I was planning to upload this chapter weeks ago, but I have a good… but I have a reason for why I didn't. Pokémon Conquest is more addicting than Minecraft and Harvest Moon. And I stand by that as fact. Today we're going to get most of the rest of Akuma's past out in the open. Sing the exposition song if you know it.
Mr. Fuji's story was long, but very informative. Kurishimi was very intrigued by his words and made a mental note to check the public history books as soon as she was able to see how the recently recorded history excluded the Pokémon Hunters. It was also kind of fun hearing about Akuma from someone who knew what to say about him and didn't mind taking the time to share. After Mr. Fuji paused for a drink of water he continued his story.
"While Akuma was in Hoenn there were two new criminal groups named Team Magma and Team Aqua. Each one wanted to change the layout of Hoenn and perhaps the world by expanding the land masses or raising the water level respectively. Our two members in Hoenn were tracking the movements of both teams so they could remove their leader from power. Unfortunately they never got a chance before each team put their plans into action. Team Magma awakened the legendary Pokémon Groudon who could expand the land and dry up water even as it moved while Team Aqua awakened the Pokémon Kyogre, the Pokémon who formed the oceans. While various religions sometimes believe otherwise, I believe these facts are true and apologize if any of this is uncomfortable for you to listen to. Regardless, all of Hoenn was on the brink of destruction while the trainers of that region, including as many people as we could send, tried to calm the beasts in battle. Naturally no one could stand up to these Pokémon and were defeated whenever they tried.
"Through various sources we discovered the dragon type Pokémon Rayquaza was responsible for calming Groudon and Kyogre during their last ancient clash so we set about finding where such a creature could be hiding. As luck would have it, Rayquaza was resting at sky pillar, an unspeakably high tower in the southeastern part of Hoenn which was located of the coast of Slateport City where Akuma currently was. We contacted him and asked him to head to the sky pillar to awaken Rayquaza who could stop the two titans' rampaging and send them back to their resting places. Seeing how he would have to travel over the ocean to get there he naturally declined, but when we provided a ship that could transport him to the tower while keeping him dry he accepted. It took Akuma two days to ascend the tower and we assumed him to be dead shortly after the first day had passed. We later learned that highly territorial and powerful Pokémon lived in the tower which impeded his progress otherwise he could have made it up there much faster. After inspecting the tower for ourselves it was surprising that he made it up there in only those two days.
"Upon reaching the tower's summit Akuma discovered Rayquaza who was indeed asleep. Akuma had to attack Rayquaza to wake it up and when it was awakened he thought his job was done as we had expected but if things were that simple we'd be out of a job. Rayquaza thought Akuma was a threat and attacked him. Though Akuma tried to explain his actions to the legendary creature it would not listen and continued to attack him. Whether Akuma realized that Rayquaza would not easily listen or if he simply lost his temper, I have no idea. In any case Akuma decided to fight Rayquaza until it was tired enough to listen to him. Personally I would have just run away and tried again, but Akuma wasn't the type to give up anymore. His journeys had made him very strong and capable, so he was able to handle himself without being in serious danger. It took him hours to bring down Rayquaza, but he still somehow managed to defeat the legendary Pokémon. After Rayquaza listened to his story it flew down from the tower to calm Groudon and Kyogre. Sadly the world thought Rayquaza had come down on its own and were thankful to it, but when Akuma finally emerged from the tower we made sure his efforts were recognized by those who would listen."
So that must have been the story Akuma was telling me about back in Saffron City, Kurishimi remembered.
"When Akuma returned home we told him the truth about who we were and the history of the Pokémon Hunters. He was surprised to hear of all this and even more so when we asked him to join us. He was reluctant because he felt he wasn't old enough or sufficiently skilled, but after we explained our reasons in detail he gladly accepted. He was very happy and enthusiastic to realize how strong he had become on his own, but that was the last time I'd ever seen him smile.
"You see there was one person in Lavender Town that Akuma was especially close to. Since Akuma didn't have any parents to live with this person took care of him all the time. Shortly after we believe Akuma went to Sinnoh this person went missing from our town and we never heard word of him until a few weeks before Akuma got back. Though Akuma wanted to celebrate his astounding success with this person, it was impossible. In the time we couldn't find him this young man had undergone a drastic change more than we could have ever conceived. Please understand that Akuma must never know you are aware of this, but the person he once admired so much had become, and even now still is, the new leader of Team Rocket."
Kurishimi stood up so fast her chair fell over. "You can't be serious!" she yelled in disbelief.
