Poke-genetics: Counterattack
Pokemon in the forest near Cerulean City had learned in the past few months to quickly run away whenever those humans in red and black moved in groups. In those times, they were dangerous and many pokemon learned the hard way not to stay in their path. They were prisoner of glass boxes now.
«Faster everyone, we need to get to the right place in the next fifteen minutes. »
The captain was executing her leader's master plan.
In his office, Marco Blaze was looking at the reports he received from the cities hit by the wave of poisoned pokeblocks. He felt like burning those sheets of paper, but he knew better than to let his emotion control him. They were going to know their pain, he repeated. He had sent two groups, a very small one was to go to Viridian City to collect what he ordered them to and the other, a massive group, was to move away from Cerulean City's forest and get ready to strike the fools that refused his offers.
«Genno, I think it's them! The troops from Viridian City are at the entrance of the city. »
The teenager looked where his friend told him and saw the huge group of police officers. If they weren't here for Team Blast, he hoped it wasn't for him.
Or else he was utterly screwed.
«Let's go meet them. We don't have that much time. » urged Pikachu. «If Team Blast caught rumors of our movements, it'll be over before it even started. »
The police officers first told them this when they met them:
«Move, there's nothing to see. »
«Huhum… we're the one that'll guide you to their place. »
The police officer's jaw dropped.
«You're the spy that infiltrated Team Blast's headquarters? »
«You know what they say: looks can be deceiving. And in my case, that's pretty useful. » Genno argued with a smile.
«But… you're just a kid. »
Ash sulked. He was sixteen, not ten. His body didn't look that young, did it?
«If you want a proof… follow me there… mister…? »
«Jerry. »
Genno guided him into a dark alley.
«Close your eyes. »
The man looked at him skeptically.
«Just do it, I'm not strong enough to do anything funny. »
His skeptical expression didn't leave his face, but he closed his eyes nonetheless.
Under the incredulous eyes of Ash and Pikachu, he transformed.
«Are you crazy? » they asked.
«You can open your eyes. » he said with a much deeper voice.
When the man opened his eyes, he didn't believe it. He was seeing himself.
Genno had an arrogant air of triumph on his traits.
«Convinced? » he inquired.
«There must be a trick! »
«Of course there is, but I won't tell you. Close your eyes again. »
Mechanically, the police officer obeyed and Genno returned to normal, in other words, he became Ash again.
«Since I can see the back of your molars, I'll guess that you believe me now. Now, where is Officer Jenny? »
«She's… nowhere to be found. We had given her a vacation and she was not seen for a few days now. »
This was curious. Was it because of Stan's kidnapping?
«In that case… we'll leave for Team Blast headquarters right away. » Genno said.
«The entrance is that way. » he whispered.
They were very close to Team Blast hideout. Genno, Ash and Pikachu on his shoulders, Jerry and two other officers had a brief meeting.
«From what I saw, Marco's office is the farthest place away from the entrance. It's on the third floor, after the computer room. The second floor is one massive lab where the prisoners are sent to work, especially the poke-geneticist they captured a few weeks ago. The first one is where we'll have to fight. There are two rooms which looked like barracks on each side of the first corners. A bit further, there's the dining hall and believe me, it's huge. If we're lucky enough, there won't be a lot of people there… but we can't count on luck. On the other side of the dining hall, there's a corridor which leads to the cells. Unfortunately, it's filled with lasers and we need a key to deactivate the system. »
«So, we can't free them before we get to Marco. » Jerry summarized.
«No, and we can't operate any elevators without the fingerprint of a member. »
«There's a way to trick this kind of system. Leave that to us. » One of the two other policeman said.
«Alright, so we'll go down and attack the barracks. Then, we'll use one of our newly made prisoners and operate the elevator to Marco's level. »
«What if there isn't someone with the right fingerprint? » Genno asked.
«We'll try the same thing as for the entrance, but it might not work. In that case, we'll have to hack into the system to operate forcefully. »
«There's another problem. The elevators are small. Eight in those is cramped. »
«We'll have to send our most powerful fighters first then. »
«Both of you, choose three police officers known for their skills in pokemon battle and one with expert gun mastery. »
Jerry turned toward the three boys.
«Are you sure you want to come? This is going to be a hell lot more dangerous than just breaking in. There will be actual fighting down there. »
They didn't falter.
«Of course, we'll come. We vowed to destroy them. »
Jerry had a strange look in his eyes. What could Team Blast have done that bad to them?
«Very well, prepare yourselves. »
The first group didn't have any trouble with the elevator. With a simple trick of powder and glove, they managed to fool the digital gel.
«High technology can't always beat the older. » a guy joked.
When the door opened, they jumped on the guard, rendering him unconscious before he could utter a sound. They tied him up and waited for the rest of the troop to arrive.
They were sleeping. They had been part of the operation yesterday and neither Sarah nor Elizabeth felt like chatting. Elizabeth was sleeping and Sarah thought of their years as kids. It was not a happy period of their life. The two best friends had lived through poverty for as long as they could remember, but they were always there one for the other. One time, as their stomachs were asking for something to be filled with, the two small girls swore to escape from poverty, no matter the means they'd have to take.
