We get to see Joshua again in this chapter!
Chapter 48 - Mentorship?
Joshua's POV, 3rd
Joshua was sitting in a corner of his cell, waiting for one of the Galactic members to come in and order him to do something. When a figure appeared above him and Zorro popped out of his PokeBall, he nearly jumped back in surprise.
"Well, that's no way to greet your cousin," Khrista remarked with a smirk before landing. "How've you been doing?"
"Well enough," Joshua replied. "And you?"
"Taking out generators, saving Pokemon." Khrista shrugged as her shirt changed to dull red. "What about you?"
"Waiting." Joshua shifted, then got to his feet. "What did you just do?"
Khrista's red backpack unzipped from the inside, and two Pikachu poked their heads out of the largest pocket.
"We took out a generator," Khrista explained. "The Psychic-Types are loose already, so I decided if I could do what else I could to release Pokemon."
Joshua's hazel eyes went over the two Pikachu and frowned. "Is that an Exploration Team Badge?" he asked. He'd caught sight of it before, but he wanted to make absolutely sure that that was an Exploration Pokemon Khrista had with her.
"It is," the Electric-Type wearing it replied. "I'm Pika, co-founder of the PokeExplore Guild with White."
Joshua was pretty sure that whatever Aqua member that happened to be listening in had just fallen out of their chair.
"You worked with White?" Joshua asked in surprise.
"Well, yes. She was turned into a Vulpix before Palkia turned her back so she could be a Trainer," Pika stated matter-of-factly.
The other Pikachu let out a whistle. "Nice. You got to know her best, then."
"And...you are?" Joshua asked, looking at the other Electric Mouse.
"Just Pikachu," the other replied.
"Ash's Pikachu," Khrista added pointedly.
Joshua's eyes widened. "You have got to be kidding me."
"Nope," Pikachu shot back, grinning. "Are you the friend of this Trainer who is helping the rebellion from the inside?"
"Yes, that's right. Where did she find you?"
"Destroying a generator." Pikachu slipped out of the backpack and onto Khrista's shoulder. "She somehow managed to send the other Pokemon out of the tower to some other place."
Khrista smirked and gave a nod, but smile soon faded, replaced by a serious look. "By Birch's standards, we don't have long before the attack. A day, at least. We're going to have to move fast if we're going to rescue everyone else before the others arrive."
"Rescue?" Pika repeated, frowning at the Trainer.
Khrista looked back at the Exploration Pokemon. "The Trainers that Cyrus kidnapped? They need to be brought to their senses." The teen motioned to Joshua. "If I can get him out of this cell, I might be able to get more of them freed than when it's just me."
Joshua shook her head. "We'd have to get me past the Galactics, but Charon's probably going to figure out that I'm gone either way."
Khrista frowned. "Yeah, you're right. That scientist's going to be a bit problematic. And then there's his grandson, Saturn."
Zorro's ears twitched. "Someone's coming," he warned. "We've got to go. Now."
Khrista shook her head. "I'm not leaving just yet." As her shirt switched from red to the Ghost-Type shade, she stated, "Stay close." With that, she vanished, Pika and Pikachu disappearing with her. Zorro, after giving a quick nod in farewell to Joshua, disappeared into his now-invisible PokeBall.
As soon as the red light from the sphere had faded, the steel door opened, revealing Charon and Butch.
Joshua watched the two as they entered, taking note that he hadn't caught so much as a glimpse of "the box" through the doorway behind them. He sensed that there was something about the scientist and the Rocket member that hadn't been there before - some sort of uneasiness.
"What now?" Joshua asked, a bored tone in his voice.
Charon's look became one of nervousness. "It's been requested that you join the other children for the day."
Joshua frowned. "This is a joke, isn't it?" When Charon's and Butch's looks told him the opposite, however, the frown was replaced with a look of surprise. "All right, then." He got up from the ground as his bored look returned. "Let's go."
The hazel-eyed boy sensed that there was movement behind him, as well - most likely Khrista, who was probably getting prepared to follow him.
"So, box or no box?" Joshua inquired.
