Hey guys, welcome to chapter eight! In this chapter, I'll be introducing one last OC. I know that story length is supposed to be 5k-6k words. But whenever I plan out my chapters, they become longer than they're supposed to be. Anyways, let's get this started. I hope you enjoy this chapter.


Victor, Juan, Gavin, and Aisha were in an Oak Agency car, chasing down a group of Gamma Team robbers.

Vicey was inside of a GPS and was attached to the dashboard. She offered advice on where to turn and to drive properly. But Victor wasn't hearing any of that.

Victor hit the brakes and made a wide turn onto the highway, keeping the Gamma Team car in his view. He sped around a car and hit the gas, sending the already damaged car over 80mph on the highway.

"May I suggest not going so-"

"Shut it Vicey. I'm doing it my way."

"You say that, but the last place I'd want you to end up is in the hospital."

Victor swerved into another lane and made a sharp turn as he almost slammed into another car. Gavin and Juan slammed into the side of the car while Aisha fell out of her seat.

"We aren't really setting a good example for any other drivers!" shouted Juan.

"Have you ever driven before Victor?" asked Aisha. "Cause it doesn't seem like you do it often."

"Of course I've driven before!"

"But he hasn't in a long time," said Vicey.

"Be quiet. Why drive when you can walk to work?"

"That-"

"Just shut up."

He pressed the gas and shot the car forward. Causing everyone to slam backwards in their seats painfully. Vicey fell off the dashboard and under Victor's chair. Gavin grabbed her with his feet and held her in place.

"Your Rotom fell onto the floor," said Gavin.

"Okay."

"What's wrong? You seem agitated."

"A definite sign of him being angry is saying short sentences," said Juan with a smile.

"Not funny. And the reason I'm mad is because that dude with the Malamar's in there. Just thinking about his dumb laugh makes me angry."

"Ouch, that guy from Palay island. Yea, the Kazuma guy's there as well. The only thing that keeps me calm is the fact that he has it coming. We'll save my sister as well."

"Thinking about positive things always helps me. Try lessening the speed though. You don't have to cause a car crash," said Aisha.

Victor released a bit of pressure from the gas pedal. He looked around for the shiny Gamma Team car and saw it swerve at a 90 degree angle towards the exit. Cutting off many drivers.

"Damn it! Who drives like that?" asked Victor as he repeatedly switched lanes.

He barely slowed the car down as he went up the exit. He saw skid marks along the wall and decided to slow down some more.

Something flashed in front of them. A blue beam of ice shot at the car. Victor turned the car away from the attack, but the car's wheels skidded on the ice. The car was sent skidding towards the barriered edge of the exit before a large gust of wind righted the car and made it bumping against the edge of the exit.

In a flash, they were out of the car. They weren't badly hurt, but them hitting the edge of the exit wasn't exactly gentle.

A black haired man was returning his Gyarados and jumped back into the Gamma Team. The car immediately drove away as soon as he was in.

"Wait, let me get this straight. FIrst, they almost caused us to crash into the exit, and then that dude saved us from certain death. Huh, inexplicable behavior." mused Gavin

"Maybe he wouldn't be able to live with the fact he killed people," said Juan.

Aisha smiled to herself. She knew exactly who the person was. And she knew exactly why he'd save them, or more accurately, saved her.

An hour and a half later

Raptor landed on the ground with Juan, Aisha, and Gavin. A Yanmega dropped Victor on the ground and flew into Aisha's pokéball.

"Never again! Okay, Never! That thing tried kidnapping me on multiple occasions! It flew off to a forest for Arceus' sake! Get that thing to listen cause I'll never ride with it if you don't!" shouted Victor as he leaped up.

"Not my fault. You're the one who didn't want to be carried by Raptor. And then you didn't want to ride on the Serperior either," said Aisha.

"His name is actually Typhlosion."

"It's confusing."

"In my defense, I wouldn't think that Raptor would be able to hold me and Gavin in his talons."

"That's fine, just don't be complaining afterwards."

Scott walked into the room and cleared his throat. "So how'd the mission go?"

"Absolutely terrible." sighed Victor.

"It wasn't that bad. At least we're alive," said Gavin.

"What happened?" asked Scott.

They all explained what had gone down when they caught the Gamma Team members looting the nuclear power plant. They talked about the car chase, and the eventual save from one of the Gamma Team members.

"I'm glad you're all okay. But this person's behavior was odd," said Scott.

"Maybe he just joined the Gamma Team because he was broke, and didn't really want anyone to get hurt," suggested Juan.

"Well whatever his reason, it's his reason. Anyways, we have a new person in Oak Alpha. His name is Haruka Shinomiya."

Victor flinched at the name. "Ouch, I've heard of him from my old high school. Something happened and he got kicked out of the school. Apparently, two students got killed because of some shenanigans that involved Haruka after he was suspended. One of the students was a guy who Haruka had gotten into a fight with. The other was the guy's girlfriend. I wonder why someone like him would be in Oak Agency. MAkes you wonder why he got promoted in the first place."

"Well why don't you hear his side of the story cause that certainly wasn't the case," said Scott.

"You talked to him about it?" asked Aisha.

"No, I was there when the incident happened. Who do you think recommended him."

He walked off in silence after that. Ignoring their many questions or answering them with a "you'll find out". They eventually made it to the main room, where they saw a man playing a game on a handheld console.

The man had black hair and wasn't wearing the Oak Agency suit. Instead, he wore dark pants and a black and purple hoodie.

"Um, hi! I'm Juan," said Juan, coming up to introduce himself.

Haruka kept playing his video game. A Mega Charizard Y onscreen was flying through ranks of Pokémon, taking out scores of Pokémon at a time with powerfuls Fire Blasts.

"Nice game, what's it called?"

Haruka noticed Juan for the first time. He paused the game and looked at Juan, his eyes barely visible from under his long bangs.

"Pokémon Mega Legends. And just a piece of advice, if you value your social life. Then you'd probably not want to stick around me."

