Chapter 17: The Devon Corporation

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AgitatedDog9288: Yeah, Sapphire sure hates them. And yes, I agree it is unhealthy, but let's be honest here. How many times have we been mad at our own parents for things, large or small, and instead of letting things go we just let that anger fester? Sapphire is just the kind of person that has trouble letting negative things go, be it a loss or anger. I tend to be the same way - If I get an A on a test in one class and then bomb another one in my next class I'll quickly forget about the A, but when I have another test I'll cram like crazy because I can only remember the bad grade. Dancer doesn't know Teleport. It's a bit confusing, since Sapphire has two Ralts. Dancer is the female, normal colored one, and is about level seven. Dancer's also in the Pokémon Center because she was KO'd in the fight against Taryn. The Ralts that is currently with Sapphire is Sword, the shiny male one, who is about level 11. I suppose Sword could teleport her back, but after a fight like that Sapphire decided to let him rest up a bit.

Disclaimer: I got a bunch of Pokémon Plushies for Christmas. Does that count? No? Oh well, I guess that means that I don't own anything official!

Happy New Year everyone!


"Well well well, someone's in a bad mood." Shelly said as Taryn walked into the briefing room, a black scowl on her face. The Captain was in a foul mood, having not only battled to a draw with Alpha but also having gotten a report from Eduardo. Apparently Alpha had found him in Rusturf Tunnel with the Devon Corporation parts that they had been ordered to steal, as well as that old man's Wingull that they had swiped from the cottage on Route 104. To make a very long story short, they had battled and Eduardo had lost. "Did someone fail her mission, perhaps?"

"Save it, Shelly, I'm not interested in hearing you lecture me." Taryn snapped. "Besides, you weren't exactly successful in raiding Proffessor Birch's lab."

Shelly pouted slightly as Taryn slouched into her chair. The third Team Aqua Admin, an extremely buff man named Matt, laughed.

"Ah, she's got you there, Shelly." He said in a good natured tone, causing Taryn to smirk as Shelly's face turned a lovely shade of purple.

Their various emotions, however, quickly faded as the door slid open and their leader walked in. His name was Archie, and though he was not as heavily muscled as Matt he nonetheless cut quite the imposing figure in his bandanna, pants, boots, and trench coat. A gold anchor with a keystone set in the center of it hung from his neck. As one the three admins snapped to attention, though they relaxed just as quickly when Archie acknowledged their presence.

"So, what are your statuses regarding the missions I assigned you?" He eventually asked.

"Professor Birch woke up while I was trying to steal the starter Pokemon." Shelly muttered in distaste when she realized that the other two weren't going to speak up. "I'm planning on trying again in a few days."

"I found a lead on the location of both Latios and Latias, but I need more time to pursue it." Matt added sheepishly. "I'm supposed to meet my source later today."

"And what about you, Taryn?" Archie asked, rubbing his temples as if it would prevent the growing sense of frustration that plagued his brain.

"...Sorry, I ran into a problem." Taryn muttered.

"And do tell, what problem was that?" Archie inquired, disappointed in all three of his most promising recruits.

"A girl that called herself Alpha." Taryn replied, clenching her hands into fists. "She came out of nowhere and beat Eduardo in a battle, and then we fought to a draw. She's no ordinary trainer, that's for certain."

"Why do you say that?" Matt wondered aloud.

"She has a Poochyena that knows Fire Fang." Taryn had a scowl on her face. "A Sneasel that almost managed to take down my Makuhita, and then a shiny Beldum that somehow knows Iron Head, Iron Defense, and Zen Headbutt. Not only that, I just received a report from Eduardo. Apparently she also has a shiny Ralts."

"And she managed to tie with you?" Shelly said incredulously. Much to her chagrin, Taryn had no choice but to nod once, acknowledging her near defeat. Archie frowned.

"We'll have to keep tabs on that one." He decided. "Matt, I want you to pursue that lead. Capturing Latios and Latias are of the utmost importance to our plan. Shelly, I'm reassigning you.I want you to take care of our business in Fallarbor Town, and then meet me at Mount Chimney. Taryn, I want you to go investigate the ruins that we heard about on Dewford Island. After that you will be rendevous with me in Slateport, and then continue on to the Weather Institute after we have dealt with things there. Any questions?"

"No sir!" Three voices rang out. Archie smiled.

"Then let's not waste any time." He said. "The sooner we expand the sea, the better this world will be."


Sapphire sighed as she walked into the Pokemon Center once more, waiting by the counter. Nurse Joy was there, and thankfully Brendan and May were nowhere in sight.

"Can I help you?" The pink haired lady requested as the loner came to a stop in front of the counter.

"I was hoping to check on the status of my Pokemon." Sapphire replied, giving the nurse her false name. Nurse Joy quickly pulled up the records, and adopted a somewhat sad look on her face.

"I'm sorry, Alpha, but your Pokemon probably won't be completely recovered until tomorrow." She said. Sapphire sighed, but had expected an answer like that. Truth to be told, she was lucky it was only taking a couple of days rather than a few weeks, which is how long the girl had feared it would take.