"I think you can go without the box," Charon responded. He turned and walked out the door, Joshua following, and Butch bringing up the rear.
*Something's up* Blitzen noted grimly. *It looks like they've been...spooked. Which, although I like the look on the mad scientist, I'd like to know why*
We already do. Joshua's gaze scanned the wall to his left, watching as a slight ripple moved through the air before disappearing. She took out a generator and made the Psychic-Types disappear.
*One person doing that shouldn't cause them to become scared*
"No. Darkrai is involved. What he does to Cyrus affects those under his command - he told me."
Joshua stiffened upon hearing the new voice that had entered his head. A laugh quickly followed.
"Relax, Josh - it's me. I just figured out how to use telepathy, so I figured I'd be able to talk to you while we're on the move."
Joshua forced his body to relax, but his mind was on the alert because of this new development. You aren't presently a Psychic-Type, are you?
"No - still a Ghost. Partly, at least. It's a trick I learned when I was helping Darkrai."
Helped Darkrai? The idea was so ludicrous, Joshua wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Maxie was a tough nut to crack, so he asked me to free him. I think I was successful, but I can't be too sure until he exhibits some sort of change on this end."
Joshua blinked in surprise. The Magma leader? His eyes scanned the hall, leaving the point he's been staring at - the back of Charon's head. You actually got to speak with Maxie?
"A little, yes. He kicked me out so that he could concentrate on breaking free of Cyrus' grip. I still haven't figured out why he had a Blazikan in his dream realm, along with his Camerupt..."
A Blazikan, huh? Maybe he started a journey before he became what we know him for today. Archie probably did the same thing.
"Heh. Swampert vs. Blazikan, then Sharpedo vs. Camerupt. I wonder where they are now."
Joshua shrugged, catching sight of the ripple of space in the ceiling, signifying Khristams location. Birch would probably know. We can ask him later. Right now, we have to worry about other things.
"Right. Speaking of which...any idea as to how to rescue the other kids?"
Joshua was about to answer when Charon opened a door ahead of them, revealing a room filled with human children and Pokemon alike, all being watched by Galactic members.
"Let's get you assigned to a group you can mentor, shall we?" Charon asked, a familiar, sinister grin gracing his features.
"Wait - he wants you to mentor mind-controlled kids?" Joshua could clearly hear the excitement in his cousin's voice. "This is a great advantage! We could start to free them right under their noses!...if we knew how."
I have an idea, Joshua replied as he followed Charon through the crowded room. Those Galactic goons...they seem to be carrying weaponry.
"Hmmm?" It took a moment for Khrista to apparently see what Joshua meant. "They look like Voltorb launchers - you know, the kind Surge use in that Japanese comic book."
Manga.
"Whatever."
The group stopped near a collection of Trainers and Pokemon with a Grass-Type theme, being watched over by a Magma grunt, who looked a little disoriented, yet aware of what was going on.
Khrista let out a chuckle. "See that? The Magma grunt is breaking free. I'm going to have a look around and see if there's anyone else who looks the same way."
Tell me where Silver is when you get back, Joshua told his cousin.
"I'll see if he's here."
"Children!" Charon called, getting the attention of the group, "This boy is going to be your new mentor. His name, unfortunately, is unknown to me. If any of you recognize him, please speak up."
Neither the Pokemon nor the Trainers said anything, to which Joshua mentally sighed with relief. If he was going to really be mentoring this group, then the fact that no one knew who he was happened to be a good thing.
Charon let out a sigh of annoyance. "Very well. Butch, make sure the child knows what he's supposed to do. I don't want any mistakes."
Butch nodded, the nervous look still on his face. "Got it, Boss."
As soon as Charon had left and was out of earshot, Butch gave Joshua a playful smile, which the teen answered with a curious look
"I helped your friend out," Butch whispered. "Jirachi's awakening and your friend's Hypnosis attack freed me."
Joshua blinked in surprise. Butch had been there when Khrista had rescued some of the Pokemon? And Jirachi had been with them?