With that, he resumed his Pokémon game. Leaving everyone in the room to stare at him awkwardly. When everyone realized Haruka didn't care or notice the fact everyone was staring at him, Gavin decided to end the silence.

"So what happened?"

Haruka barely looked up. "With what?"

"Your life! I mean, I've known you for less than five minutes and I can already tell you're extremely unsociable, and cynical."

"I like to keep it that way. And I already had a thirty minute talk with Joyce about my life issues. And nothing has or will change. So I suggest leaving me alone and not forcing anything. "

"Okay, we don't have to discuss it, but can you at least tell us? Personally, I'm dying to know. I've heard snippets of what happened, but I can't confirm anything until I hear from you."

Haruka sighed. "Fine, if you want to know so much, I'll tell you. No one ever considers what I'd want to talk about." He put down his handheld console. "It started three years ago."

"Wait hold on, it happened three years ago and you're still depressed? That's kind of holding on to things for too long," said Aisha.

"That was the tip of the iceberg, to a long series of failures in my life."

Three years ago

Haruka's POV

It was a seemingly ordinary school day. I was hanging out with my friend Emma, doing the things I normally do. Like video games. Just so you know, me and Emma were just friends. She already had a boyfriend named Thomas, who I didn't care about. I was perfectly happy just being friends.

The third bell rang, signaling that group A students should head to class and that group B students had fifteen minutes remaining for lunch. Emma stood up and said goodbye before heading off to her class.

As for me, I had just finished level thirty-seven in Pokéheroes and decided to go outside to get some much needed fresh air.

I grabbed my bag and took out a manga before heading outside to read. I was sitting under a tree next to a brick wall in the courtyard when I overheard Thomas, the most popular boy in the school, and his friend talking.

"Yo, some other gang members approached me last night when I was grabbing some goods. They gave me an opportunity for some huge cash," said Thomas.

"What did they want you to do?" asked his friend.

"They want to have a girl for some slave stuff or whaterever. I don't really care about what they want, I'll just give 'em what they want and get the money."

"Got any girls in mind?"

"Eh, I'll probably just drug Emma and sell her off. It's not like we're doing that good anyways."

"Problems between you guys? How come? You're the most popular dude in the school, girls hate Emma since you're dating her! Why aren't you two doing well?"

"She apparently doesn't like the way I act sometimes, as if that's a problem. And she's always hanging out with that loser Haruka. Even though she says they're not dating."

"So what will you do after that?"

"I'll get the money, get a girl with bigger personality, buy some goods, trade them to get more money, and become the richest person in this school. By his own efforts of course, I'm not counting those rich snobs who brag about themselves having fifteen consoles and fancy clothing because their parents poured their money into them."

I knew this sicko was pretty uncool, but I never knew until then how evil and demented he was. Trading drugs? Selling people like items? Of course I couldn't let something like this pass by me unnoticed and uncared. At least, I couldn't then, if put in the same situation now, maybe.

"Excuse me fellas, but I couldn't help hearing some disturbing things. Maybe this is just a weird joke between friends, but."

Thomas and his friend exchanged worried glances, before an idea formed in Thomas' rotten mind.

"So you've heard everything?"

"Yea."

"How's your life going?"

I thought it was a strange question at the time, but it was all part of his devious plan.

"Okay I guess, both parents are still alive. We're not doing super good, but we're surviving. Why do you ask?"

"Ya looking for some extra cash? Maybe for those video games or manga?"

As he said that, I was immediately on guard since I already knew where the cash was coming from.

"Maybe."

"Well, since you already know what my plan is, I don't have to explain it to you. As you've heard, things between me and Emma aren't really that good, so I can use your help to go through with my plan."

That was my breaking point. "Are you crazy! First, you want to drug someone who didn't do anything to you! Then, you want to drag me into it because I'm her friend? No way you freak, get out of here!"

He looked at his friend and nodded. I knew what they were going to do, and I didn't let him do it. I lunged at him and punched him in his stupid face. He cried out and fell as his friend came to punch me. I stepped back and kicked him in the shin, causing him to stumble.

A bunch of people had started to watch as I continued fighting. I shoved Thomas' friend to the ground and whirled around to beat up Thomas. He'd already got up and was trying to defend himself. His lip was bleeding from my first punch.

I had felt a sharp pain in my face as someone punched me in the face. It was one of Thomas' supporters from the crowd. Someone else picked up Thomas and helped him away as he began shouting at me.

"Get help you jealous freak! Just because your friend Emma decided to date me instead of you doesn't mean you should go crazy because you think that she should be your girlfriend! Maybe you should try harder if you actually want someone to like you, instead of sitting around and playing your video games and reading crappy manga!"

That made me even angrier, I was about to reach into my pocket and send out one of my Pokémon, but that's when the principal and the security guard decided to show up.

"Haruka Shinomiya! You're in very big trouble!"

I tried to defend myself, but the principal wasn't going to hear it. The principal and the security guard grabbed one of my arms and dragged me away from the hollering students. I gave one look back at Thomas, and saw him giving me an evil smile through his bloodied lips. That's when I realized his plan wasn't to try and get my assistance, his plan was to get rid of me.

I was half-listening to the principal's shouting, I was thinking of Emma's impending doom, and how I could stop it.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" demanded the principal.

This was my moment, but I had to be confident. I looked him straight in the eye. "My friend Emma is in danger. Her drug obsessed boyfriend named Thomas wants to drug her and sell her off to a criminal gang to make money for more drugs. I overheard him and his friend talking about it. I know it may sound unbelievable, but you have to trust me! The snake tried bribing me to help him follow through."

The principle was silent for a moment. "Do you really think I'd believe something like that?"

The guy wasn't serious at all. "You have to believe me! If I wanted to lie to you, I'd come up with something more subtle! But I'm telling the truth!"

"I don't think a sixteen year old would be doing gang trades. Adding this horrible incident to all your over transgressions leaves me no choice but to expel you."

"But prin-"

"I won't hear anymore of this. You'll wait for your parents to pick you up."

"You're putting a student in danger by ignoring me!"

