Poke-genetics: Rebellion
She shot a worried look at her surroundings. The more time passed, the less trust she had in this place as a hideout, but… they couldn't leave, yet.
Misty opened the trap door and jumped in the opening.
Staying in Erika's gym any longer was pure stupidity. It was just a matter of time until Team Blast found them. All her fellow gym leaders' and herself had attacked Team Blast, there was bound to be some retaliation planned against them. Once, the members had evaded this very place. Luckily, they had not discovered their hiding place and had left, but, for long painfully scary minutes, they had all held their breath.
Again, Misty thought it was stupid. Again, she reminded herself of the reason they had to wait.
They were without news of Ash and of Genno.
Normally, that would have meant leaving this place and never trying to return. If one of them had been captured, this place was no longer safe. However, Team Blast had been unusually slow to react. It was only a small hope, but was it possible that it was because of a sudden change in hierarchy?
And so, Misty once more entered the basement, welcomed by Sabrina, Blaine and Pikachu. The later was looking over Alexchu who was playing on the ground with some sort of silverware.
A hint of pain resurged in her, but it was soon washed away by the heart-melting baby.
«Still without news of them? » Blaine asked her.
«Still. This is really nerve racking. »
«True, but we should get better hindsight on things once Surge is done. » Sabrina stated.
As Misty was about to reply, Pikachu jolted on his feet.
«What's wrong, Pikachu? »
The mouse pokemon seemed curiously agitated.
«I think there's someone in the forest over our heads. » Sabrina said with a frown.
Instantly, Misty and Blaine assumed battle stance and their hands reached their pokeballs. If someone found their hideout…
A faint voice soon echoed in the background.
«Misty…» it called.
Stunned, the leaders looked at her in her surprise while Pikachu got closer to the trapdoor. He seemed shocked.
«Misty…?» the voice erupted again.
This time, they recognized it without doubt. It was Ash's voice! …or more probably Genno in Ash's body.
Without thinking, Misty climbed up and opened the trapdoor. They had disappeared for days! Her head through the opening, she could grasp the shadow of Ash… if it was him.
«Genno? » she asked, hoping somewhere inside herself that he'd reply… something else.
Startled, the teen turned around in surprise. He couldn't hide his shock quite well and, for a second, he stayed still, staring at her.
«Genno? » she insisted.
This time, he was able to speak.
«Yeah, it's me. »
Misty didn't show her deception. It was horrible of her, but… she missed Ash already. Her heart wasn't as ready as she had told him. To stay away from those thoughts, she made conversation over trivial things.
«Why were you calling my name? You could have brought attention Team Blast's attention upon us. » she scolded.
«Errr… I… kind of forgot where the entrance to the basement was. » he said, rubbing the back of his head.
With a moody expression, she let him inside.
She didn't notice his pensive look.
As soon as he put his feet on the ground, he was assaulted by a yellow ball of fur.
«Genno! You're back! » Pikachu exclaimed with pleasure.
The hit almost knocked him down.
«Woah! I may not be for long if you keep doing that. » he protested.
«Sorry, sorry, it's the nerves. » the pokemon sheepishly said.
«Alright, forgiven. »
On the other side of the room, Blaine and Sabrina were staring at him, calculating something in the back of their mind.
«Is that all of you? » Genno asked. «Where are the others? »
They exchanged a look and nodded.
«They're taking care of the children somewhere else. We don't know the location of their hiding place, but we know for sure that Team Blast hasn't found them. »
A hint of careful planning appeared in the teen's eyes. Oblivious to the feint sign of mental activity, Misty continued Blaine's explanation.
«As for Surge, he's heading toward the television studio. »
That definitely surprised Genno.
«What? Why would he go in a public place at a time like this? Isn't Team Blast looking for him as well? »
«He said it was worth the risk… and that Team Blast would soon be unable to put its threat into execution. »
Before he could control himself, the teen narrowed his eyes at the comment.
Fortunately for him, that single mistake went unnoticed. Instead, he heard Pikachu asked him with a worried voice.
«Where's Ash? »
He had been really happy to see Genno, but he was also terrified that Ash was nowhere to be seen. He had been able to hold it for a few minutes, but that was his limit.
Pikachu saw his friend look at him in the eyes. There seemed to be a calculation in it. Why did he need to ponder about giving him news of Ash? There… wasn't any reason to… right?
With a shaking voice, he started in a way that made them shiver.