"Silver's in the center of the room, completely surrounded by Galactic goons," Khrista reported suddenly. "The others are separated into different groups according to the Types of the Pokemon they've been partnered up with." There was a chuckle. "So, did Charon leave you in charge of this group?"
That remains to be seen... Joshua looked over at Butch, who had been watching the teen expectantly. "What does Charon expect me to do, anyway?"
"Instruct the kids," the Rocket grunt responded with a shrug.
"Instruct them how? And what do these kids already know?"
"We basically drill the same thing into their heads - what a Pokemon Battle is and how that involves Pokemon."
Joshua frowned. "You don't tell them how to feed and care for the Pokemon?"
Butch shrugged again. "We take care of that for them." He turned his gaze to the Trainers and Grass-Type Pokemon. "Show us what you know!"
As if Butch had found a power switch, the kids and Pokemon moved as one, separating into groups consisting of two Trainers and two Pokemon each. They then started to spar, the kids watching their charges as the creatures fought without any sort of order from the Trainer.
"Doesn't look like they have any sort of psychic connection," Khrista noted. "I guess it's just all automatic or something."
"It looks like they've practiced enough with certain Trainers," Joshua remarked. "How about we try and mix it up a little?"
Butch frowned slightly. "What are you trying to get at?"
"Put them against a Pokemon they have a disadvantage against." Joshua looked around, catching sight of a specific group nearby. "Those Fire-Types, for instance." Looking back at Butch, he finished, "I want to see how they strategize."
Butch seemed intrigued, but also worried. "And you want to do this why?"
"I want to see how they do in a situation like that, and how they can deal with it," Joshua stated matter-of-factly. "If these kids are going to become anything more than what they are now, they need to be tested in all situations. They can't very well get ahead in life if they only fight Trainers with identical Pokemon of the same Type."
"Joshua, what do you think you're doing?!" Khrista demanded. "This could be the death of you and me!"
I want to see how smart these Trainers are in this state, Joshua responded. According to an Aqua grunt I ran into, they're pretty much machines.
"Still, what you're doing might go too far. Be a little more careful."
Butch, who had been thinking about Joshua's proposal, finally remarked, "You could get into deeper trouble than you already are, you know. To be uncontrollable is one thing - to merge two groups of kids is another."
Joshua shrugged. "I know what I'm doing. Trust me."
Both the Rocket grunt and Khrista let out a sigh.
"I'm going to get it for this," Butch muttered under his breath.
After getting the group's attentions with a yell that didn't affect the rest of the room's activity, Butch somehow got them to move a little closer to the Fire group, catching the attention of that area's "mentor"...
...who happened to be a Torchic with a red star over his right eye.
Change in POV - Khrista's, 3rd
Khrista looked over the little fire chick with the red star curiously, careful not to say anything aloud to alert anyone of her presence.
Taking notice of the recognition that sparked in Joshua's eyes, she asked, "Which one of your friends is that?"
Lucas, her cousin responded. The Blazikan Trainer. He used to challenge me a lot to battles.
"What do you think you're doing?" Lucas asked snidely, glaring up at Joshua. Khrista didn't know that a Pokemon under Cyrus' control could have such a personality.
"I want to get the two groups together, and see how they react to a battle with two different Types involved," Joshua explained. "Is there anything wrong with that?"
"Wrong?" Lucas repeated. "You're practically breaking every rule there is! What kind of idiot are you?"
"This is his first time out," Butch responded for Joshua.
Pika, who had his head sticking out of Khrista's backpack (Pikachu being right beside him), let out a low growl. "That Torchic looks like it should be knocked down a peg," he muttered.
"Easy," Khrista mentally responded, glad that she didn't have to speak aloud in order to converse. "We don't want to blow our cover."
"I know."
Lucas crossed his arms across his chest and snorted. "If you have the permission to do this. Then you should be able to beat me."
Joshua didn't seem to be thrown off by this. So, his eagerness to battle remains unchanged... Khrista, I'm going to need a Pokemon.
"Zorro?" Khrista asked, her hand moving towards the Zoroark's PokeBall.