But the principal was already leaving. He should have listened to me, he could have prevented what would happen next.

Even after my expulsion, I spied on Thomas, trying to make sure he didn't go through his plan. I tried warning Emma, but my parents banned me from devices, and manga, which would have left me depressed had I not been doing important, life saving work.

Emma's parents wouldn't let me anywhere near their house or Emma. No matter how much I stressed that their daughter was in danger. I had a last ditch effort plan if worse came to worse. And it eventually did.

After some careful sneaking around at my old school, I spotted Thomas and his friend. But they had already drugged Emma and were probably taking her somewhere. I already knew the location from my spying and called Oak Agency.

Obviously, they didn't trust me much and sent one man to investigate. This person was Scott Harvard. I told him everything about my expulsion and the eventual selling of Emma.

"Okay kid, I'm going to go in there, get your friend, and get out. Make sure no one else appears."

"What? No way, she's my friend, I have to stick out for her. "

"You already did a lot, kid. You kept tabs on Thomas and called the authorities like you should have."

"I'm not a kid, you can't do this alone."

Scott looked at me, he saw the determination in my eyes and sighed. "You win, but listen to all my instructions."

I nodded and we went into the abandoned apartment. The front wasn't guarded, but there were two people inside the lobby. They both froze when they saw us.

"Shoot, the Oak Agency! Go, Skrelp!"

"Out, Bunnelby!"

"Go, Scout!"

"Out, Raboot!"

All four Pokémon appeared. My Raboot bounced bounced on his legs eagerly, ready to kick some Pokémon.

"Skrelp, Water Gun!"

"Scout, Thunder Shock!"

Robot leaped out of the way as a stream of water erupted from the Skrelp. Scout the Emolga flew in and shocked the Skrelp who screamed in pain before launching another attack.

"Raboot, Double Kick!"

"Bunnelby, Pound!"

Raboot raced forward and swung a foot at the Bunnelby, who tried blocking the attack with his ears. He parried one hit. But the other caught him in the stomach.

"Now, use Nitro Charge!"

"Nitro Charge?" asked one of the gang members.

It didn't matter which way I said the move, the normal way to say it is Flame Charge. But I say it the way they saw it in the books. Raboot surrounded himself in a ball of fire and charged at the Bunnelby, fainting it.

"No, I better tell the boss! Let's scram!"

"Scout, stop them!"

Scout flew forward and used Thundershock on both men, causing them to crumple on the ground, twitching.

"Come on, let's go."

All four of us raced up the stairs. Scout jumped onto Scott's shoulder as we made our way through the apartment.

"Oak Agency! Get them!" shouted a gang member as they came through the stairs.

"Go, Gligar!"

"Go, Shuppet!"

"Return Scout! Go, Xander!"

"Come back Raboot! Go, Frogradier!"

All four pokémon appeared. For an Oak Agency member, he currently had some weak Pokémon. I noticed his Zorua was a Hisuian Zorua.

"Frogradier, Water Pulse!"

My Frogradie leaped forward and slammed both Pokémon with the move. Scott's Zorua used Astonish on the Shuppet.

"Dang it, they have the advantage here!" shouted one gang member.

"No they don't! Astonish!"

The Shuppet floated toward Zorua and used Astonish. The move didn't do anything as Zorua sent it flying with the same move.

"Part normal type, Shadow Sneak!"

Zorua created a shadow under him and sent it towards the Shuppet. It erupted from the ground and attacked the Shuppet, fainting it.

"Damn it, run!"

"Not yet! Gligar, Aerial Ace!"

"Dodge it Frogradier!"

Frogradier leaped over the attack and used Water Pulse. The move slammed full force into the Gligar. Fainting the Pokémon.

Scott sent out Scout, who quickly paralysed both gang members. We continued up the stairs and ran into a man.

"Great, the authorities are here. I recognize you. You're the one Thomas said would come crawling here," said the gang leader, pointing at me.

"Thomas was right to warn you. Cause you're gonna regret hurting Emma."

"Kids these days, always trying to play heroes. Go, Gengar!"

"Frogradier, Tongue Lick!"

Frogradier's tongue lashed out like a whip. The ghost type move landing painfully on Gengar.

"Gengar, Shadow Ball, then use Giga Drain!"

"Get ready Frogradier!"

The Gengar fired a Shadow Ball at Xander, who ignored the move and readied Shadow Sneak. Gengar sent a bunch of green orbs hurtling towards Frogradier. He jumped over the green orbs and used Lick again.

"Now, Shadow Sneak!"

"Dodge it!"

The Gengar floated to the side as the Shadow Sneak went past him. He then used Giga Drain again before using Dark Pulse.

Both of our Pokémon crumpled instantly as both moves hit super effectively. We both returned our Pokémon.

"Go, Scout!"

"Out, Raboot!"

"Gengar, Shadow Ball!"

The Gengar fired two Shadow Balls in rapid succession. Raboot dodged the attack by leaping over the ball while Scout glided past it.

"Nitro Charge!"

Raboot surrounded himself in fire and slammed into the Gengar.

"How? That's not even a move!"

"It's the magma way of saying Flame Charge. Do it again!"

"Shadow Ball!"

"Hidden Power!"

I watched as Raboot leaped over the Shadow Ball again with his superior speed. He smacked into the Gengar right as a swarm of ghostly orbs hit it. The combined attacks fainted the Pokémon.

"Damn you, this isn't the last you've seen of me!"

"Certainly not," said Scott as Scout paralyzed the gang leader. Scott put handcuffs around him and put him in a corner.. "I'll be seeing you in court. I don't know what's wrong with this region. All these gangs and evil corporations. Just a week ago, we came in and apprehended these two gangs that were fighting over something. Four people ended up dead."

"And we better hurry before something happens to Emma."

"Right, let's move."

We returned our Pokémon and ran up the stairs. There I saw Emma, tied up and drugged in a corner, and Thomas giving us a nasty smile as he saw us.

