Chapter 5: Cold Logic
He absolutely fucking loved this city! Huge crowds, tall buildings, a seedy underbelly, and the sweet, sweet smell of pollution; what wasn't to like about Castelia City? Unova's largest metropolis was a giant playground for people like him, and absolutely overflowing with opportunity. In more ways than one, he reminded himself as he passed a woman wearing a tank top one size too small.
A dark visor obscured bright green eyes that constantly surveyed the mass of people around him. His destination was the park in the north-most part of Castelia, where trainers would be practicing or sparring with one another. A gloved hand reached up and ran through his slicked-back red hair, almost as fiery as his personality. People told him his pointy face and lanky build made him look slimy and underhanded. He liked to think he was literally sharper than every nimrod that had the misfortune to cross him. And ho boy was the world full of nimrods…
He reached the park and stood near a vending machine to watch the battles. He noticed a girl with a Jolteon fighting an older boy's Krookodile. The Jolteon should have been outclassed, but the savvy trainer not only taught it Magnet Rise but also Signal Beam, and with his superior speed and improvised immunity to ground type moves the swifter eeveelution won the match. He watched the girl squeal in joy and run up to hug her pokemon, who nuzzled into her embrace. It would have warmed the cockles of his heart, if he gave two squirts of piss about shit like that.
She returned her pokemon and started to walk away. He left his spot, angled himself, and walked right into her. "Sorry about that," he said, hands touching her waist for a moment to push away. "Guess I wasn't watching where I was going. 'Suppose I could have run into worse people; at least you're cute."
The younger girl winced. "Um…thanks, I guess. Don't worry about it; I should have been looking where I was going too."
The older man's grin was downright predatory, and it sent a shiver down her spine. "Say, why don't I make it up to you? Let me buy you a drink; maybe we can get to know each other a bit? My treat."
The young trainer shook her head. "Um, no thanks. I just turned eighteen, and you're creepy. Goodbye."
She quickly turned and ran into the crowd. His smile broadened, and he reached into his pocket and pulled out a red-and-white pokeball. "Shame you said no," he said as he casually tossed the ball up and caught it repeatedly. "I might have let you have this back. Assuming you was a good little girl, of course." Not that he had any intention of doing anything with her anyway. The lecherous perv-thing was just an act to scare her away before she realized her Jolteon was now his Jolteon. By the time she calmed down, he'd be long gone. Even if she put two-and-two together the visor obscured his face and "tall with red hair" wasn't enough information for the police to find him. Not that he was overly concerned about the police to begin with.
Besides, "barely legal" wasn't his thing.
He started walking towards a random city district. They called people like him "Pokemon Poachers," hunters known for their ability to track down and capture rare pokemon. You'd assume with a name like that, most of the pokemon he captured were wild. In practice he and his colleagues were more like "Pokemon Mercenaries", hired to obtain whatever target the client wanted so long as the price was right. Rare was rare after all, and to the group he worked with it didn't matter whether or not the captured pokemon was wild or stolen. Unfortunately for the girl, "Jolteon" was on his to-catch list, and so her partner had to be sacrificed to the almighty god that was his bank account. The booze and hookers it would buy him would not be in vain.
His XTransceiver rang. He pulled it out and saw a new message from a client he and his colleagues did a lot of business with. He skimmed the message, ignoring all the self-important fluff, and eventually found the name of his target. A pause. He re-read the message, one part hoping he'd misread something, the other hoping to maybe find an explanation.
With neither forthcoming, he typed a reply. Bullshit. Give me proof or give me some of what you're smoking. He sent his message and ten minutes later his Xtransceiver rang again. It was a video this time, and the poacher immediately hit "play." It was shaky and the resolution was crap, but what the video showed was clear as day. He wanted to think it was doctored somehow, but why waste his time with something like this unless his client believed—no, knew it was genuine?