«I don't know how to say this… it's… my fault… I… I… I failed you all… When… Ash and me got in Jonathan's office… he was waiting for us… »
Misty and Pikachu were listening with the feeling that time had stopped. A twisted atmosphere had fallen on the room and was keeping them from breathing. Where… was he going with this?
When they saw tears pearl in the teen's eyes, their heart skipped a beat.
«He's dead! Jonathan shot him! »
The world broke apart.
It was a lie. It was impossible. Ash could not possibly be… dead. That was just a cruel joke. ASH COULD NOT BE DEAD!
Misty fell on her knees, clutching her chest. There was no way this could have happened!
Sabrina was at her sides, trying to comfort her. This was not good. If she kept doing that…
The sorrowful girl started hyperventilating. Her throat was too tight, her breathing was erratic.
«Misty! » Sabrina said, concerned about her worsening condition.
Sabrina had no idea of what to do. At this rate, she could suffocate.
«Misty, get a grip on yourself! » she pleaded.
She was not paying attention to any words Sabrina had said at her intention. Ash was dead! What could possibly have any importance after this?
A powerful flash of light blinded them all.
Misty looked up, too stunned to think about her pain. Pikachu was breathing heavily, his eyes full of tears, and looking furiously at Genno.
«It's your fault! » the pokemon shouted. «It was your duty to protect him! »
«You have no right to say that! » he yelled just as angrily, ignoring the pain from the shock. «You're his pokemon; you should have prevented him from going in the first place! »
The words sliced through Pikachu's anger like paper. He staggered on his feet as if he had been hit.
«That's… »
«Ultimately, you could have refused! He would not have left his son alone, but you gave him a way to escape that! »
Unable to bear it any longer, Pikachu ran away, followed by a confused Alexchu.
«Chu? Chuuuuu? » he asked while trying to catch up with his uncle.
Misty suddenly rose to her feet and ran after them.
Genno stayed where he was, looking furious, not noticing the baffled expressions of Sabrina and Blaine. Rudely, he said:
«WHAT? What is it? »
He didn't know where he was. His whole body ached. Some blurry images of someone holding another on the ground was flashing in front of his closed eyes. He was lying on something soft, wasn't he? Where was he? He… couldn't quite remember. What had happened? He had the feeling he had ran downstairs at some point and then… an intense light.
It came back to him! His mother had pinned down someone and he had heard the noise of someone breaking in… and he had been knocked out before he could do anything useful.
His mother! Was she okay?
His anxiousness gave him the strength to open his eyes.
Neglecting his spinning head, he tried to get up, only to feel a pair of soft hands lift him.
«Don't be so hasty, honey. You're still weak from that hit you've received. »
«Mom? » he asked, confused.
How could he have not noticed she was next to him? Was he really that hurt?
«I still can't believe that's really Ash. It's just… » someone else declared.
«Gary… you've seen what Team Blast has done before.» Professor Oak reasoned.
«Yeah… but… it's Ash we're talking about. He's not the kind to be so weak and be captured like that. »
Ash's jaw dropped. Did… Gary just praised him? What? Was the world about to collapse or something?
This brought a smile to Delia's lips. She cheerfully said.
«My, Gary, I knew you were fond of Ash, but not to the point of saying it in his face. »
Gary's eyes finally met Ash's. The skeptical teenager's objection blocked in his throat. That… that pikachu's gave him a familiar feeling, but… Ash? His rival would not be so easily defeated, right?
Then, he remembered the smug look on the pokemon's face when he declared he missed Ash in front of his grandpa.
Rapidly, blood rushed to his face. Oh crap! It really was Ash.
Grumbling, he sat down, next to his grandfather, trying to ignore the mocking «pika piiii.» Ash was throwing at his face. Darkly, Gary thought he had to find a way to get back at him.
«Now, now, Gary, Ash, it isn't time to revive your old rivalry. » Professor Oak intervened.
«He's right. » Delia added. «We need to think of some way to bring Team Blast down. Things are getting out of hand and, from what Ash told me yesterday, the best time to strike may be near.»
«What do you mean? » Oak asked, frowning that something had been kept from him.
Before his old student could reply, the program on the TV suddenly changed.
«I think I mean this. » she said, without losing her smile.
All three boys turned toward the machine and stared at the screen. A woman looking extremely excited appeared, almost screaming to them.
«Dear viewers, this is unbelievable! Less than ten minutes ago, someone broke in our studios to talk to Kanto. However, for his speech to be relevant, we need to show you this tape. »
The image changed without warning and switched to what was obviously amateur filming. It showed the images of a sober room looking like a lab.