Around the time of the creation of Team Blast, they were getting desperate. Elizabeth had fallen sick and they couldn't afford the treatment. As Sarah was falling in the abyss of despair, she ran in the streets and broke through the first store she saw. Before she could be caught, she had already escaped… but not without the camera witnessing the crime.
The first thing she did was to pay the bill for the hospital and they began immediate treatment. The next morning, she was in jail.
It was there that a man visited her. He asked her why she stole and she answered honestly. The man looked like she was interesting and asked her if she'd do it again. Just like before, she honestly answered: «Yes, I'd do it again for Elizabeth's sake. »
The man just smile and opened the cell. He declared that he had paid for her to be released on bail.
«Why are you doing that? »
«Because I'm like you. Would you like to join my organization? »
It had been easy to answer. Elizabeth understood and joined with her. They discovered that Team Blast cared for its members and it protected them. The shadow of poverty that followed them all their life had disappeared.
Not long ago, they thought they might be thrown out of the team. At first, when Sarah heard that Elizabeth had run away with the keys, she couldn't believe her ears. It was non-sense.
Fortunately, a simple call to the operator of her squad revealed that she had been with the operation all along. Understanding, Marco didn't punish them and they swore loyalty to him again.
A muffled noise echoed in the room. Sarah immediately woke up her friend.
They weren't fast enough.
The force had secured the barracks. Very few members were still in them, so it was not a harsh task.
«Barracks secured. » reported a police officer. «Our men are moving toward the elevator and the dining hall. »
«Go in the dining hall before, there might be someone hidden in there. Did you capture any team member? »
«No member had the time to defend himself; most of them were asleep when we attacked. »
«Very well, send a few men to test their fingerprints. »
«Right away, sir. »
They entered the dining hall. It was completely deserted. There wasn't even the trace of their presence.
«Search for any hiding member! » Jerry ordered.
As the men invaded the room, Genno looked around. There was something wrong with this place. The last time, most of the members were there. Now, there wasn't a soul… was there that much criminals going for Lavender Town and Fuchsia City? He hoped they'd be fast enough to capture Marco, so there wouldn't be any assault on these places.
Wait… it wasn't the fact that it was deserted. It was something else! What was it?
«Guys, get off my shoulder. » he whispered. «I'll transform where they can't see me. »
«Why? »
«If my hunch is right… »
Without waiting, both Pikachu and Ash jumped from his shoulder and landed on the metallic ground.
Discreetly, Genno walked backward toward the corridor from which they arrived. He was about to disappear after the corner when Ash suddenly said:
«I feel… weird… »
Genno got next to his friend and observed him carefully.
«In which way do you feel weird? »
«I'm… dizzy. My head's spinning. »
Pikachu added:
«It's like… I can't find my balance anymore. »
«Everyone! Call all the pokemon with healing abilities you have right now! Team Blast is trying to put us to sleep with gas! » Genno claimed.
In one coordinated movement, the officers called their pokemon. In a matter of seconds, you could hear the men and women giving the orders to use Cure and Recover.
«This is bad. » whispered Genno.
«Kid, how do you know that? »
«My pikachus began to feel weird as soon as they touched the ground. Since they are the only ones being affected, I deduced it was either something affecting only pokemon or something that that was not reaching us. The problem is: I'm not feeling that well since we entered this room. Some gases are heavy enough not to ascend. They'll stay near the ground until there is enough in the room. »
«You should be working for the police, kid! »
«That's what I'm doing right now. »
«Aww, so touching. » the voice of a woman echoed. «It's just a pity the gas didn't work. You've got a good intuition, boy. »
Ash, Pikachu and Genno looked horrified. That voice…
Janes!
And behind her, hundreds of members were teleporting into the dining hall with psychic pokemon.
«Mister Dexter… »
«What is it, Paul? » the mayor of Viridian City asked.
His advisor looked at him with pity.
«I persist in saying that attacking Team Blast is a bad idea. »
«And I persist in saying that now is the only chance we'll ever get. We know the location of their hideout, they are busy with Lavender Town and Fuchsia City and they think we won't do a thing. What more do you want? »
«Sir… » he said with a weak voice.
«They are already attacking. Why are you telling me this now? »
«Because… » the advisor began. However, he stopped looking reluctant, his posture straightened and a sly grin took place on his face.
«…I've been ordered to. » he completed evilly.
Five men in red and black erupted in the office and jumped on him.
Gregor Dexter roared in rage and he charged them. He threw a powerful punch that made one of his opponent fly to the wall. They all looked alternatively at the man that stopped moving and at the mayor. Suddenly, they weren't as sure as before and the traitor swallowed loudly.
«What are you waiting for, you idiots? Get him! » he ordered.