The poacher chuckled. "Well, well, you learn something new every day. I guess I'm headed to Virbank." Chuckling, he put away his Xtransceiver and started walking south towards the docks. He needed to make a few phone calls, and then he had a boat to catch …
The morning after their victory against Cheren, Alex asked to rest up his ankle for a few days. Lucario agreed, and Alex found himself lounging inside the Pokemon Center while Lucario trained on Route 19. In truth, what Alex really wanted was some time to cope with what happened. His getting a trainer's license was a dream-come-true, but his father disowning him was a nightmare. He dreaded being alone, and spent most of his time talking to the nurses or other trainers in the lobby. On several occasions, when Lucario was gone and there was no one to talk to, he found himself in his room crying.
Unfortunately for Alex, the Aura pokemon wasn't great company. Lucario wasn't a very social creature, he realized, and tended to keep to himself. To his credit though, Lucario didsometimes try to talk to Alex—ask how he was feeling or make a comment about something he saw that day—but the blond could tell he wasn't used to carrying a conversation. Each time he tried, the blue jackal would quickly give up and retire to his corner by the window, or leave to do more training.
One night, deprived of anything more meaningful to discuss, Alex asked Lucario to describe his trainer. Lucario agreed and shared everything he knew. His name was Richard Barrett, but most people called him Ricky. His hair is black and his eyes are brown, and Lucario remembered him being tall for his age and more than a little on the thin side. He should be about twenty, and when Lucario was around he had a Drilbur and a Mienfoo. Lucario couldn't remember anything else worth mentioning, and Alex said that was probably enough.
After a long period of silence, he thought of another question. "Hey Lucario…what was your trainer like?"
The Aura pokemon didn't answer immediately. He was…strict…very, very strict. He always had this air of cold logic to him and never really acted his age, but every now and then something else would poke through. Lucario closed his eyes for a moment, lost in an old memory. I remember one time, after a trainer battle, he took us all out for ice-cream. We were in Castelia City at the time, and he got us those Casteliacones everyone talks about. Even though I didn't win my match up, he told me I did a good job, better than I'd ever done before. I could feel that he meant it, and at the time it made me so happy...
A bittersweet smile stretched across his face. Alex internally winced; he didn't mean to make Lucario sad, but he had one more question. "How did you deal with it…? I mean…that day, when he left you…does it ever stop hurting?"
The Aura pokemon looked at Alex. He thought for a moment, and then said with finality, …no, it doesn't. Eventually though…you kind of learn to live with it.
Alex nodded. It wasn't the answer he wanted to hear, but it was the truth and that was good enough.
They left Aspertia the next morning. They traveled Route 19 in a day and, for obvious reasons, didn't stop in Floccesy. It was weird leaving his home town a second time, even weirder knowing he might never come back. Alex chose not to think about it and focus on his goals: find Lucario's trainer, become Champion, and, most importantly, enjoy every damn minute of his journey. Alex couldn't think of a better way to spite his old man.
During that time, they ran into a few wild pokemon and even battled a few trainers. Most of the trainers were rookies and Lucario had little trouble dealing with them. A few of them even had Purrloins, which Lucario defeated with gusto. That fight with the one wild Purrloin must have really gotten under his skin…
It took them almost a week to reach Virbank City. They left the gatehouse and blinked as green forest immediately shifted to steel and concrete. It wasn't as impressive as Castelia, but Virbank was definitely one of the more industrial cities in Unova. Part of that had to do with the refineries south of the city, an area the locals dubbed "Virbank Complex." The other part was due to Pokestar Studios, home of Unova's most famous stars and longest-running film franchises. Alex made a note to try and take a tour of the studios. If he was lucky, maybe he'd run into some of his favorite actors.
Much like Aspertia though, sightseeing would have to wait. Lucario wasn't really hurt, but he did have a few battles that day and they reasoned a trip to the Pokemon Center was called for. In the meantime, they continued the conversation they started earlier, namely when they would challenge Virbank's gym leader. Virbank had a relatively new leader too, and Alex admitted he didn't know much about him or her. Lucario thought he remembered hearing she—it was a she—used poison types, and they agreed if that was the case with Lucario's typing it probably wouldn't be a hard battle.