No - I'm going to need a more common Pokemon. Out of all the Pokemon you brought along, which one did you see the most?
While Lucas stood there smirking through his beak, Khrista responded, "I did see a lot of Pikachu, but throwing Pika out there would be majorly dangerous, since he's an Exploration Team Guildmaster Pokemon. And then there's Ash's Pikachu, but revealing him wouldn't be too good of an idea, either. The most common among the Normal-Types was Meowth, but I did see one or two Eevee, which kind of throws my Linoone out of the running."
Neither teenager got the time to ponder, because Pika tore off his scarf, stuffed it in the backpack, and leapt out of Khrista's backpack and landed in front of Joshua on his four feet.
Butch blinked in confusion. "A Pikachu?"
Pika sent the Rocket grunt a look, then climbed up onto Joshua's left shoulder and whispered something in his ear, something Khrista didn't catch. When her cousin had nodded in response to whatever the Electric-Type had said, the Pokemon leapt off, landing in front of the boy, glaring at the Torchic.
"Too easy," Lucas declared with a wicked grin. He took in a breath and unleashed a strong stream of fire at Pika.
Joshua made a motion with his hand, and just as the Fire-Type let the move loose, Pika jumped to the side, and leapt into the air. A moment later, the Pikachu somersaulted into the Torchic as he released electric sparks from his body.
But these weren't just any electric sparks - these were blue electric sparks that caused a shockwave of electricity as soon as Pika hit Lucas.
Khrista's eyes widened in surprise. "How-"
I should think that it's because he's a Guildmaster, Joshua responded, not bothering to look up at his cousin. Legendaries didn't used to have their own signature attacks like Fusion Bolt, you know.
Lucas seemed to be shocked, as well. "No normal Pikachu can do that!" he exclaimed, pointing an accusing talon at Pika. "You've got to be using a Ditto!"
"On the contrary, Pokemon can sometimes pack that unexpected punch that you need," Joshua responded calmly.
Khrista could sense that there was something in his voice...something that seemed to speak of great experience in that field.
Lucas' eyes widened, and he stumbled backward, nearly collapsing onto his backside but catching himself just in time. A Magma grunt caught caught sight of this, and looked between Joshua and Lucas in confusion. Butch seemed to be at a loss for words, as well.
"What just happened?" Khrista asked, blinking in surprise. "It looks like you just punched him in the stomach."
I guess you could say that I did that, Joshua responded coolly. My idea was that names, like Cyrus wanted to enslave, could also free those under his control.
"Really? But, then what's that got to do with what you just said?"
Phrases spoken to certain people at important times might do the same thing.
Khrista's eyes widened. "You don't mean to say that Lucas is...?"
Yeah, I do. I'm going to need you to get him out of here as fast as you can.
"And what about you? You getting into trouble shouldn't be a part of the plan."
It isn't. And I won't. Now, get him out of here."
Khrsita let out an audible sigh. "All right." She floated away from where she had been (which happened to be behind and to the right of Joshua), and positioned herself in front of Lucas. With a dramatic flair, she appeared in a flash of light, a blank look on her face that also had a sense of intent within.
Almost instantly, the activity around them stopped, and voices that had been calling out commands were now dead silent.
Without bothering to look back at Joshua, Khrista felt Pika jump up and climb onto her shoulder, right before the teen grabbed Lucas, who had pretty much fainted with his eyes open.
"Don't bother looking for me," she muttered, her shirt turning from a purple-gray/gold swirl to pure gold.
With that, she Teleported out of sight.
There! A bit of a filler, but it was also a very important chapter, as we figured out just what it takes to get the brain-washed kids to come to their senses! *grins* Joshua's pretty cool that way, isn't he?
Oh! By the way - not meaning to pull a shameless plug or anything - but I've got another Pokemon story I've been updating intermittently. Myths. And I need you guys' help in coming up with names for two of my characters - a woman who has a way with words, but can be extremely poisonous, and a man who has a lot of honor and respect for those he fights with his Dragon-Types, as well as his elders. If any of you guys can come up with anything, let me know!