Chapter 14: Face to Face

The next day, we then set out once again for Sunnyshore City. From the sound of the name, it seemed like the city would be a nice place to visit. I then had an idea. Since we would be staying there for some time, I thought maybe Dawn and I could officially go on our first date. I could get some reservations, and maybe we could also see a movie.

"Just don't forget she has a contest to do," Pikette said in my thoughts. I looked to her and glared, wishing she wouldn't do that, while she just smiled her usual innocent smile. Despite this, I decided to go along with it.

"So Dawn I was wondering," I then said. "Since the contest won't be starting for another two days by the time we get there, so I was thinking maybe the two of us could on a date?"

I was greeted by a hug, almost strangling me. "Oh Chris, I would love to!" Dawn said happily.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say there was something going on between the two of you," Ash said jokingly, while Pikachu laughed. But that would prove to be a mistake once he noticed Dawn was glowing red behind them.

"SO WHAT IF THERE IS!?" Dawn yelled. "THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM IS IT!?

"No, not a problem at all!" Ash said pleadingly on the ground.

"Pika pika pika!" Pikachu said.

"Good," Dawn said, getting weird looks from both Brock and I.

"Note to myself, make sure the restaurant is at least 4 stars," I thought. Pikette giggled at this.

Finally, after a somewhat interesting morning, we then took a break and had lunch.

"So Dawn, are you planning on using any other of your Pokemon for the contest?" Brock said.

"That's a good question," Dawn said. "I have a lot to choose from. I guess I could use Ambipom again, although my possible other choices are Pachirisu and Buneary. Oh no! What if it ends up being a tag battle? Oh, this is more confusing than I thought!" Dawn said, putting her hands to her head.

"Don't worry Dawn," I said. "It's not as difficult as you think. Just give yourself some time to think about it."

"You're right," Dawn said. She thought for a minute. "Well, I did use Pachirisu and Buneary last contest, and seeing that Mamoswine isn't willing to cooperate, he may not be the best choice either." Dawn said, sighing. "I'll choose Ambipom then."

"Even if it was a tag battle, that's still a good combination," Brock said.

(A/N: Okay, now we have another song part, and you better listen carefully to what I'm saying. The name of the song is Lux Aeterna by Clint Mansell. Now before you go off looking for it, remember it's not the one you hear in the trailers, it's the original song, the one that goes slowly. Just making sure everyone knows that. And keep it going despite the scene change.)

"Hey Pikachu, what's the matter?" Ash said suddenly. We looked over and saw Pikachu had a scrunched look on his face, as if in pain.

Brock then went over and felt Pikachu's head. "He doesn't have a fever, so maybe he's just feeling sick to his stomach." He tried to pick Pikachu up, but Pikachu remained rooted to the spot.

*All of a sudden, a high-pitched sound rang through the air, making all of us cover our ears.

"What is that!?" Ash said, almost screaming.

"I don't know, but it's hurting my ears!" Dawn yelled.

I looked around while holding my ears. I didn't see anything that would be the source. I then started to notice I was starting to lose consciousness, as well as everyone else. "Dawn!" I said, grabbing her hand.

"Chris... what's happening?" Dawn said, as she fell to the ground.

I looked around once more and saw nothing. Suddenly I was drifting out of consciousness, and right before I was gone, I could feel myself being brought to my feet.

I then woke up, feeling groggy. I noticed that I was strapped to some metal chair by my hands and feet. I was in some sort of laboratory, surrounded by all types of equipment. I then looked in horror as I saw that I wasn't alone. In large chambers rested many types of Pokemon, big and small.

All of a sudden, the machine next to me went off. "Applying subject with nanomachine technology," a computerized voice said.

"What?" I said. I tried to break out, but the constraints seemed to be remote-activated. The machine then sent a needle right into my neck, injecting me with something. "What have they done to me?" I thought.

(A/N: Sorry to cut that short, but I have another song here. And yes, it's another LOZ song. The song is called "Zant Asks Midna to Join Him." See, this is what happens when you're a Nintendo fan.)

"So I see you're finally awake," a voice said. I looked around and then saw a pair of glowing eyes looking at me. Once the figure walked towards me, I saw that the person was wearing a mask. (A/N: Think like those masks from Killzone.)