"Still though…" Alex began, "I'd kind of like to find another pokemon before we challenge her. We probably wouldn't need it, but at least I could start working on raising it for other battles."
Lucario nodded. Why does it have to be before this gym? he asked. There's a lot more pokemon near the other cities and you'd have a better pick of possible team mates.
Alex shrugged. "True," he said, "but I kind of wanted to use someone different for this gym. No offense Lucario, but considering how strong you are and your typing, using just you here…well, it kind of feels like cheating."
Lucario looked confused. Why do you say that?
"Well…you aren't my pokemon," Alex said matter-of-fact. "I mean, yeah, I guess I'm okay at coming up with stuff for battles, but I didn't actually train you. I dunno…it's complex and I'm not sure how to explain it."
Lucario understood what he was getting at. It was one thing to direct a strong pokemon in battle, but another to actually train the pokemon to be that strong. The Aura pokemon reminded himself that both of them had something to prove.
Alex switched to a different topic. "So, the weather feels nice. It's a little colder than usual because of the ocean, but I've always kind of liked the cold."
Lucario frowned. I never really liked the cold. I especially didn't like it when I was living in the forest in the winter. There were a lot of times when I went into the city and snuck into somebody's house just to warm up for a bit…and maybe swipe a snack or two. Lucario looked shifty for a moment and Alex snickered. You humans and your houses, it figures you'd like the cold.
Alex shrugged again. "I guess I've never thought about it like that. I've never camped out in the winter before, so maybe I'll change my tune." A playful grin swept his face. "I bet a lot of people were surprised to find a Riolu hiding in their basement eating their food. They must have loved you."
Lucario folded his arms and pretended to be indignant. I'll have you know I was only chased out of a house with a broom five times, thank you very much, he said while sticking out his tongue. Alex started laughing and Lucario laughed with him.
Suddenly, something small and purple ran past them on four legs. It was a Purrloin, they realized, and somehow they knew it was the same Purrloin from Aspertia. Then they noticed a pamphlet of some kind in her mouth.
"Hey, get back here!" someone shouted. "Louie, stop her before she gets away!"
Something blue and yellow ran by faster than Alex or Lucario could react. To their surprise, another Lucario appeared in front of Purrloin. The new Lucario gathered blue energy between his paws and then shot a sphere of aura. The purple cat responded by forming a Substitue, and as her body-double absorbed the blow she used Copycat and sent her own Aura Sphere right back at him. The other Lucario didn't have time to react and the attack erupted into a ball of bluish flame and sent him sprawling into the dirt. Purrloin promptly ran away, seemingly laughing, as the Lucario picked himself up and rubbed a comical amount of black soot from his face.
By then the stranger caught up and stood next to Alex gasping for breath. The teenager noticed he had a messy head full of brown hair and wore a white T-shirt with olive-green overalls. "Damn it, she done got away again!" he cursed as his Lucario, Louie, returned just as dejected. Then for the first time he noticed the other Lucario and his trainer standing next to him. "Sorry about that!" he said in an upbeat, but nervous manner. "I hope I didn't scare ya' or anythin'. It's just that I've been chasing that damned Purrloin all mornin', and it's about the fifth time we've come close to stoppin' her."
"Er…no problem," Alex replied. "So, why are you chasing a Purrloin anyway?"
The brown-haired stranger grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "I suppose I should introduce myself. The name's Donny, and I work over at Pokestar Studios." He held out a hand to Alex, who promptly shook it. "I train the stunt pokemon, like Louie here, and occasionally run an errand or two for the directors. I was runnin' over a script for a new movie when that damned Purrloin went and stole it! I'd only sat it down for a minute, just to get some coffee. Damned purple-haired, green-eyed little—!" Donny took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said, "So yeah, that's been my mornin'. How about you?"
"Well, my name is Alex. Me and Lucario were headed to the Pokemon Center when Purrloin ran past us, and I guess you know the rest…" Alex thought about something and added, "Hey, why don't we try to get the script back for you? We're pretty sure we know that Purrloin and might be able to talk her into giving it back."