However, the unremarkable room did nothing to catch people's eyes. Just like every other time the news had suddenly interrupted a program, people were glued to their television. So, the man that appeared on screen almost stumbled when he entered their field of vision.
Muttering something like «Oh, I just had to stumble for no reason when we were filming! », he turned to the camera and tried to hide his excitement.
Ash's jumped on his feet.
«Stan Folklow? »
Ignoring her son's sudden movement, Delia whispered:
«Hum… his face looks familiar. »
«It should, Delia. This is Stan Folklow, one of the poke-geneticists that escaped from Team Blast place. »
She snapped her fingers, finally recognizing the man.
Stan coughed to keep his voice under control and said, barely containing his joy.
«People of Kanto, my name is Stan Folklow and I have an extremely important announcement to make. After weeks of research, we, all six poke-geneticists kidnapped by Team Blast, discovered a counteragent to the DNA samples. »
Thousands of people gasped at the same time. This better not be a joke!
As if catching his viewers' emotions through the camera, Stan hastily continued.
«We were part of the team that had to work on it, so trust us when we say that we know what we're talking about. But I know you don't care about looking at my face right now, so we'll give you results. »
The man put his hand on the camera and shifted it to the other side of the room, where the other poke-geneticists were waiting around a pichu. Helen was talking to the small pokemon, while the others were nervously looking at the camera.
«Robert, Helen, whenever you're ready. »
They both nodded and Robert pulled a test tube containing a white liquid. It was almost disappointingly ordinary; it could have been a glass of milk for what they could see. However, when Robert poured the liquid on the pokemon's head, thousands leaned closer toward the screen to see everything.
For a moment, it looked as if it had failed.
For a moment, only.
Quickly, the pichu started to scratch his arms, as if they were aching. The scientists all moved away from the small pokemon, observing its reaction. Ash noticed in the back of his mind that none had any doubts in their eyes.
Slowly, the pokemon grew in size, his fur turning to a blonde color rather than a golden yellow. When it started to let out startled cry, its body structure was clearly changing. As the process continued, the lights were made in peoples mind, bathing their hope that it was working. Their children could be saved! Just like this one was.
After less than a few minutes, the kid was human. Sebastian was staring at his hands in amazement, an infinite joy on his face. Though, when he realized he was naked, he blushed deeply. Fortunately, Helen came with a towel and wrapped the nine year old boy in it.
The camera was once more turned to Stan's face.
«The counteragent is working. Team Blast's threat is no longer effective! »
And on those last words, he grinned of pride. The few that knew him well enough could also tell that his smile could be taken as a massive «Take that! » to Jonathan Avery.
Leaving every single citizen of Kanto stunned with hope and amazement, the image returned to the now overly excited reporter.
«That's not all! Now that we've shown you this, you need to hear Lt. Surge, the leader of Vermillion City's gym, who defeated every single member of Team Blast residing in our studio by himself! »
Once more, their television showed someone else, one who was preparing for a great declaration.
Surge wiped a little blood on his cheeks and looked at the camera.
«People of Kanto, I came here today to deliver you this piece of information. »
He was never really a man of words and he proved it once more.
«All seven gym leaders including myself attacked Team Blast a few days ago. Our action was a success as we freed every single hostage held by Team Blast. The police force of viridian city is no longer held prisoner and the children who were kidnapped were all saved. Oh, before I forget, the kids that were turned into pokemon were all gathered and hidden in a secret place out of Team Blast's reach. »
There were no words to describe the astonishment of the citizens of Kanto, but there was one to describe the burning emotion inside of Jonathan Avery: fury.
«None of you has to obey Team Blast anymore. However, if I were to say one thing you should do, it would be this: make… them… pay! »
A growing determination rose in thousands of hearts as some people descended in the streets and looked aggressively for members of the criminal organization. Oh, some of them were bitterly surprised to realize that they had no hold on them anymore and completely frightened when they knew they were about to feel the wrath of angry parents.
Once more, Surge yelled his order.
«MAKE THEM PAY! LET THEM FEEL THE WRATH OF KANTO! »
«Your orders, sir? » soberly asked a man in red and black.
«Evacuate this place immediately and move everyone to our new hiding place! There is no time to lose! » Jonathan shouted.
Those… those… ARGH, he couldn't find a way to describe those accursed gym leaders and those arrogant poke-geneticists wannabes.
How dare they destroy so much careful planning? He'd crushed them right now if he had the means, but he was not foolish enough to believe that he had a chance to fight against all of Kanto unified.