"Okay, thank you." She said before taking a deep breath. She had had a rather crazy idea on her way back to the city, and even now she couldn't believe that she was going to follow through with it. It was ridiculous, to be certain, but if the girl kept on running into Team Aqua she had to get stronger. "I was wondering if I could register for the gym challenge here."

"Certainly." Nurse Joy replied with a smile, pulling something up on the computer. The process only took a few moments - Sapphire just had to input her name, age, and a few other things before the process was finalized. The head nurse of the Pokemon Center handed over a small pamphlet with information about the challenges and a badge case, as well as a trainer card that displayed the name of Alpha on it. "You're all set to go. Good luck!"

"Thanks." Sapphire replied curtly before stowing the items in her bag and walking out the door.


The girl walked around the industrial city for a while, taking note of the location of the Pokemon Gym. According to the sign, the leader Roxanne was a user of Rock Types. That was good information to have, she'd be able to plan her team accordingly. Wind would have to sit this one out, but Swampy and Shade would be quite useful in this challenge.

She had to duck down a side alley to avoid Brendan and May as they came walking out of the gym, badges held in hand. They looked rather proud of themselves, and their partner Pokemon were beaming with pride. So, they too were taking the gym challenge. As if it wasn't risky enough already. Now Sapphire had to worry about running into those two brats as well.

Luckily for her, they vanished in the opposite direction. Sapphire heaved a sigh of relief before continuing on her walk, eventually bumping into someone she recognized. Wingull cawed loudly, almost as if he were laughing at her.

"Hello, Tristan." She said to the older man. He was looking rather panicked, as if he had misplaced something, and jumped a few feet when the girl spoke to him. Recovering his wits, he quickly greeted the girl. Sensing that something was wrong, Alpha asked him what was on his mind.

"Was it really that obvious?" Tristan wondered with a sheepish grin. "That one Team Aqua member from the forest came up behind me while I was heading for the Devon Corp and robbed me of some very important parts that I was to take back to headquarters. The owner will be extremely upset that I've lost them."

"They wouldn't happen to be in here, would they?" Sapphire inquired, holding up the briefcase that she had taken from Eduardo. Tristan's eyes lit up and he smiled, reaching out to grab the parts.

"Yes it is!" He cried. "I don't know where you managed to find them, but I'm glad that you got them back!" Sapphire shrugged, as if to say that it hadn't been a chore. But Tristan insisted on thanking her somehow, and gave her a couple of Great Balls before asking if perhaps she would like the tour of the Devon Corp building. Seeing no harm in it, Sapphire agreed.

The building was rather interesting - hundreds of computer cubicles with friendly workers were littered on the second and third floors. The first floor had a reception area, where a couple of middle aged women were happily chatting with some of the other visitors. In the basement were labs where the company developed and tested their newest products, but for confidentiality reasons Sapphire wasn't allowed down there.

Finally after about 20 minutes of looking around, Tristan led her to the top floor of the Devon Corporation. Requesting that she wait by the stairs for a few minutes, he then walked out of view. Sapphire was left to stand awkwardly in the room which, from what she could see of it, was like a study or an office. A few minutes later, Tristan came back.

"Our president wishes to speak to you." He informed the girl. "I can't tell you how grateful I am for what you have done for our company, and I'm certain that our president feels the same way. If you'll come with me, please."

He lead the girl over to a desk, where a distinguished looking man in his mid to late forties sat. He wore a reserved blue suit with a red tie, and his hair was colored a slate gray.

"I'm Mr. Stone, the president of the Devon Corporation." He said by way of greeting. "Tristan here tells me that we have quite a bit to thank you for, Alpha."

"I didn't do anything special." Alpha replied evenly. "Anyone else would have done the same thing that I did."

"Nonsense, you helped out my staff not just once but twice." Mr. Stone said. "I simply don't know how to thank you."

"I don't need to be thanked." Sapphire really didn't want anything, particularly if it meant that her picture would get out on the news and such. "Tristan gave me a Beldum already, that's plenty of thanks.

"In that case, there is one other reason why I wanted to speak to you." Mr. Stone said. "Now, I want you to know that I am a president that you can trust. I'd never be so arrogant as to ask for a favor without repaying it."

"Do you want me to do something for you?" Sapphire inquired. President Stone nodded, before sliding something across his desk. That something turned out to be a letter.

"I want to ask you to deliver this letter to a man named Steven. The last I heard of him he was in Dewford. There's an old man by the name of Mr. Briney who lives out on Route 104 who should be willing to take you to the island. And if I'm not mistaken, that is his Wingull you have there. I'm certain he'd be happy to have him back.. And I know that you wish to have no reward, but please, at least take this for your services."

With that the man reached into one of his desk drawers and pulled out an envelope. He handed it to the girl, telling her it was her payment. Sapphire looked like she was going to protest, but then thought better of it as she felt the cash through the envelope. It would greatly replenish her depleted stores.

"Thank you very much, sir." She said as she stowed the two envelopes into her bag. "I'll be sure to deliver the letter. You can count on me, sir."


And we are done! Next chapter will be Alpha's first gym battle. Who's excited, because I know I am! But perhaps some feedback might help me write. if you agree with that statement, then you can leave any constructive criticisms, compliments, or comments in a review! Peeko will be putting out any and all flames by using Water Gun!