Donny looked ecstatic. "Damned if you wouldn't be doin' me a huge favor! Seriously, I'd really appreciate the help!" He pointed south, the direction Purrloin fled, and said, "The only place she could have gone is Virbank Complex. You'll know you're in the right place when you see all the construction equipment and tall grass. There's a bunch of steel and fire type pokemon runnin' around, so be careful, alright?"
Alex nodded and turned to face Lucario, who was having a conversation with Louie. "Hey Lucario, you want to go find that Purrloin and get their script back?"
Lucario, who was consoling a dejected Louie, turned when called and mentally projected, Sure, I don't mind. Alex nodded, told Donny they'd be back soon, and the two ran south towards Virbank Complex.
It was just as Donny described. Large, complicated machinery hummed loudly. Different kinds of storage containers were connected by catwalks and workers scuttled across them like ants on a table. They observed a few Magnemite here and there hovering in the grass, propelled by the large magnets hanging off the side of their spherical metal bodies.
It was noisy and chaotic; finding Purrloin would take a while. Alex quickly grew bored and looked for a way to break up the monotony. "So, what was that move the other Lucario used? The big glowing ball-thingy I mean?"
That was Aura Sphere, Lucario answered. Humans and pokemon sensitive to aura can channel it into a concentrated sphere and use it as an attack. It's supposed to home in on the opponent's aura and never miss.
"Sounds useful," Alex replied. "How come you didn't use it in your battles against Cheren?"
I… don't really know how… Lucario admitted. Alex gave him a look, and he sheepishly added, I never learned how, okay? I've always been more comfortable using physical attacks, and I've never really figured out how to use my aura for anything beyond aura-sight and telepathy.
"But one of your attacks uses…never mind." Alex put his hands behind his head. "I guess it's something we can work on later, after we find Purrloin." He then started grinning. "You know, it's funny, now this Purrloin has taken on two Lucario in a fight and held her own. I'm half-tempted to try and catch her. Just imagine: Purrloin, bane of Lucario the world over, at my command."
Lucario was not amused. A horde of Scolipede. All of them angry. At you. If you think I'm joking, then try me.
During their conversation, they wandered into the southern-most part of the complex. It was a small cliff overlooking the sea, with railing in place to prevent anyone from falling off. Alex was about to call Lucario's bluff when something rustled in the grass in front of them. Purrloin popped out, script held firmly in her mouth, and regarded the two with playful eyes.
"Hey Purrloin," Alex said as he tried to creep closer to the Devious pokemon. "Could you please give us that script? That guy, Donny, really needs it and is going to get into a lot of trouble if we don't bring it back." Alex rummaged through his bag and pulled out some leftover berries Lucario picked for his breakfast. "I've got some yummy, yummy Oran Berries I'd be willing to trade you for! You can have them if you give us the—"
Alex was interrupted by the script smacking across his face, cat-drool and all. Purrloin meowed to Lucario while Alex wiped off cat-spit and put the script into his backpack. She says she's not impressed by the baby talk, Lucario translated once he had the teenager's attention. Also, she says tormenting the Pokestar guy was fun, but she's bored now and probably would have given the script back later. Emphasis on 'probably.'
Purrloin meowed something else, and this time Lucario's eyes widened. He barked something at her and she replied by meowing coyly. Lucario growled and Alex asked, "What exactly did she say to you? It sounded a little personal."
The blue jackal folded his arms indignantly. She said she wants to battle you. She knows you're a trainer now, and she wants you to try and capture her. Lucario pretended to look thoughtful. She said some other things, but I'd rather not translate. Personally, I think we should just knock her out and be on our way.
Alex thought about it for a moment. "I don't know…this is the third time we've run into her. If I don't capture her, she'll probably just keep following us." Alex shrugged. "Besides, she's pretty good in a battle and she could be a big help." What he didn't say was the fact a pokemon actually wanted to be captured by him made Alex feel much better about himself as a trainer.