"Well well well, out of all the people to come here. You were the least surprising. I see you brought a friend as well. Unfortunately, I expected you to be here earlier. My welcoming committee became bored."

"I'm part Oak Agency, put your hands directly where I can see them," said Scott. Flashing his badge.

"Wow Haruka, you brought the authorities. I wanted to settle this between you and me."

"All bets were off when you did this! You're crazy!" I shouted. I stepped forward, but Scott stopped me.

"I'm giving you your second and last warning. Put your hands up, where I can see them."

"No. Hammer!"

A Bastiodon came crashing through the walls. It shook debris off its giant head and glared at us.

"Here we go again. Go, Darv!"

"Out, Larvitar!"

Our Pokémon, a Trapinch and a Larvitar, were nothing compared to the Bastiodon. But we had a major type advantage.

"I'm giving you one last chance to surrender. As you can see, our Pokémon outmatch you in typing eight to one."

"Hammer, Iron Head!"

"I guess not. Darv, Bulldoze!"

I watched as the giant Bastidon's head glowed silver as it charged. Scott's Trapinch charged as well, the floor tearing up as the tiny ant was sent on a hopeless crash course towards Bastiodon.

Well, I had underestimated Trapinch's strength. The two Pokémon hit each other at almost equal force. Scott's Trapinch was slowly being pushed back, but the type advantage worked in its favor.

"Mud Shot!"

My Larvitar shot mud at the Bastiodon, it flinched and roared as it switched its attention to Larvitar.

"Dodge it and use Charge!"

"Charge? Why would you use Charge?" shouted Scott.

I ignored him as Larvitar avoided the Iron Head. He then leaped forward and slammed his body full force into Bastiodon's side.

"You mean Take Down? Still a bad choice! Darv, Bulldoze."

What did he know about bad choices? I watched as his little ant straddled forward. And I realized it was my job to get that thing's attention so Trapinch could hit it.

"Rock Drop!"

"Block it!"

Larvitar created a rock and hurled it at Bastiodon. The Bastiodon raised his giant head and deflected the rock. Larvitar then leapt forward and used Take Down. Only to be bashed away by Iron Head. Larvitar hit the wall and crumpled to the floor.

"Wow, that's all your pathetic Pokémon has? Turn, now!"

Bastiodon swung its enormous head and hit Trapinch and hit him through the gap Bastidon created.

"No, that's not all we have." Larvitar struggled to his feet and faced down the Bastiodon. "As long as we try to fight sickos like you, we have everything."

"What kinda-"

Larvitar glowed white and started morphing. His horn disappeared as his feet disappeared as well. His body became a bit longer and more flat. He'd become a Pupitar.

Thomas laughed. "You think that ugly thing's gonna beat me?"

"Nope, but that Emolga will."

"Hidden Power!"

Earthen orbs flew towards Bastiodon and hit it on the side. It groaned as the special attacking move hit double super effectively.

"Pupitar, use Mud Shot!"

But Pupitar didn't use Mud Shot, instead, he used Magnitude. The move hit a high power and shook the entire apartment. Breaking up ground around the Bastiodon. A large chunk slammed into the Bastiodon and sent him falling a few floors below. Emma was thankfully unaware and unharmed.

"No, you couldn't have beaten Hammer!"

"We did. Scott, you can take it from here. Thank you."

I immediately went to check on Emma, I tried rousing her to no avail. But she was alive.

Scott was dragging Thomas away when the building shook. Voices from downstairs were shouting as more shocks erupted through the building.

"Please tell me those are your colleagues."

"No, they're gang members."

"What do we do?"

"You stay here and watch this crook. I have a living taser."

And with that, Scott left me behind. I stayed with Emma, trying to wake her up. I was so focused on Emma, that I didn't realize that Thomas wasn't incapacitated.

A blinding flash of white filled my vision as sharp pain erupted in the back of my head. Everything slowly went dark as I saw Thomas smash a window with his handcuffs and drag a still drugged Emma towards it.

Present day

No one's POV

"And when I woke up, both of them were dead."

"Oh Arceus. I never knew." gasped Aisha.

"Man, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions." muttered Victor.

Gavin was sitting on the couch silently, at a loss for words.

Haruka stood up and sighed. "Spare the sympathy. I need to do some catching up." He paused his video game and walked away.

"I feel bad for him. Imagine, your Pokémon evolving to win the battle. But you lose the real thing," said Gavin.

"I thought he was just being anti-social and sarcastic but, I guess has a reason for that," said Aisha.

"He seems depressed. I would be if that happened to me," said Victor.

"I'm already kind of depressed about my sister. And she was just kidnapped." lamented Juan.

"Nothing really improved for him after that. He didn't get accepted into any schools, and he was very unpopular everywhere. I recommend him to Oak Agency so he could join when he became eighteen," said Scott.

"That Thomas kid is disturbing. What kind of fifteen year old would do stuff like that?" asked Aisha.

"The problems with the Calzei region these days. People just expect the police force and the Oak Agency to stop crimes."

"Isn't that our job though?"

"Yes, but they don't take steps to prevent the crimes. Which one is better? To screw back a loose pipe with a wrench, only for it to become loose a few days later. Or to apply sealant so that it doesn't become loose for a long time. Of course the wrench is there to use whenever you need, but you shouldn't rely on it all the time. Even if getting sealant is costly, getting sealant would be more cost effective."

They all stared at Scott blankly, not understanding his analogy.

"God, okay let me put it this way. Yes, the Oak Agency stops crimes and stuff. But that doesn't mean that you should let a problem keep going until someone fixes it. You should take measures to stop the problem from happening anyways!"

"You could have just said that the first time," said Juan.

"Making a pipe analogy was unnecessary," said Aisha.

Scott shook his head. "My one chance."

The next day

Ellen was currently freaking out. Joyce was to no avail trying to calm her down. All of Oak Alpha was gathered in the meeting room, trying to fix this crisis.

"They couldn't have just gone missing! Someone had to have taken them!"

"Who would take something from a collection?" asked Haruka, barely looking up from his manga.