"Who are you, and what the hell did you do to me?" I said angrily.

"Hmm, I see we're not in the best of moods," said the man, amused. "I am Dietrich Adler, and you have just been given one of science's greatest breakthroughs in technology. Your body will soon be enhanced, allowing you to hear, see, and smell better. You have become the perfect soldier."

"But why me?" I asked.

*"A very good question indeed," Adler said, "We see potential in you. We wanted to make you what you were born to be: a soldier. We need your help, Chris."

"And why would I want to help you?" I said. "I know you're part of Sector 7."

"Indeed, but you seem to have the wrong opinion of us," Adler said. He then walked over to one of the chambers, this one consisting of a Growlithe. "You see, we know the people of your world love Pokemon, but when it comes to actually seeing one, people tend to feel happy and excited, or even scared and frightened, meaning that people would want to kill them. Oh yes, I know very much about your world, the species that live there are dying off slowly, due to human mistakes and greed. That's why I believe we need to establish a new order where Pokemon and humans live alike." The Growlithe had woken up. Once seeing the man, it growled and pounded against the glass. Adler behind his mask smiled. "Of course, some are still not willing to be cooperative," he said, taking out a remote and pressing a button.

I looked in horror as the Growlithe was electrocuted, grimacing in pain. After a couple of seconds it stopped. The Pokemon fell to the floor, but still had a look of pure hatred at the man. "If you seriously think I of all people would want to join you, then you're insane."

Adler chuckled. "It wouldn't make a difference whether you wanted to or not. The nanomachines, including the ones in your body, react to mind control, allowing us to control your mind and body at will. The Pokemon may not want it but will be forced under our rule, and once the chance comes, we will establish a new order in not just this world, but yours as well."

I then noticed how I was starting to lose consciousness again.

Adler had noticed this as well. "Hmm, seems like the side-effects are starting to show. Oh well, it was nice to meet you finally and hopefully we'll find good use for you in the future."

My vision was getting cloudier, and darker. I then passed out from where I was fastened.

After some time, I had some occurrences of waking up but not knowing where I was, but once again I was being dragged by someone.

Finally, I was able to wake up fully. I opened my eyes and saw Ash, Dawn, Brock, Pikachu, and Pikette looking down at me.

"Good to see you're finally awake," Ash said, smiling.

"How are you feeling?" Dawn asked.

I rubbed my head, which hurt rather badly. "I've been better," I said. I realized it was nighttime.

Dawn then hugged me, once again a little too tight. "I'm just so glad you're okay," she said, tears coming to her eyes. "We were worried about you?"

"What do you mean?" I asked. "What happened?"

"Well, we had passed out from that sound, whatever it was," Brock explained. "Once we woke up, we saw that you were missing."

"We tried looking for you for hours, but had no success," Ash said. He then looked over. "Luckily, that man brought you to us."

I looked over and saw that there was a man, sitting next to a campfire. I then got up, still a little groggy and went over to him. He, however, did not look at me. "I guess I owe you one for saving me," I said.

"Don't even say it, kid," the man said, looking at me and then I realized it was the man we had seen in Michīna City, David. "You might want to sit down since you're not quite a hundred percent yet."

"Right," I said. I looked at him, realizing he no longer had the trench coat. I then noticed something else, a rather familiar looking insignia. "Green Berets," I said. "You're from the U.S.?"

"Obviously," the man said. "I've been working undercover here for some time, helping the government search for the agency Sector 7."

"So the government does know about them," I thought. "So how did you find me?"

"I had sneaked in, taking out one of the guards and using their equipment. I found you and then got you out of there. Truth is, I had been working undercover for them as well, trying to find out their recent plans."

I then looked at the man once more. Suddenly, something went off in me. "Wait a minute," I said. "I know you, but it couldn't be. You're-"

"Don't even think about saying it," the man said.

"Why, you think we're being watched?" I said amusingly.

"No, I think it's just best if my name isn't mentioned," the man said.

"Sure, whatever you say, Snake," I said. Snake grumbled at this. "So what do you know about Sector 7?"