Lucario growled and looked even more indignant than before. Eventually, though, he sighed and said, Yeah, I guess you're right. I still don't like it though.
Alex patted Lucario on the head, which made the Aura pokemon grumble even more. "It'll be alright," he said. "You still get to beat her up; you just have to make sure not to knock her out before she's captured." That placated him somewhat and Alex turned to address the wild pokemon. "Alright Purrloin, are you ready?" Purrloin nodded and crouched into a fighting stance. Lucario likewise readied himself and awaited Alex's command. "Alright Lucario, start off with an Ice Punch, then follow up with Bullet Punch. Go!"
Lucario ran forward, one hand wrapped in ice, the other coated in steel. Purrloin created a Substitute to absorb the first attack, but was sent flying by the second, faster Bullet Punch. The purple cat landed on her feet and used Double Team right as Lucario used Bullet Punch again and surrounded the blue jackal in a circle of illusionary clones. Rather than wait for Lucario to find her with his aura-sight, Purrloin started attacking with Copycat-enabled Bullet Punches. She would strike Lucario, disappear into the circle of Double Teams, and then attack again from a different angle before he could respond and break the Copycat chain. This continued for several more blows before Lucario finally managed to dodge.
Alex saw his opportunity and yelled, "Lucario, before she lands, hit her with Force Palm!"
Lucario obeyed and sent Purrloin flying with Force Palm. The attack did a lot of damage and the influx of aura seemed to stiffen her joints. However, the Devious pokemon grinned and used Copycat to rush him with her own variation of Force Palm, grateful to have a super-effective attack to use.
"Lucario, endure the blow!" Lucario crossed his arms and activated Endure right before Purrloin hit him. The attack wouldn't have KO'd Lucario regardless, but it did mean Purrloin couldn't use Force Palm anymore. Purrloin leapt away and stood panting. Alex knew she was too tired to use Double Team or Substitute. Perfect. "Alright Lucario, finish her off! Hit her with High Jump Kick!"
Lucario leapt into the air, high above Purrloin's head, and descended on her feet-first. Purrloin freaked out and activated the only move she could. Via Copycat, she used Endure right before High Jump Kick connected and sent her sprawling across the battlefield. She staggered to her feet, barely conscious and pushed to the absolute limits of her endurance.
Now! Alex flung a pokeball, which hit her with a light bip and swallowed the purple cat in a flash of light. The ball shook once…twice…three times…
Click!
Congratulations. Purrloin was caught, Lucario said dryly.
Alex ignored him and slowly approached the pokeball. He bent down, picked up the ball, and held it reverently in his hand. "I did it…!" he said to himself. "I caught my first pokemon! Wahoo, I caught my first pokemon!"
Someone started clapping, the sound a loud thud of white leather smacking against itself. "That was a splendid performance Alexander," the newcomer said in a sweet and even tone. Both human and pokemon turned to face the voice, and Alex realized it was Colress. "That was a clever strategy, baiting the Purrloin into using Endure to survive the final blow. That all but guaranteed the pokeball would work and capture her. A little unnecessary, given how tired she was after Force Palm, but clever nonetheless."
Alex didn't notice, but Lucario started trembling the moment he saw the scientist. Colress, for his part, did notice and stared with gold eyes into fierce red and smirked. Lucario immediately straightened up and projected to the teenager only, He called you by name, Alex. How does he know who you are?
Before Alex could respond, Colress asked with fake geniality, "Is this the Lucario you told me about back in Aspertia? My, my, such a strong-looking specimen. I'm sure his missing trainer will be overjoyed when they're reunited."
You son of a bitch. Lucario was still shaky, but anger overrode the bulk of his fear. He placed himself between Colress and Alex and projected to everyone, You leave him out of this. You already know it's me, so whatever you've got planned cut the crap and do it already.
Colress chuckled. "My, my, so hostile... Relax Lucario, I don't have anything 'planned.' I am but a simple traveler now, exploring Unova and observing the world around me."