"Well they couldn't have just walked away! I check my collection every day and nothing has happened until now! And I haven't seen you offer any ideas!"

"Probably because this is the first time I have actually met you. I didn't even know until now you had a collection."

"Well the only important event that happened around the time part of my collection was stolen!"

"What did I say less than two minuetes ago? And maybe you could help by naming what exactly was stolen?"

"Two glass tokens, a rubber band, and four paperclips."

"Oh, I know who took them."

"And you're only mentioning it now?"

"I didn't know whether the items were stolen or not. It was Scout and a Pichu."

"Pio?" asked Juan. "What would he and Scout be doing with that stuff?"

"They had some cloth as well. They were trying to make wings for Pio like the one Scout has. So that they could glide together or something."

Scott sighed. "Those two stick like magnets. The other day, Scout blew up my lamp playing this game with Pio."

"Not the antique one?" asked Juan nervously.

"Fortunately no, but they completely ruined the one on my desk. And some of my papers. Anyways, let's find them before they hurt themselves. I probably know where they'll be going."

They all went up the stairs to the top of the base. They saw Scout and Pio on top of a bookshelf close to the railing.

Pio was wearing a pair of goggles constructed from tape, colored tokens, and a rubber band. The ends were poorly cut and held together with tape. His wings were connected by paperclips looped around his wrists and ankles. Scout was just adding a few more strips of tape to the cloth in between the paperclips.

"Hey, they did a good job," said Juan.

They all simultaneously shushed him as they watched the two. Scout was showing Pio how to open and close his wings and simulated gliding by lying flat on the shelf and spreading her arms and legs wide. She then leaped off the shelf and glided onto the banister. She squeaked for Pio to follow.

Pio jumped off the shelf and spread his arms and legs. He glided straight for a few seconds before accidently gliding off to the wall. Scout quickly motioned to him on how to stop. He tried copying her moves and only succeeded in dropping on the floor in front of the wall.

Pio got up as Scout glided to him. He watched as she perfectly stopped in front of her. He knew he was never going to be able to do it like her.

"Okay you two, you had your fun," said Scott.

Pio and Scout jumped up surprised and Pio tried hiding his stuff behind Scout.

"You're not in trouble, just give Ellen back her things."

Ellen smiled. "It's okay actually, their thing is actually kind of cool."

"As long as Pio doesn't hit a wall," said Juan.

Scout helped Pio out of his wings and handed them to him. She then climbed up onto Scott and sat on his shoulder. Juan picked up Pio and inspected his gear.

"Nice stuff, why don't I keep the wings in my pocket."

Pio nodded but decided to hold onto his goggles. He jumped onto Juan's shoulder and stayed there.

"Hey guys, we got into a situation," said Victor.

"I knew there's always going to be that one person who says that," said Haruka.

Twenty minutes later

The entirety of Oak Alpha was hidden outside a hardware factory. Investigating a gas leak mostly likely caused by an ongoing robbery by Team Plasma. Apparently, the Team Plasma members were unaware of the gas leak.

Haruka at first, had been adamant about not going. Stating that "A factory with a gas leak that is currently being robbed sounds like the easiest place to die. Which I have no intention of doing." But his sense of justice eventually got the better of him.

"Yep, they're still there. It doesn't even look like they're robbing the place, just looking for a specific piece of hardware." noted Gavin.

"Well, whatever they're looking for, they won't find it. Cause we'll be the ones to stop them," said Joyce.

"Agreed. Which is why we shouldn't be waiting around for so long," said Ellen.

"Obviously we're waiting for an opening. It's been four minutes, calm down," said Juan.

"If you know so much, why don't you take command?" demanded Ellen.

"Jeez Ellen, why must you always pick fights?" asked Victor.

"I do not."

"Remember when we were trying to close the valve system at Washi Dam."

Sometime ago

"What do we do now?" asked Juan.

"I have a desperate idea. Maybe Java could enter his Frost form and freeze the space between the gate and this side," said Victor.

"That's way too big of a job for one Pokémon!" Ellen objected.

"Got any other ideas?" shot back Victor.

Present day

"Okay, that was one time."

"Also when you were talking about where the friction lever was."

"I was asking a general question!"

"I'm not sure your tone depicted that."

"Why don't you find some solid evidence before making a claim? Instead of taking one example and using that to-"

"Also the time where Juan was trying to make a joke."

"Oka-"

"And the time when we first met a few weeks back."

"Fine I-"

"Guys." interrupted Scott.

"Hold up, I think we can move in now," said Gavin.

Scott looked through the window and nodded. "Let's go."

They started towards the doors when they heard a ding noise. They all whipped around and saw Haruka playing on a console.

"Now is definitely not the time to be playing damn video games Haruka!" hissed Scott.

"Okay. But I didn't know when we'd actually get moving."

He pocketed the video game console and followed them. They all opened the factory doors and ran in.

Scott stepped forward and pulled out his badge. "Oak Agency, put your hands where I can see them."

"Alright, bring it on!" challenge one of the Plasma members.

"Forget fighting! I found it!" shouted another grunt.

"Great, now you just revealed we were looking for something specific Gerald."

"You revealed my name!"

"I'm going to take your bickering as a direct disregard to my warning. Ready everyone? Go, Darv!"

The rest of Oak Alpha sent out their Pokémon. Candy the Galarian Rapidash, Typhlosion the Serperior, Java the Rotom, Magia the Delphox, Speedy the Torterra, a Relicanth, and a Greninja.

"Nice Pokémon, but you're missing some Unova. Go, Zebstrika!"

The team Plasma members followed his cue and sent out a Klinklang, a Gothitelle , a Zoroark, a Mienshao, a Eelektross, and a Stoutland. The person in the back was trying to escape.

"Ellen, return Magia. Remember the gas leak. Haruka, go after the fleeing Plasma grunt, we'll clear the way. Darv, Bulldoze!"

Magia was switched out for Gnasher as attacks started flying. An Eelektross came flying towards Torterra, opening its mouth to use Ice Beam. It was intercepted by Victor's Rotom as he used Shadow Ball.