"Seems like they're constructing some new sort of nanomachine technology," Snake said. "Although it seems to be more based on mind control, the nanomachines will boost the user's speed and senses."

"So, that's going to happen to me?" I said.

Snake nodded. "It might take some time for the full effects to kick in, but once they do, you will become super-enhanced. But why would they choose you, seeing as you have no military background?"

"On the contrary, I do, sort of," I said. "My dad also served with the Green Berets and taught me to use certain weaponry and CQC."

"CQC, huh?" Snake said. He then got up. "Show me then."

I got up as well. Snake then went up and grabbed me from behind, while putting his one arm around my neck. I then responded by elbowing him in the ribs and throwing off his arm.

"Hmm, not bad, for a rookie," Snake said.

"My dad had taught me well," I said.

"What was your dad's name?" Snake said.

"Craig. Craig Johnson," I said.

"I remember him for sure," Snake said. "He was a hell of a fighter, especially in CQC. I can see his genes are in you as well."

"And these nanomachines will only seem to make them better," I said. My eyes then opened wide in horror. "Do you think these nanomachines are like FOXDIE?"

"I'm not sure, I'm not the scientific one here. But here, take these," he said, giving me some syringes. "They might try to activate those nanomachines and try to take over your mind. The syringes will help suppress them."

"Great, so much for me not sticking myself with needles," I said sarcastically.

Snake lit a cigarette. He then offered one to me, but I declined, since I wasn't a big fan of smoking, plus I didn't think Dawn would like kissing an ashtray.

"So, are you staying with us?" I asked.

Snake took out the cigarette, blowing out smoke. "No," he said. "I've got others thing to check up on. You, on the other hand, better get some rest."

I was about to go over to where everyone else was but stopped for a minute. "Snake, where's the base that you got me from?"

Snake was quiet for a second. "It wouldn't exactly be the smartest idea to attack an enemy base head-on."

"Well, my dad always said the Green Berets took everything head-on," I said, smiling.

"True," Snake said, continuing to smoke his cigarette. "It's hard to find, but you keep going east, you'll come by a mountainside, you'll find them there."

"Very well," I said. I was about to head over, but looked back to Snake. "Will we meet again?"

"Depends on if you make it out of there in one piece," Snake said.

I then went over to where the others were. "Chris, is something wrong?" Dawn asked me.

I then placed my hand over where I had been injected. "Well, let's just say over a period of time I'm going to be experiencing some changes."

"What do you mean?" Ash said.

"I had been captured by Sector 7 and they injected me with nanomachines," I said. Pikachu had a shocked look on his face, and I knew what he was thinking. "It happened to you too, huh Pikachu?" Pikachu nodded.

"Wait, what do these nanomachines do?" Brock asked.

"They are meant to help increase your senses and speed, which is how Pikachu was able to win in that battle," I said, "The nanomachines can detect certain things such as emotions, stress, body temperature increase, etc. Unfortunately, with the brand they made, they're also made for mind control. It finally makes sense now. They wanted me and Pikachu since Pikachu is seen as a powerful Pokemon and I because of the military experience I have."

"So you're saying they can control you anytime with a flip of a switch?" Dawn asked.

"Looks like it," I said, "But I have a feeling they won't do anything yet."

Dawn looked concerned, while Pikette was giving an angry look at Pikachu.

"Well, I think it's about time we all get some sleep," Brock said.

We then went to bed, and while Dawn and I had said goodnight, I could tell something was bothering her.

Dawn tried to fall asleep, but the thought kept coming back to her. "If what Chris said is true, then at any moment at any time he could be put under control," Dawn thought. "But I can't lose him and I won't. I know deep down inside how strong he is."

She looked over to me and saw that I had already fallen asleep, due to exhaustion. She smiled, knowing nothing could tear her and I apart, just like with Ash and Pikachu.

(A/N: Well, how about that? Yeah I know what you're thinking, why is Snake in this? Well, to be honest I thought about him in this a bit ago, and no the music wasn't a gimme. Anyway, it won't be the last you see of him, at least in the series. But now we see another new enemy shows himself. What will our heroes do? You'll have to find that out for yourself.)

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