That didn't placate Lucario, who glared at the scientist and growled. Alex, for his part, looked immensely confused. "Um, what's going on?" he asked. "I thought you two didn't know each other. Didn't you tell me so back in Aspertia, Colress?"
Lucario didn't give him the chance to answer. He lied. Alex, you know about Team Plasma, right? This guy was their leader. Alex went slack-jawed. Colress just smiled, as calm and affable as ever. He experiments on pokemon, trying to find different ways to make them stronger. He doesn't care how he does it, even if it means physically altering their bodies or manipulating their minds. I know this because Team Plasma captured me a few years ago and I saw it firsthand. He's a monster Alex.
"But I…you…he…what?" Alex didn't know where to start. Lucario was captured by Team Plasma? Colress was the leader of Team Plasma!? The fact he'd talked to—hell, gotten advice from—somebody like that sent shivers down his spine. The fact he didn't want to believe it terrified him even more. "Colress, I thought you said you were a scientist!"
"I am," Colress replied evenly. "Team Plasma needed a leader, and I needed resources to conduct my experiments. Remember what I told you back in Aspertia, about mankind and limitations?" Colress tapped his head with his finger and added, "As Lucario said, my research is primarily in bringing out the maximum potential of pokemon. Team Plasma craved the power this and my other research could provide, and I needed test subjects and capital. It was a natural partnership."
Alex trembled, but unlike Lucario it was with rage, not fear. "You…horrible…how could you!?" He pushed past the startled Lucario, fists clinched, and yelled at Colress, "Those monsters nearly destroyed the entire Unova region, and you sided with them just so you could conduct experiments? Who the hell do you think you are!" Alex gestured to Lucario, as if to make a point, and said, "Pokemon aren't tools to be used. They're living beings, just like you and me, and deserve to be treated with respect. You don't have the right to manipulate nature like that!"
Colress roared with laughter. It was joyous, mirthful, and genuine. Somehow, that made it even more unnerving. "Marvelous; simply marvelous!" Colress eventually calmed down, and a playful smirk replaced his normal smile. "You know, it's funny…you remind me of a young man I met three years ago in Castelia City. He felt the same way you do, and had this uncanny ability to bring out the inner strength of his pokemon." Colress sighed and seemed to lose himself in a distant memory. "As fate would have it, he'd go on to defeat Team Plasma, with a little help from myself. I was curious you see; pokemon raised by trainers are always stronger than their wild counterparts, but somehow what he did went beyond even that. In the end, we dueled in Team Plasma's stronghold. I held my own, naturally, but in the end he defeated me and I agreed to disband Team Plasma."
Alex considered what Colress just said. Two years ago, Team Plasma was beaten by two young trainers, one of which went on to become the Champion of Unova. It dawned on him just how absurdly strong Colress' pokemon must be if he was able to hold his own against one of Unova's Champions. Suddenly, he felt less brave than before.
Colress' smirk widened at Alex's dawning realization. "While I respect his opinion and would be hard pressed to argue against his results, I disagree with the basic idea behind it all. 'Not my place to manipulate nature…?' Young man, mankind has always manipulated and dominated nature." He held out his hand and started counting down an imaginary checklist. "We clear forests for our cities and strip the earth of its metals for our technology. We create items such as Life Orbs and Focus Bands and elixirs such as Proteins and Calciums which enhance a pokemon's fighting prowess. Most importantly is our relationship with pokemon themselves!" Colress adjusted his glasses, producing the intimidating glare Alex saw back in Aspertia. "There are many creation myths that claim that in the beginning, humans and pokemon lived in perfect harmony. I believe that this notion is a farce, and if not for mankind's indomitable will these creatures would have ended us long ago. You of all people, Alexander, should know that."
It took him a moment, but Alex realized he was referring to the Scolipede. "That's not the same though! She was just defending her child; it's not like she wanted to attack me!"