As a thought crossed his mind, he called on of his subordinate and dictated:
«Notify the group we sent after Team Rocket. As soon as they find their hiding place in Pallet Town, they are to meet us in our new location. »
«Right away, sir. »
As the member ran to follow its boss's orders, Jonathan rumbled in thoughts in anger.
«I'll make them pay… and that object will be just what I need to. »
In his own office, there was a man that looked particularly satisfied with that turn of event. Finally! He didn't have to listen to that annoying whelp next to him, but much more importantly, his son had been changed back.
Said man gulped loudly. This was a nightmare, right? He would wake up now and not be next to the man that would kick his butt!
«Paul. » the mayor said in a rumble of thunder.
Or at least, that's what it sounded to the mole. In fact, Gregor was so happy that he had talked on an extremely nice tone.
«What is it, sir? » he struggled to say.
The man stood up, dominating the traitor with all his size. As the mayor locked his eyes in Paul's, he seemed to be bigger than ever. A giant talked to him.
«You are fired. »
As he let out a pathetic cry, the giant's fist made contact with his jaw, effectively knocking him against the wall.
While the pain erupted in him, Paul could hear his ex-boss say with a smug grin.
«Oh dear Mew! I wanted to do that for so long. I mean, sure the drug was satisfying, but nowhere near as good as beating the crap out of you. »
«You drugged me? » he replied in indignation.
His outburst was met with the strongest kick he ever felt. His gut definitely felt weird now.
Far from going soft, Gregor was not pulling back his punches. Paul was unable to move after two hits!
«Please… » he said in a shiver of fear.
The mayor looked at the man as if he was the most disgusting thing he ever saw. With a sight, he landed a final hit that made him unconscious.
«Good, now I can work full time on that project. »
They were alone. They had been stuffed into those makeshift cages and imprisoned in the back of that truck. It was as if there was a great urgency… almost as if…
Marco evaluated the situation. The members had all looked as if they were in a rush. This could just be them being zealous, but he doubted it. Most likely, there was something they feared if they stayed in the hideout.
The advantage of being a ditto was that you had no trouble seeing in the dark. The disadvantage was that you could go crazy with those kinds of eyes. For now, it wasn't what preoccupied him. No, it was Genno. The teen was sleeping, in human form, but it was far from peaceful. From times to times, he would start shouting, yelling in fear or pain.
Every time one of those freak out happened, Marco would grit his teeth, unable to do anything to calm the boy. Under those screaming, he could not be heard and he could not make physical contact with him… though he doubted he'd appreciate it. Janes… knew what she was doing. He was going crazy… or was already.
He observed Genno. Was it fair for someone to go through that? Could someone deserve to go through what he was going through?
«Janes would. » he thought. «Jonathan would also, seeing as it's his son that he gave her. »
It fed his rage. He had to get him away from them!
Repeating those thoughts in the dark, Marco didn't hear the first sign that his wish would come true.
At first, it was just a strong noise.
Then, it became more of a whistling through the leaves of the trees. A whistling that grew stronger and stronger.
And finally, it became the explosion that knocked down the truck they were in.
«What the? » the red ditto shouted.
He almost bit his tongue as his curse was cut short by the collision between his cage and the hard ground.
The glass shattered, freeing its prisoner.
As he looked around, he saw that Genno was also free, but the teen was laying there motionless.
Marco let out a well-deserved curse and ran toward Genno, which was still sleeping. His relief was cut as short as his curse when he saw the amounts of cut he had gotten from the shattered glass.
«Even with all those, he's not waking up? Man, Janes sure knows how to redefine pain. »
Another shock shook them from head to toes.
«What's happening out there? »
His question was answered when a fourth of the truck was blown away, freeing them completely. Without asking any other question, Marco shot a look outside and kept his surprise to himself.
An unknown group had attacked Team Blast's procession in the middle of the woods. What's more, the intruders were in a shockingly huge numbers and were attacking with a ferocity only found in fanatics.
As a man was sent flying toward them, Marco analyzed his outfit: he was wearing a green uniform, completed by a design of white stripes forming an odd «K».
«Who are they? » he thought. «I've never seen them before… well, no matter, we need to use this distraction. »
Without a word, he transformed into the knocked out man, quite ripped actually, and turned toward Genno.
«Now is our chance to salvage what is left of you. Just don't start screaming. » he pleaded.
Gently, he lifted the sleeping teen. When he was sure of his grip, he dashed through the fighters and escaped in the forest, hoping to escape his old organization.