Poke-genetics: madness
Ash was sitting, his mouth wide open, as he saw the poke-geneticists succeed, followed by Surge's declaration.
It had been a success! It had worried him for a long time, but now he knew: the operation had succeeded. They didn't have any hostages now and it seemed like they had all gotten out safely.
He really hoped appearances reflected reality for once.
A sudden thought hit him. What about Alex? He was safe with Pikachu, but… he missed him and hoped his son was not too sad about his absence. Mew! How could he have done something so irresponsible? He didn't even think about it yesterday! What kind of father was he?
«Better than mine, at least…» a voice in his head said.
Was he really better than his father? His dad left, but it was to help them get over a financial crisis and then he had been stuck as a member of a criminal organization, unable to leave. Even now, he had caused so much trouble for Kanto, ignoring the pain he brought upon thousands… just to make sure he and his mom were safe…
«I miss you, Alex. » he whispered.
Ash felt miserable. He had gone with the others because he had to evacuate his mixed emotions. He was not better than his dad…
Feeling the sudden depression of her son, Delia tenderly stroked his head.
«Don't worry, Ash. No matter what the problem is, we'll find a solution. I promise. »
Ash's eyes fell on her and her smile. It left him with a warm feeling in his chest. He had been away from her for so long; he had missed her and her constant good mood.
«Yeah, and with me to help you, it won't take long. » Gary added.
Ash almost sweatdropped at that, but he managed to just smile weakly.
«Typical…»
«Talking of problems… » started Professor Oak.
They all turned toward the old man.
«There is still the problem of Team Rocket being around. Shouldn't we try to deal with them first? »
«We need to find them before we can do anything. » objected Delia. «No one even caught a glimpse of them since the time they were defeated. »
«Actually… » Gary replied with a grin. «I sent my pokemon to find them. They are supposed to come back today to report. With Ash able to write, we'll know exactly what we'll have to face and how to prepare accordingly. We'll know soon enough if we can finish the job the rest of Kanto started. »
Gary's statement left Ash wonder. Genno had told him that Team Rocket had already begun its operation in Pallet Town when Marco asked for its destruction. Was it possible that they had found the artifact that his father had talked about? If so, why didn't they use it to regain control of Kanto? It was supposed to be a really powerful relic of ancient times or something like that, no? By beating Team Rocket, they could get a hold of that object. If they had it, maybe they could stop Team Blast all together. He could finally save Alex's mother.
«In that case, let's go back to Prof. Oak's lab. I'll talk to my pokemon. » Ash declared.
Seeing the interrogative looks on their collectives faces, Ash grumbled a curse under his breath. He really hated it when no one understood anything he said.
Fortunately, they all followed him to the computer room.
Alexchu was following his uncle. Why was he running so fast? The little pokemon did not understand and he was starting to feel tired. For a second, he wondered where his dad was.
«Chuuuu! » he complained, wanting to catch his uncle's attention.
His plea fell in deaf ears.
Pikachu was too hurt to even notice his best friend's son behind him or Misty that was not too far behind for that matter. He was in complete denial.
Ash could not be dead! That was just plain impossible! They all lived so much together! Genno had to have seen wrong!
«He has all-seeing eyes… » reminded a part of his mind.
«NO! He probably made a mistake when he looked at him. It probably happened when he managed to escape. »
«If he did, then why isn't Ash with him? » it once more replied.
«That's… » Pikachu tried to answer, but the pain twisted his throat.
It couldn't have…
Wait! There was something wrong! How did Genno escape from Team Blast hideout? The place was in full alert and Sabrina's alakazam was gone at that point. He had to face his father and Janes was not too far. How did he do it?
Pikachu stopped without warning, causing a panting Alexchu to bump into him.
«Chu! » he said, annoyed.
There was something that didn't work here! It was completely stupid and probably immature of him, but if he could find even the slightest thing that was false, maybe…. maybe Ash was alright after all.
He turned around, facing Alex and Misty, who had stopped in surprise. She looked furious at the sudden joy on his face, but he could not explain it to her. Instead, he said it to Alex, who was sulking at his uncle for that race and the crash.
«Smile, Alex. Your father may be okay. We just have to get back to the gym and face Genno! »
Not really understanding Pikachu, Alex stood there with a confused look on his adorable face. This made Pikachu smile. It was such a mad hope, but it was still hope and it was enough to make him see the bright side of things.
«Oh, just cling to my back and I'll bring you back. » he said while crouching.
Familiar with that movement, Alexchu joyfully jumped on him and grabbed his fur.
«Are you read…»
«Well, well, look what we've got here. » an unknown voice declared.
Pikachu and Misty jolted in surprise and turned around to see half a dozen of men and women in red and black uniforms.