Mr. Fuji nodded sadly. "Yes, I'm afraid so. Akuma's greatest role model had become a criminal overlord while he was in training. The shock it gave him was serious when we broke the news to him. We tried cheering him up and distracting him by saying he could begin his special training immediately, but it didn't work. He shut himself inside his house for days, leaving his poké balls outside the front door so we could take care of them. Three days later what was left of him came out and told us to begin training him as soon as possible in a voice more dead and emotionless than I have ever heard, and I've lived a very long time. Even then he didn't eat for two more days. From that moment on he was just as cruel and unemotional as he is now. We didn't think that such a change from one person could put him into shock bad enough to cause mental trauma, but it happened all the same. At that time he began to release a large number of his Pokémon back into the wild as well. He had allowed some to leave in the past for various reasons, but not as much as he was doing then. Team Rocket has always been Akuma's enemy since that day and it won't change until he brings that person in for arrest. I do not believe that the Akuma who shut himself inside his house that day is the same one out there right now. His personality didn't change on that day, it broke, it was shattered, it was erased, and it no longer exists now.
"To make sure his skills do not rust, Akuma frequently takes the most difficult missions we have available for him. Sometimes when he gets bored he takes on more than one at a time. Once he took three jobs that nearly conflicted with each other just to see if he could do it and still performed at his peak. As I said earlier, while training on his own Akuma grew in his talents very quickly and surpassed us all. Even now he continues to improve though it is in very small increments now. Among those within the Pokémon Hunters everywhere Akuma is a legend and to some he is believed to be a myth. The veterans of our group have tried to convince others that they have battled him from time to time, but the experience is usually dismissed as having been a mirage or the misplaced reality of a dream. On the rare occasion that he comes into town people begin to doubt it was him within a few days time after he has left the city. Only those who have seen his full battle capability truly believe in his existence, and even if one were to challenge him he likely won't use his full power unless he thinks you deserve it. Among those who know he exists there are many who have given him titles such as grandmaster, Lord Akuma, battle deity, and demon warrior. Some of the legends about him are that he was blessed by Arceus in person, that he is the spirit of the first Pokémon Hunter reincarnated, even going so far as to be the powerful psychic Pokémon that Giovanni cloned years ago in disguise."
"Mr. Fuji," Chad cut in, "you've told us a lot about Akuma and it's really overwhelming for us to take in all at once. I'd like some time to digest it all, but there's one thing I've been wondering about since the day I met him. I don't know if I'm allowed to speak about it in public, but if I can't ask about here I can't think of another way to know unless we get Akuma drunk and he starts talking without restraint. Since I'd rather not go to that as a last resort I should probably ask you instead. I've noticed that besides his normal team of six Pokémon Akuma also carries a seventh Pokémon inside a crimson colored poké ball. Can you explain this to me please? I seem to be the only person in our group who doesn't know anything about it."
Kurishimi quickly jumped in before Mr. Fuji could reply. "Sorry Chad, I didn't mean to keep it a secret from you. Akuma and I just don't like to talk about it is all. Don't take it personally."
"I believe I can shed some light on this, yes," Mr. Fuji confirmed. "Two years before he started traveling with Kurishimi there was another situation in Hoenn that required Akuma's expertise. Though not as dangerous as rampaging legendary Pokémon the widespread damage was very comparable. In the northwestern corner of Hoenn a viscous Pokémon appeared from out of nowhere and went on a rampage. It destroyed nearly half the surrounding areas in the region, including Fallarbor Town, before it was finally subdued. We sent two hunters plus Akuma to the crisis to bring down the Pokémon before the damage could spread. Akuma and one of the hunters was critically injured and had to retreat during their first attack while the third hunter died. After recovering they made a second attempt with three more hunters in which they succeeded in defeating and capturing the Pokémon.
"It was immediately taken to a Pokémon Center for treatment, but the moment it was free from the poké ball it destroyed the building and nearly escaped before Akuma could return it. He brought it back here to be examined in a controlled environment and still we could find nothing wrong with it whatsoever. We did everything we could for the Pokémon, but at this point we believe that it is simply an insane bloodthirsty creature. We haven't given up on looking for a way to pacify the Pokémon, but nobody who has seen it fight believes we can do anything for it at the moment. In any case, Akuma decided to keep it with him at all times in a unique poké ball that he can't confuse for any others. Though the poké ball has no special capture abilities it is still very rare and difficult to find which is why we chose to use that particular model. The only real difference between it and a regular poké ball is the design unfortunately. On the market people call it the cherish ball. Mostly it has been a sign of Pokémon trainers with great wealth, but just like a million dollar vase or painting it is only pretty to look at and nothing more. Although to be fair there is a beautiful flash of rainbow when the ball is opened, but the price isn't worth the appeal I say.