"Greninja, Tatami Flip!"

An incoming Focus Blast was blocked by Greninja's mat. Greninja leaped into the air above the Zoroark who used it.

"Hydro Pump!"

The Zoroark dodged the attack and was hit by Reclianth's Muddy Water. Greninja landed and dodged a Zebstrika as it went tumbling from Speedy's Earthquake. Haruka noticed the Gothitelle using Psychic on Typhlosion, slamming the poor snake into a wall.

"Crossroad Killing!"

Greninja rushed forward and slashed the Gothitelle with the move. Gothitelle stumbled back as the powerful dark type move landed a critical hit.

"Evil Pulse!"

Greninja leaped into the air and sent out a pulse of darkness. Fainting the Pokémon.

"Come on, we have to stop that guy. Get ready to use the Hydro Pump."

Greninja and Haruka ran towards the fleeing Team Plasma member. The other Pokémon were busy battling and couldn't stop Haruka.

"Now!"

Greninja jumped and blasted the man from the wall. He fell down painfully and almost dropped the thing he had cradled in his hand.

"Damn those useless people. Go, Simisage!"

The grass monkey appeared and gave a hoot. Greninja stared it down silently and prepared himself.

"Use Leaf Blade!"

"Crossroad Killing!"

The two Pokémon ran at each other and slashed each other with their arms. They parried each other's hits and came in for a second round. They parried each other again, causing Greninja to leap back.

"Evil Pulse!"

"Dodge and use the Energy Ball!"

The pulse of darkness missed, but the Energy Ball didn't. Greninja was thrown back as he took the super effective attack.

"Use Acrobatics!"

Greninja raced forward. He flipped in mid-air over the Simisage and sprung backwards on his hands. He twisted in mid-air and hit the Simisage as it used Leaf Blade.

"Energy Ball!"

"Dodge it!"

Greninja leaped into the air and used Dark Pulse again. Simisage dodged it as Greninja leaped forward with Night Slash.

The two Pokémon clashed with each other's moves. But the Simisage gained the upper hand. With a powerful finisher. The Simisage slashed Greninja and fainted.

"Return. Go, Cinderace!"

The rabbit Pokémon appeared. Eagerly bouncing on his legs as he anticipated kicking something.

"Flame Ball!"

The next few moments were a flash. Cindrace kicked up a loose piece of concrete and bounced it with his feet and knees. The spark became a flaming ball. Which he kicked. The Simisage dodged the move, but the fireball interacted with the gas around, and exploded.

The next day

"-I don't think he's a good fit for Oak Alpha." finished Scott as he talked to Commander O'Riley about Haruka.

"I see. Where is he now?"

"He went straight home and refused to answer any of our calls."

"No casualties I hope."

"None, but one Team Plasma member was injured."

"Okay, the reason I put Haruka in Oak Alpha was because I thought he'd be good on the team. I read his past and your involvement in it. He has faith in you. I was hopeful that you could teach him a thing or two. That you could help him fix his flaws and get him over his depression."

"Before yesterday. I hadn't seen him for a year, I didn't even save his friend."

"Maybe, but he'd still remember you. About how you'd at least tried to help, even if it didn't work out in the end. That's why he's on Oak Alpha."

"I see commander. Thank you."

Scott stood up and went outside the door. He was immediately confronted by Victor, Joyce, Juan, Ellen, Gavin, and Aisha.

"Were you all listening to my conversation?"

"No, we were waiting for you to finish," said Aisha. She brought out a pokéball and gave it to Scott. "Take, Darv should be feeling better now. The Eelektross attack was devastating."

Victor walked up holding Vicey. "We got a situation."

"Did you contact Haruka?"

"Vicey hacked through his messaging system and sent one for me since he blocked outside communications."

"We can go without him. It's not like he really wants to be part of the team," said Aisha.

"No, he's a part of Oak Alpha as we all are. Brief me on the situation and I'll catch up. I have somewhere important to go."

Fifteen minutes later

Scott pulled up in front of a homeless shelter. It was pretty old and rundown, meant for the crooked homeless people.

Scott knocked on the door. A lady opened the door and saw the Oak Agency insignia on his suit. She immediately was worried about the shelter residents.

"Excuse me, is anything wrong?" asked the lady.

"No, I just need to see Haruka Shinomiya."

"Oh, did you finally get proof that he killed both students?"

Scott gave her a cold stare. "He committed no murder."

The lady raised her hands in surrender. "Okay. follow me."

She took Scott through a number of corridors, many of the homeless people in the shelter gave him dirty looks as they passed. They made it to a room marked "keep out if you want social credit".

"This is it," she said before knocking on the door. "Haruka, you have a visitor."

Haruka didn't respond, she was about to knock again when Scott stopped her.

"It's okay, I know him on a very personal level. He'll understand."

With that, Scott opened the door and walked in.

He spotted Haruka on a beatdown couch, playing a video game on a mini TV. He heard Scott come in and barely looked up.

"What do you want Scott?"

"We have a mission to do. We tried telling you, but you apparently turned off all communications."

"Victor tried hacking through my phone. I got his message."

"So why haven't you gotten up and went with us?"

"Cause I'm not doing any missions."

"Why not?"

Haruka turned to face Scott and paused his video game. "Listen Scott, I'm not heading out there. Last mission, my first mission. I made a mistake and almost died because of it. Had it not been for Cinderace, I would be in the hospital, clinging to life. I joined Oak Agency because I have nowhere else to go. I'm moving to the apartments next week so that I'll have a decent place to live. I didn't join Oak Agency because I want to be throwing myself at gangs and evil teams to die!"

"So you fear death?"

"Being completely honest, I dread it."

"Then why did you join?"

"I already told you, it's because I need a better place to stay. My own parents won't accept me into their own house now that I'm eighteen!"

"As Oak Agency members, it's our job to throw ourselves into dangerous situations like that to help others. Even if it means the chance of death. Remember three years ago? When you wanted to help Emma? I even told you that you should stay back and let me handle everything. But you insisted on going, even though fighting gang members could lead to your death. Why did you do it?"