"And yet, were it not for Lucario you most likely would have perished," Colress replied. "Face it, we bent pokemon to our will and made them our allies. We turned our greatest enemies into our most valuable assets." The scientist became calmer than before and spoke softly. "Pokemon make mankind stronger, and in return mankind strengthens their pokemon. However, it seems to me lately that the relationship has become lopsided." Colress paused, smiling when he saw he had their undivided attention. "I feel that pokemon give more to humanity than the other way around. As I see it, the only way to bring balance is for mankind to devise new ways to bring out more of their power. If that means playing loose with the laws of nature, or even competing with the likes of that boy, well…" Colress grinned, "I always did love a challenge."
Alex wanted to respond, but he couldn't think of anything to say. As warped as his goals and ambitions were, there was a cold, undeniable logic to everything else he said. He couldn't argue.
Satisfied by the boy's silence, Colress began to walk away. "It was nice seeing you again Alexander, Lucario, but I'm afraid I must be leaving. Don't worry though; I'm confident we'll cross paths again. In fact, I look forward to it."
Alex started after him, but Lucario grabbed his arm. Alex, don't, he said. I'm not strong enough to beat his team, and I don't know what he would do. Please…
Red eyes stared pleadingly at him. Lucario was afraid, really, truly afraid. Alex relented and agreed not to go. Something was bothering him though. "Lucario…is there something else you're not telling me?" Alex asked. "I mean, finding out you were kidnapped by Team Plasma is kind of a big deal and you were really scared..." Something occurred to him, and he asked, "He didn't experiment on you, did he…?"
No, he didn't, Lucario replied quickly. I managed to escape before he could do anything to me. It was probably around the time the trainer he was talking about stormed their stronghold. I remember there being a lot of commotion at least. The Aura pokemon pointed to Alex's backpack and changed the subject. We should probably go return that script. We've been gone a while and I'd imagine they want it back.
Alex agreed, but privately wondered what else Lucario might be hiding. That entire meeting was just absurd, and the knowledge the ex-leader of Team Plasma was stalking them did little to calm his nerves. Alex took a deep breath. Should they go to the police? Come to think of it, why didn't the Champion turn him in when he took down Team Plasma? Maybe something else was at play here, something neither he nor Lucario knew about. Or maybe Colress managed to trick the Champion the same way he'd tricked him back in Aspertia City.
Alex shook the thoughts from his head. There would be time to reflect on this later. Both human and pokemon left Virbank Complex, took a quick trip to the Pokemon Center to heal up, and headed to Pokestar Studios.
Author's Note: I have a feeling only a few of you will read the walls of text below, so I'm going to go ahead and say thanks for reading and please let me know what you thought!
Anyway, Alex is silly for asking Lucario how he dealt with his trainer Ricky abandoning him. Yes Alex, ask the pokemon hell-bent on vengeance by beating the entire Pokemon League and curb stomping his old trainer along the way how he coped with being abandoned/disowned by said trainer. Dummy.
In regards to Colress, I realized after I already wrote this chapter that technically Colress pulls a Heel-Face Turn after the end of B2/W2 and that my portrayal of him here somewhat conflicts that. Normally I'm a stickler for following cannon, but Colress as a character just doesn't make any damned sense to me in the games. He's a scientist studying how to bring out the potential in pokemon, and it's somehow a surprise to him that being friendly to the damn things makes them stronger? Literally everybody and their mother rants and raves about the bonds between humans and pokemon, so Colress somehow not catching on makes zero sense to me. So, I'm taking some artistic license and shifting him into a true neutral, mad-scientist archetype with a dash of manipulative bastard and god complex thrown in that is aware of the Power of Friendship but wants to find a way to surpass it because damnit Jim, he's a scientist and it would give him a nerd boner to figure out how to surpass fucking friendship. If it upsets you, pretend he's lying to/manipulating B2/W2's protagonist.
(Why yes, I do browse TV Tropes!)
Why use Colress at all, I hear you ask? Well, I like how they handled Colress in the anime (at least in the one episode I watched because I was curious—the episode where he mind-controls Meowth from Team Rocket) and I like the ideas behind Colress' character (an impartial scientist willing to play both sides to achieve his own goals while being a skilled battler in his own right). My issue is in the execution and the way they explain his motivations.