"There have been some occasions where a poké ball has gotten switched for someone else's during a transfer so a Pokémon may not arrive safely at its intended destination. There is a fraction of less than a one percent chance of this happening, but Akuma insisted we do not take the risk. If the poké ball was left here in the stronghold there is also a chance, however small, that someone may steal it or it could be misplaced. For obvious reasons this is unacceptable as well. Everyone agrees that the safest place for it to be is with Akuma. No one has been able to defeat him in years so there is minimal chance of the poké ball ending up in the wrong hands. He also keeps it to remind himself that he isn't all powerful and has his own limits just like every other trainer or something like that. I'm not completely sure myself to be honest with you."
"Okay, I have one last question now," Kurishimi said as she chewed her lip. "That person you mentioned who took care of Akuma when he was young, who was it?"
"That, young lady, I cannot tell you. That is very, very personal business to Akuma and only Akuma. He does not talk about that person ever anymore and neither do we. Last time someone pressed him for information on the leader of Team Rocket Akuma had Infernape knock them out with a mach punch that broke their nose. Keep in mind that person didn't know the two had a shared past and you must never let on that you know about their relationship either. Even though you are both close to him you would no doubt receive the same treatment just as swiftly. I only told this to you so you would be aware of why and who Akuma is today."
"I have a question too sir," Chad called. "Concerning that seventh Pokémon of Akuma's, what species is it?"
"Why would you want to know, young man?"
"Err, no specific reason. I'm just wondering about it is all."
"If that's all there is to it, don't worry about it. Hopefully you won't ever find out if you are lucky. Besides, if he hasn't told you himself there may be a reason he won't that I'm unaware of."
"I suppose you're right," Chad admitted, but he was still unconvinced. "Well here's one last question that shouldn't be too private I suppose. Exactly how many Pokémon did Akuma capture in total over the course of his life? I mean since before he came back the first time up till now.
"According to our records I believe that in Akuma's early years he acquired seven Pokémon not counting his Gastly and Charmander. I believe he only obtained five Pokémon in Sinnoh which was quite minimal considering his progress later in life. When he came back from Hoenn he had access to about forty different species. Also during his years working for us he released many of the Pokémon he captured since some of them were simply for brief study, pacification, or because of the various jobs we've had him do. Still, I'm pretty sure he's caught over four hundred individual Pokémon. Most of these were of the same species however so don't be impressed just yet. On the other hand when it comes to individual Pokémon species he's captured a grand total of two hundred twenty-five which even by Pokémon Hunter standards is an astonishing number which only adds to the legend that follows his name."
Kurishimi splashed herself in the face with the cup of water in front of her to recover from the shock while Chad slowly melted down in his chair as Mr. Fuji laughed at their reactions.
"Well I assume there are no more questions so when you feel sober enough from the shock to walk around might I give you a tour of the facility?"
Mr. Fuji's house was indeed very impressive. Not only was it beautifully decorated, but there was a large basement going under a portion of the city that even extended two floors below the first. Mr. Fuji explained that it was the safest place to train hunters and Pokémon as well as monitor their various hunters across the world. There were numerous training grounds where you could fight other people or even computer controlled programs for various skill levels in different conditions and environments too. Mr. Fuji added that the most difficult simulations were programmed under the direction of Akuma. Kurishimi and Chad were lucky enough to meet the second and third best hunters named Jason and Susie. Jason was mentioned to have been around since before the group went underground and had been the top hunter until Akuma joined. Chad almost challenged him to a battle out of anticipation and excitement, but managed to hold himself back. They paused to watch a few hunters battle the training programs allowing Kurishimi and Chad to learn some interesting attack combinations in the short time they had to watch.
During the last portion of the tour Mr. Fuji brought them to rooms where the most dangerous Pokémon were being kept. Most were practicing control over and improving new attacks, but there were a couple Pokémon who seemed to be having anger problems. From each occupied room there were loud sounds as each Pokémon used their most powerful attacks. As they moved down the hallway the Pokémon seemed to steadily become more and more dangerous until they reached the end where two rooms were absolutely silent. The lights beside the doors indicated there were Pokémon inside, but there were no noises from within. Kurishimi and Chad assumed the Pokémon may have been asleep, but Mr. Fuji confirmed that they were indeed awake.