Haruka was silent for a moment. "I wanted to help her."

"It wasn't your job then, and it's your job now. Whether or not you fear death, you have to own up to your responsibility. I was your choice, and there's no going back on it now. You have to make a choice."

Haruka looked down. "I'll sleep on it."

Scott stood up and went to the door, he opened the door and started going through. Before he went through, he turned around to face Haruka.

"Better be a short nap."

Ten minutes later

Scott pulled up in his car, he saw everyone else waiting for him.

"Took you long enough, they're already here," said Ellen.

"Chill, they came two minutes ago. They haven't traded the hostage," said Gavin.

"How did meeting with Haruka go?" asked Joyce.

"He's probably not coming," said Aisha.

"Have faith in him Aisha. There's always the chance that he wants to change."

"He didn't change for three years, he just became more depressed and cynical."

"Focus on the mission! They're trading the hostage right now," said Juan.

"Damn it. Only thing we can do now is bust in," said Victor.

"Remember what happened last time we did that?" asked Juan.

"That was Haruka's fault, at-"

Scott sent out Xander. The Zoroark used Hyper Beam and blasted down the door.

"Oak Agency, put your hands up where I can see them."

"You," said one of the gang leaders.

"Bruce."

"You made me lose everything that day! My gang, my money, my reputation, my buyer, my goods, everything! You and that Haruka kid!"

"If you want to settle things now. Then why don't we have a one on one Pokémon battle?"

"That ain't how I roll," Bruce said as he pulled out a gun.

Scott barely flinched before Xander sprang forward, flames forming in his mouth. A sharp crack sounded from the weapon, but nothing happened as the scorching hot flames melted the gullet and flew towards the gun.

The gang leader screamed and dropped the gun before sending out his Pokémon. A nasty looking Gengar appeared and took a step back in surprise as it recognized Xander. The rest of the people in the room sent out their Pokémon.

A Tauros, Turtonator, Nidoking, Noivern, Crabominable, and Garbodor appeared. The other gang leader sent out a Bisharp.

"Here we go again." sighed Gavin. "Go, Speedy!"

"Out, Magia!"

"Come on out Candy!"

"Go, Java!"

"Wait here Pio. Out, Raptor!"

"I choose you, Relicanth!"

"Get ready to wreak some havoc," said the gang leader.

Xander leaped back as the Gengar used Shadow Ball. Xander unleashed Bitter Malice in retaliation and dodged another Shadow Ball. The Tarous charged forward and was met by Reclianth's Head Smash. The Noivern flew up into the sky and was pursued by Raptor.

"Double Team!"

Raptor vibrated and appeared to be eight Raptors. They all charged at the Noivern and attacked. The floor shook as Speedy used Earthquake, all the poison types in the room taking lots of damage. Magia used Psychic and hurled the Garbodor at Tauros before using Fire Blast on the Crabominable.

Candy used Protect on himself and Java as the Turtonator used Flamethrower. Java flew back to Victor and entered his frost form, using Ice Beam on the Nidoking as it fought Magia.

The Garbodor hurled a huge ball of poison at Relicanth, the move didn't do much and just caused annoyance to the Pokémon. He used Earthquake on it, but the Tauros intercepted him. The Noivern evaded Raptor's Fly attack and used Boomburst, the attack causing Raptor to fall out of the air.

"Okay Pio, let's do this!"

Pio leaped off his shoulder and used Volt Tackle. Charged through all the Pokémon, hitting Crabominable as it fended off Speedy. Java unsuccessfully tried hitting the Noivern with Ice Beam. The fast dragon used Flamethrower on Java.

"Quick, switch forms!"

Java switched his form again at Victor's side and went for heat form. He opened the microwave door as he flew towards the Crabominable.

"Would you like to be toast?"

He blasted Flamethrower at the Pokémon, it fainted as intense heat washed over it. The Garbodor and Nidoking fainted as Speedy and Relicanth landed chain Earthquakes.

"Alright! Use Ice Beam Relicanth!"

"Follow him Pio!"

Relicanth used Ice Beam on the Turtonator while Pio used Thunderbolt. The Turtonator turned his back and defended himself with his shell

"You want to use Head Smash!" shouted Juan.

"Okay! Head Smash!"

The Reclianth charged forward with his head. The Turtonator to no avail tried to stop it with Fire Blast. Relicanth slammed into the shell and knocked the Turtonator back. Pio used Thunderbolt on its exposed side.

"Speedy, Earthquake!"

Speedy slammed the ground and sent it splitting towards the Turtonator. The earth slammed into the Pokémon and knocked it out. At the same time, the Gengar fainted to a Bitter Malice.

The Noivern was the only Pokémon left. It flapped around, not willing to get hurt. Pio used a Thunderbolt and managed to hit. Reclianth's Ice Beam finished the job.

"Your Pokémon have been defeated, the only thing you can do now is surrender," said Scott.

"Tell me one thing first. What do you know about stat boosts?" asked Bruce.

They were caught off guard by the question. But it was Ellen who spoke.

"They modify a Pokémon's power. With enough stat boosts, a single Pokémon could have the potential to defeat an entire team."

"If you say that, go, Mismagius!"

The ghost type Pokémon appeared and immediately froze at all the opposing Pokémon.

"Unfortunately for you, you can't stack Calm Mind fast enough. Xander, use Shadow Claw."

Xander leaped forward and was about to attack, when something fast struck him. Xander was sent crashing into a wall where he fainted.

The Bisharp from earlier stood on the ground. It had disappeared during the fight.

"Stat boosts? Oh no," said Ellen.

"Doesn't matter. Speedy, Earthquake!"

"Sucker Punch!"

Right when Speedy was going to attack, the Bisharp rushed forward and struck it with a hand. Speedy immediately crumpled as if the attack was double super effective.

"My Bisharp has maximized his attack. With Sucker Punch, you won't be able to defend against him. Don't forget that he's fresh, your Pokémon have been fighting the entire time. Iron Head."