The mayor got out of his boxing posture and kneed another member… but got hit on the cheeks. He countered with an elbow to that guy's stomach and was punched in the guts himself. He was knocking another member with an uppercut when Paul said:
«Machoke, go! »
The fighting pokemon ran toward the mayor with the intent to grab him.
The machoke did not believe it. The man had caught both his arms and was trying to push him away!
«This is ridiculous…» uttered a stunned Paul.
Gregor was pouring all his strength on his lower body, preventing the machoke from moving him.
One of the members was smart enough not to stare. He ran toward Gregor Dexter and kicked him behind the head.
The mayor of Viridian City fell to the ground.
The fight was one-sided. Taken by surprise, lots of police officers were knocked out before they had the time to react. From then on, it was more of a game for the members of Team Blast.
A deadly game.
The officers that weren't taken out were fighting viciously and desperately. Those that made mistakes on Team Blast's side did not all wake up to tell the tale the next day. After a few lost on their side, Team Blast used its numerical advantage to its fullest. Officers found themselves surrounded by various pokemon and members, often alone in the middle of a circle.
This was not looking good at all.
Jerry and Genno were fighting Janes with all their might, but it wasn't enough. The horrible woman was a dangerous foe and her team of pokemon was terrifying.
«Alakazam, Confusion on Jerry. »
The man got lifted from the ground and was unable to move.
«Tyranitar, Hyper beam on the pikachu to your left. »
Ash was sent flying to a wall.
«Dragonite, Dragon breath on the kid. »
Genno fell to the ground.
«CHUUUUUUUU! » yelled Pikachu as he tried to use Thunderbolt on her.
«Wabbuffet, do your thing. »
The powerful attack rebounded and knocked Pikachu out.
In but a few moves, she had taken them down. She had a disappointed look on her face.
«Oh, cuties… you're so fragile… and here I thought I could have a little fun. Oh well, since none of you died, I'll be able to play with you later. You'll be my little servants. »
«Never… » replied Genno.
«We won't serve… you! » Ash said with difficulty.
«Oh… but you won't have a choice… after all, a pokemon's duty is toward the trainer that caught it, isn't that right? »
Their blood froze.
«Ash Ketchum, well-known pokemon trainer. » she stated as she looked at Ash. «Genno Avery, son of the remarkable poke-geneticist Jonathan Avery. » she said as she turned toward Genno. «Don't you boys know what would happen to you if you got caught? »
«H… how…? » muttered Genno.
«I thought that pikachu of yours was strange and when I realized the defense system in your father's lab had used up the solution; I added two and two together. As for you, I knew from the very beginning. I was the one to throw the solution at you! »
She smiled cruelly.
«Now then, let's cut the chit chat and do it. » she said as she got two pokeballs out of her pockets.
She moved her arm backward to use the momentum.
A ball of yellow fur tackled her.
«Aaaaah! » she exclaimed as she got lifted from the ground.
She made a backflip mid-air and fell on her feet. She was only hurt slightly.
«That's not nice of you, Pikachu. Dragonite, take care of that little runt! »
The dragon pokemon roared and flew toward Pikachu. The mouse pokemon dodged with a quick attack and Volt Tackled the Alakazam.
A few meters away, Ash was trying to speak.
«Ge… Genno. Are you still… conscious? »
«… Barely… »
«Can… you… transform? »
«…maybe… once… »
«Good… now, listen… to me… »
Pikachu was running around at full speed, much to Janes's displeasure. «That cute little pikachu was well-trained, Dragonite is not fast enough to catch it… oh well, it won't make a difference. » She was about to give the order when a ray of light got caught in the corner of her left eye.
«Oh… you can still do that? You must really be used to being a ditto now, boy. »
Genno's shape changed. He was standing on his feet, painfully. His body was that of an Alakazam.
«That's a nice effort and all, but it won't help you. Tyranitar, Hyper beam. »
Genno barely dodged by jumping to his left. «It's now or never. » He concentrated and used the move he needed.
«You dodged that? It seems you still have a little fight in you. Oh, boys, there's a thing I don't like too much. It's to repeat. »
Her claim fell as a death sentence.
«It-won't-help-you. Tyranitar, Hyper beam again. »
Genno flew over the attack and his eyes glowed blue. His injuries were gone.
«You… used Recover! How clever of you. I like it. You're a more interesting snack now. » she declared with the smile of a predator.
Genno didn't care what he was right now. He used Confusion and both Ash and Pikachu were transported toward him. He looked sadly at Jerry. He couldn't help him. He didn't have the strength or the time to free him from Alakazam's own confusion.
«I'm sorry. » he whispered.
Neither Janes nor Jerry understood him.
«Dragonite, take them down. »
As the dragon pokemon was flying toward them, Genno focused and used another move.
Under the wide eyes of both humans and pokemon, all three of them disappeared. Genno had used Teleport.
At her counter, Nurse Joy was thinking of what medicine she could use next to speed up the recovery of the unconscious pokemon when an Alakazam carrying two injured pikachus appeared next to her.
The Alakazam was crying.