"Would you like to guess what Pokémon are in these rooms?" he asked them in a knowing voice.
"I don't really have a clue, but I'm going to guess these are two of Akuma's Pokémon, right?" Chad guessed.
"You're right, lad. We haven't had many problems with this first Pokémon so you may come in to greet it if you want." Mr. Fuji entered a number code on the door lock and opened it so Chad and Kurishimi could go inside. Stepping inside the room they saw a blue metallic tank with four legs that looked up at them as they entered.
"It's Metagross!" Kurishimi said happily. She ran across the room and gave it a hug while Metagross roared in delight. Having been around Metagross for a long time when it was a Metang, as well as having many training sessions together, Kurishimi and Metagross were very familiar to each other.
Chad's only experiences with Metagross were less than pleasant, but he made an effort to be friendly. Metagross recognized Chad and became sad quickly when it saw him poke into the room.
"Naturally we had to tell Metagross why Akuma sent it here," Mr. Fuji explained. "It was very sorry about what happened to your Bulbasaur, Chad. As such it has been trying especially hard to control its power compared to the other Pokémon in this hallway. I assume Akuma hadn't used Metagross very often from after evolving to just before the battle with you so it wasn't used to the high boost in power just yet."
"So that's why your attacks seemed so crazy strong," Chad said quietly. "Well don't worry, I forgive you. I'm sure Akuma had been training you to try your hardest when you battle, right? You just weren't ready to fight inexperienced Pokémon after evolution yet after trying your hardest for so long." Despite not having a mouth Metagross seemed to smile at Chad happily. "If you want I have Bulbasaur here with me, even though it's an Ivysaur now. I don't know if it's alright with you, but would you want to see him?" Metagross considered Chad's offer, but shook its head negatively. "That's okay, maybe when you're ready then."
Kurishimi looked over Metagross to make sure it was being treated well then they left the room.
"So do either of you know who's behind door number two?" Mr. Fuji asked.
"I haven't seen Scyther for a long time, maybe that's who it is?" Chad guessed.
"I don't know for sure," Kurishimi admitted, "but I'm really hoping it's Big Red."
Mr. Fuji looked through the window on the door then began unlocking it. "This one's been a real hassle lately. If it's in a good mood you should be able to greet it, but be very careful. It's exhibited an extremely volatile temper lately."
The door opened slowly as Mr. Fuji kept an eye on it from behind the safety of the door. Kurishimi walked in first carefully and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness it's you," she said happily.
Chad stepped in the room and gasped. It was a new Pokémon to him, both for Akuma's roster and in general. Based on Kurishimi's description once he thought it would be the Magmar he kept hearing about, but this was certainly no Magmar. He knew it was a powerful Pokémon since its arms and legs were chained tightly to the walls. It was much larger than a Magmar and from within its body there was a deep steady rumble like a contained inferno. Its arms were shaped like cannons with three short claws poking out from inside. The Pokémon stared at Chad like a predator eyeing what could be its next meal. It was an understatement that Chad was nervous, in fact he was trying not to shake as the creature sized him up.
Kurishimi smiled and introduced the two. "Chad, meet what is probably Akuma's meanest and most powerful Pokémon. This is Big Red, Akuma's Magmortar; once his old Magmar. Magmortar, this is Chad, Akuma's new student"
Chad stared in awe at the dangerous Pokémon in front of him. He wanted to greet it properly, but all he could manage to get out was, "Wow."
Magmortar continued to glare at Chad, but gave an amused smirk when Chad's amazement was evident. Mr. Fuji nervously called the two back out shortly after.
"So why is that guy in there when it wasn't acting overly violent?" Chad asked Mr. Fuji after the old man had bolted the door shut.
"Well that's the thing about Magmortar; it doesn't attack unless it's sure the attack will be effective. When we try to train it in controlling its power Magmortar's attacks are always far too explosive to be safe. I don't think Magmortar is even trying to gain control anymore. It seems to prefer using overkill attacks every single time. We aren't making much progress at all I fear. Akuma was primarily coming back to try helping Magmortar in its training, but at this point I'm not very hopeful. Magmortar's attack power at this stage is almost as high as when Akuma is using his Pokémon at full power so if they can work together again completely I shudder to think of the potential they would have. For everyone's sake I'm hoping Akuma learned some good new tricks these past two months."
And with that, we are finally done with the biggest dialogue exposition chapter(s) in this story. Don't worry, I'll put some more fighting bits in the next chapter…