«The Cerulean gym leader and the Ketchum kid's pikachu. That should earn us a nice reward. »
Before Pikachu or Misty could react, one of them threw his pokeballs, revealing a golem and a tangela.
With a frightening speed for its kind, the golem jumped toward Pikachu.
Normally, he would have charged in and attack, but Pikachu was too conscious of the terrified Alex on his back. With a sidestep, he dodged in the nick of time.
«Pikachu, on your left! » Misty yelled.
Pikachu's head spun to his left, only to see a pair of tentacle heading for him. His reflexes alone allowed him to jump out of the way in time.
«Tch, both pokemon are types that are strong against electric types. It's just my luck that I can't go into a melee while Alex is on my back. » he mentally cursed.
«Starmie, use Hydropump on that golem! » Misty ordered.
The star-shaped pokemon spew water at the rock-type, only to see a watortle block it.
«What? » Misty exclaimed.
«You did not think we'd only bring a rock type against the water gym leader, did you? Which reminds me… » a member said.
The woman threw another pokeball, this one containing an electivire.
As if that was a signal, every other member threw their pokeballs, calling their pokemon to the fight. Back against a wall, Pikachu and Misty were staring at the group of pokemon in front of them. How could they get away?
«Tch, we may not have gotten Sabrina, Blaine or Surge, but we won't fail at getting you three! » a man said.
«Don't say unnecessary things. We'll capture everyone in due time. » a blonde woman interjected.
«We will, Sarah. » a blonde one assured with a smile.
During the exchange, Pikachu had glanced at his surroundings. There had to be a way to escape. In the corner of his eye, he saw something that completely shocked him.
«You said it, Elizabeth, we're going to get them. » the black-haired woman replied with confidence.
She was in for a surprise.
Their attention was all focused on their soon-to-be-prisoners, so when they were struck, they were completely unprepared.
A man came out of nowhere from behind them and had hit a member with a bat, effectively knocking him. As the member fell on the ground, everyone's eyes turned to the guy, all unable to understand what had just happened. Angry, one member shot a murderous look at the man.
«You've just made a big mistake, you idiot. This city's children will all pay for your insubordination. » he threatened in a hiss.
At that, the man started to laugh. The member who had just talked felt his jaw fell. What the…?
Paying no attention to Misty and Pikachu, the man just yelled.
«HEY! I FOUND SOME TEAM BLAST MEMBERS! COME HERE IF YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM A PIECE OF YOUR MIND! »
The members could not believe their ears. Was that person mad?
Unfortunately for them, madness was dangerously contagious that day.
Soon, a mob of angry citizens gathered and cornered the small group, leaving them baffled.
Misty and Pikachu immediately used this opportunity to flee undetected by their enemies. Not too long after they started running, they heard a few screams of pain and angry yelling. They gulped down, trying not to imagine what could happen to those back there.
To get out of the awkward silence between them, Misty tried to be cool-headed.
«Okay, Pikachu, we need to decide on what we're going to do. »
«We have to go back to the gym and face Genno! …and try to find out Sabrina, Blaine and Surge if what they said is true. »
Unfortunately, Misty didn't understand a word of his.
«If only… Ash was… » she struggled to say, starting to sob again.
«No, Misty, don't! » Pikachu shouted.
It was not the time to be depressed, especially when there was a chance that Ash was alive… No, not just a chance, he had to be!
The outburst caused Misty to calm down, realizing subconsciously what the pokemon had said. She had to be strong… at least until things were over… after all, Ash wouldn't want her to…
No! She had to stop thinking about that! If she did, she'd collapse on the ground and never stood up.
She wiped her eyes to clean her vision and with determination, she declared:
«We're going to check up on our friends in the gym, then… we'll go see Delia. »
Ash took a step toward the door. Why was he so nervous? They were his pokemon, of course they'd listen to him.
Right?
He swallowed loudly, allowing Gary to notice his state of mind. The boy opened the door and waited, leaning on the doorsill. He knew exactly what to say to ash to make him forget his hesitation.
«Come on, Ash, they're your pokemon. If you were a good trainer, they'll listen to you. Well, it's true that said this way, I'd be nervous if I were in your shoes… » Gary remarked with a smug face.
What? Gary did NOT just tell him that! He felt his anger rise inside him and reach his head.
«Argh! I'll show you how good of a trainer I was! » he yelled at his old rival.
His burning anger moving his limbs, Ash walked through the open door and went into Professor Oak's garden.
He shot a wary look at the woods surrounding them. Had they been followed? Hopefully, the darkness of the night was now enough to warrant their security, he was out of breath.
Marco kneed to the ground and delicately let go of Genno.
The teen lied there, sleeping, completely obnoxious to the dangerous situation that they had escaped.