"Protect!"

Candy raised a barrier around them right as the Bisharp struck. He bounced off the barrier and attacked with Iron Head. The move damaged the barrier severely.

"What do we do?" asked Joyce.

"Once the barrier falls, we all attack at the same time," said Ellen.

They all nodded. Scott sent out Darv while Gavin sent out his Sylveon named Aurora.

"A fairy type isn't going to help!" hissed Ellen.

"You want me to use Joltik?" asked Gavin.

She couldn't give a response as the Bisharp finally ripped through Candy's Protect. All seven Pokémon attacked in an instant, even Candy.

The Bisharp was fast and smart. It dodged the Fire Blast and tanked a Dragon Breath before using Sucker Punch on Java, effectively avoiding the Flamethrower. It used Iron Head on Candy and Aurora before using Sucker Punch on Magia, causing Juan to leap away as the Pokémon charged forward with astonishing speed. Another Iron Head easily took out Darv.

Aisha's Reclianth tried using Earthquake, but was easily battered away by another Sucker Punch.

"Don't even dare trying to send out more Pokémon. My Bisharp will easily take those ones out as well. You've lost Oak Agency. A single Bisharp took out an entire team because of one move, Swords Dance. What do we do with you now?" jeered the other gang leader.

"Kill them, starting with the leader," said Bruce.

"Isn't that unnecessary?"

"You are a gang leader, and you think killing is unnecessary?"

"If we do that, we'll have Oak Agency and the entire police force on our heads!"

"They already are!"

"They'll be even more than ever! Why don't-"

He never got to finish his statement as a ball of fire slammed into his Bisharp. Two

more came in rapid succession and caused it to faint. Everyone looked at where the balls came from.

A Cinderace was in the process of forming another Pyro Ball, and next to it was Haruka Shinomiya.

"Of course you had to be here! The two people I hate the most in my life are in the same place!" shouted Bruce.

Haruka looked up, a smirk on his face. "My name is Haruka Shinomiya, I only fear two things in my life, and neither of them is you. You believe that the mighty should stay up and that anyone who stands against that philosophy should perish. Which is why I stand here right now. To end your twisted way of thinking!"

"Did you get that from an anime?" asked Juan.

"Not exactly. Cinderace, I think it's time we put the right in wrong."

Cinderace fired a Pyro Ball at the two leaders, they dove to the ground as they dodged the attack. Scott and the others sent out their other Pokémon as the gang leaders started to stand up.

"You should probably stay down," said Scott.

Bruce shoved the other gang leader in front of him and ran. "Hold them off!"

"Damn it, he's going after the hostage. Haruka!" shouted Scott.

Haruka ran after Bruce as the gang members sent out their weakened Pokémon. He chased Bruce into a room where there was a woman lying on the floor. Tied and obviously drugged.

"I think you'd remember being in a situation like this Haruka. Unfortunately, there's no window for me to dive out from with this lady."

"If you want to go that way, fine. I'll take you one on one."

"That ain't how I roll."

He pulled out a knife and swung it at Haruka. Haruka ducked under the knife and took a step back as Bruce tried stabbing him. He leaped to the side and ducked to avoid another vicious arc.

"Just stand still and die!"

Haruka leopard to try and tackle Bruce, but missed. He rolled away from a stab and jump to his feet. Bruce became extremely angry and started swinging rapidly. Haruka dodged left and right, avoiding a series of swings and stabs.

"I will kill you if it's the last thing I do!"

Haruka dodged another swing and spun around. He let go of a pokéball as he turned to face Bruce. The pokéball bounced off Bruce's chest and opened.

A massive Tyranitar appeared from the pokéball as Bruce was about to do a stab. The blade bounced harmlessly off of the Tyranitar's skin. It opened its mouth and yawned.

"Tyranitar, use Fighting Spirit Punch."

Tyranitar tightened his focus, Bruce was frozen in fear as he watched the huge Pokémon ready the powerful move. Tyranitar punched the floor under Bruce, causing everything to split apart. Bruce went flying as the indirect force caused him to slam into a wall.

Scott, Joyce, Juan, Victor, Ellen, Gavin, and Aisha came running in a minute later. They saw Bruce laying slumped against a wall, Tyranitar sleeping, and Haruka standing over the woman.

"See Haruka, I knew you could make the choice," said scott as he inspected Bruce.

"I think I might be sleepwalking actually. I took a nap on it."

Aisha walked up to Haruka. "I know you weren't here to hear what I said. But I apologize for saying some stuff about you earlier."

"It's fine, I don't really care."

"Well I say you did great today Haruka. I guess your life isn't a series of long failures after all," said Gavin.

"Anyways, let's get this mess cleaned up. By the way Haruka, you're moving next week right?" asked Scott.

"Yeah."

"Well, you're gonna need a team to help out."

Four days later

With the help of Oak Alpha, Haruka was already situated in his new home. They were playing a video game on Haruka's set.

"Ha ha, you can shield against Storm Throw!" shouted Victor as his onscreen Thro threw a Zoroark into the ground.

A Mewtwo attacked the Thro with Psystrike and threw him off the ledge. The Mewtwo then jumped off the stage, used Psychic to knock the Thro downwards and teleported back to the stage.

"Give Scott a break, this is his first time playing video games," said Haruka as he made his onscreen Mewtwo spam taunts.

Scott indeed was playing the game for the first time and spammed the attack buttons as he suffered against Juan's Raichu. He finally managed to land a Night Daze and stunned Raichu long enough to accidentally throw himself off the stage.

Haruka soon easily beat Juan, having only lost one life. He passed his remote to Gavin and stood up as Gavin took his spot.

The rest of them passed their controllers to those who hadn't played, but Ellen refused.

"No video games before six."

"Can't you make an exception? We're having a mini party," said Victor.

"I guess this once. But I'm warning you guys, I'm pretty good."


And that's the end of chapter eight. With the addition of my second story. Story updates will be slower. But I'll try to post one chapter here and one chapter for my second story within 1.5 weeks.