Breathing heavily, Marco contemplated his protégé. Why had he taken such a sudden interest in him? Irony of the fate probably, as seeing his son, or at least his son's body, had reawakened something inside him. This kid had brought back memories he cherished more than anything, he couldn't let him fall.
After a certain moment of interrogations, Marco went to gathered things to make a makeshift camp.
There was a voice whispering to his ears, a voice he did not recognized, but that was terrifying.
«Oh Genno, it's time to playyyyy. » it echoed in his mind.
Genno eyes were shot open.
…Where was he? It looked like… a forest. Why was he here?
The noise of a heavy breathing made him gasp. He frantically looked around himself, only to see an unknown man next to him. As slowly as possible, he backed away, trying to get some distance between that stranger and him. When his hands made contact with the ground, he felt something akin to dry paper.
«Are those… leaves? »
Genno paused for a second. If that person was an enemy, why bother with making him a bed? Did that person… save him? Did that mean that he wouldn't…
His whole body began to shake at the thought.
…play with Janes anymore?
«Oh, I can't let that happen. » the same voice whispered joyfully in his ears.
This time, he knew who it was: Janes.
That simple name was enough to reduce him to tears. The sight of her slowly emerging from the shadow of the trees paralyzed him.
«No… » he begged. «No… no… please… I don't want to play with you… »
His tone was that of a child, afraid of some invisible creature lurking in the dark.
Hearing the teen talked to her that way made her shiver in pleasure. Oh, she just couldn't get enough of it.
«Genno. This is one of the rules: the game is only over when I say it is. »
At the mention of her rules, he broke apart. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, NO! Rules meant that he'd be punished. He didn't want to be punished.
His tears were rolling down his cheeks.
«Gennoooo, you remember my first rule, riiiight? » she asked, as if talking to a young child.
He looked down at his body. He started to hyperventilate. He was wearing clothes! That was against her rules!
«No, please! I didn't know we were playing! PLEASE! NO! DON'T PUNISH ME! » he yelled.
Pouting as if she was sorry, Janes walked toward him, getting closer and closer.
«I'd say that I have no choice, that the rules are the rules, but really, I'm only doing this for fun.» she declared as her face was distorted by another grin.
Genno curled up on himself, only for him to be lifted and pinned down against a tree. Prey of a limitless panic, he tried to struggled out of her grip, without success.
Her smile just widened as she took one of her knives.
Marco's sleep was cut off by the most terrible human scream he ever heard.
«Genno? » he said as he got to his feet.
Instantly, he spotted the teen screaming a few feet away from his bed. Marco ran to him, only to gasp in shock.
The teen was mutilating himself! He was scratching his face with his nails!
«GENNO! » he screamed, trying to cover the teen's own ply of help.
Genno arched suddenly, ripping his t-shirt barehanded, making Marco jump backward. Instantly, Genno stopped screaming. In their stead was numerous pleas for the pain to stop.
«Genno! We're alone! »
The tears and the begging didn't not stop. They just intensified as Genno rolled to his sides, curling on himself.
«Please, mistress. I'm obedient. Please… m…my love… »
After he muttered those last words, Genno had to put a hand on his mouth to keep himself from puking. Instantly, he started begging louder, his tears flowing more and more.
«No… I didn't mean to… NO! Please! »
Genno jolted on his feet and slowly backed away.
«I… it was… NO! »
He suddenly grabbed his right hand as if in pain and fell to his knees. His breathing heavier than before, he begged with that same pathetic voice.
«Mistre… my… my love… »
His hands found their way to his face.
«MY EYES! PLEASE! DON'T DO IT AGAIN! DON'T MAKE A MASK OUT OF MY FACE AGAIN! » the teen yelled in panic.
His eyes expressed horror once more and he fell on his back by himself, screaming.
«MY LOVE! MY LOVE! PLEASE! DON'T HURT ME ANYMORE! I… I LOVE YOU! »
After the echoed of his screams had died out, Genno was no longer panicking, just crying, his face in the dirt.
«I… said it… please just… leave me alone. »
When he felt a pair of arm surround him, Genno first tried to get free. However, the grip on him was firm and… comforting. It was not her burning embrace… it was just a gentle warmth.
«It's okay. » the stranger said. «She's not here. You're free…»
Free? Was this word supposed to mean something?
They were silent, shadows moving between shadows under the pale moonlight. They were numerous, they were about to strike their enemies. Their group was taking places around the hidden camp, waiting for a signal to fight and conquer.
Two shadows met each other, whispering under the darkness.
«Is everyone in its place? » the first asked.
The second only bothered to nod.
The first paused for a second, then talked once more.
«In that case, return to Gary and prepare yourself. We're going. » Ash declared.