Chapter 10: Gladion

Gladion woke up, not knowing where he was at all. "Silvally?! Where are you!"

He heard a few voices. "Silvally #46 is very busy as of now, and it is no longer yours. Also including Porygon #59678 and Lycanroc #23079. Thank you for your business with us." A long tube from the ceiling starting whizzing and out popped 50 pokecoins. "If you'd like freedom please allow us to wipe all memory from your brain."

He seemed confused by this message and immediately panicked. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY MEMORY?! WAIT, WHAT IS THIS PLACE?!"

"You are in sector #452 of our secret organization in cell #64571 on the -64th floor." One of the robots said, handing him some food. "Best get comfortable, here are some burgers, a food with no utensils." The robot then pressed a button, which sent the burger into a long tube that went to his cell.

Gladion's eyes widened as he examined the burger. "What kind of evil organization are you guys running here?" He said this as he took a bite of the burger.

"Just eat your food, hungry human. We care for our guests, if they behave." The robot said.

"Hmph. Whatever." Gladion took another bite of the burger then started to think. "Hey, robot!" He called.

"Yes, human?"

"What's this organization called? I swear if you say something like Team Rocket-"

"Team Rocket, you mean the two surviving members, Jessie and James, and their pokemon? They are a mere fraction of the organization, Team Rocket has been gone for 5 human years, these three made a deal with the almighty boss, if they work for us they get to restore their organization."

Gladion was stunned by how forward the robot was. "So, who's the boss then? And wait, is this organization more evil than Team Rocket?!" He asked.

"Team Rocket, according to my inner website, aka my brain, Team Rocket was 45th in most evil organization."

Gladion scoffed. "So how bad are you guys? Top 20? Top 10?! Give me the rankings!"

"Settle for top 3, and the top 3 are working together to become one HUGE organization. Master Almighty is already in a meeting with the 2 other leaders. It will help that we are #1 already."

"Damn. And who's the third leader? Team Magma? Galactic?" Gladion thought aloud. "Actually, scratch that. Is it Team Plasma?!"

"None of those, simpleton!"

"Oh come on! Then who is it? Team Flare? Oh, maybe it's the Rainbow Rocket?"

"Rainbow Rocket... That's what Jessie and James are trying to revive. Team Flare is 3rd place because of what they did last year, their air raid and successful pokemon theft."

"Air raid? Pokemon theft? What happened last year? Wait, don't tell me they were behind the Ultra Beasts!"

"So the human is somewhat clever... Amusing."

Gladion was now incredibly worried. He'd heard the stories of what happened in Kalos. People and Pokemon wounded everywhere, countless property damage, and the chaos that followed. Not even to mention the Ultra Beasts and the disaster they caused.

"How do you guys even sleep at night knowing what you're doing?! Don't you have a soul?"

"No. I am a robot."

Gladion sighed. He should've known the robot wouldn't have answers. "Damn it! What can I do? How do I get out of here?"

"Have all memory wiped and you can escape." The robot said.

Gladion rolled his eyes. "Ugh, whatever. That seems like the safest option right now. Is there some button you push or something? I'm guessing it's not as easy as just asking." He chuckled nervously.

"If you have your memory wiped you will forget everything, from the names of your friends and family, to how to walk and talk."

Gladion thought back to his memories with Lillie, his mother, his father, and the Pokemon he loved. Not to mention all his friends and his rivals.

"Wait, so I won't remember my Pokemon? Or Lillie? Or my family?" His brow furrowed.

"No, I'm shocked that's what you're thinking about, I also said how to talk and how to walk." The robot said, trying to do an impression of rolling eyes.

Gladion paused. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was he really willing to throw away everything he knew and loved just for some freedom? As much as he wanted his freedom, he couldn't imagine living a life knowing he forgot everything.

"But... but what if something happens to my family or my Pokemon and I wouldn't remember?"

"I don't know, and you wouldn't realize that. You would hardly remember how to think!" The robot giggled. "You sure you want your memory taken?"

Gladion's eyes widened as he turned to the robot. "I... uh, no. I-it's fine. I'll stay here."

The more he thought about it, the more he realized how important his memories were. Especially when thinking about his family, the Pokemon he'd come close to, and his own memories. He wouldn't be willing to give all that up. But now he was stuck in this evil organization's base.

"Good!" The robot clapped. "Here is how you can call me if you need anything, like restrooms, food and drink." The robot then turned on a tv. "Bye!"

"Wait!" Gladion called out. "How do I call you? I might need you again."

"I gave you a tv remote/phone right?" The robot said. "Oh well, here it is." The robot sent the tv remote/phone through the tube. "If you need anything press 1 on the phone side and I'll come. This tv will put any show you'd like by voice interaction. So talk to it and the show will appear."

"Okay, that's definitely helpful. By the way, what's your name? Or is it just 'robot'?" Gladion was glad to have some entertainment while in this evil organization's base.

"Glad you're pleased, I am Bionic Mechanical Automated Cyborg #254, but you can call me B-MAC #254."

"B-MAC #254... that's a bit of a mouthful."

"At least it's not my friends name: Bionic Mechanical Automated Cyborg/Droid for Assists and Information #4653726525079252368723."

Gladion chuckled. "I'm guessing that's the name of the robot that helps you out here? The others must have similarly confusing and long names."

Gladion wondered if these robots had emotions. They were very advanced, and it would make sense if they were capable of that. But at the same time, he didn't recall ever seeing a robot feel anything.

"Hey, B-MAC #254. Can robots feel emotions?"

"We are highly advanced robots, so we can if we want to, but emotions are distractions, it's rare we use them."

"So can you guys feel sad? Scared? Can you feel lonely sometimes?" Gladion was curious to know, since he thought emotions were something only humans could experience. But it seems that wasn't the case.

"If we are lonely, we can talk to an AI bot inside our automated inner computer system inside our bodies."

"Wait really? You guys have your own AI chatbots?" Gladion thought for a moment. "Could I talk to your AI bot right now?"

"Am I not good enough?" The robot says, sadly. "See, I just used emotions."

"Sorry B-MAC, you're awesome, I just wanted to see what the bot inside of you was like." Gladion felt bad after hearing the robot's response.

"Does the bot have a name too?"

"Yes, it's called Bionic Mechanical Automated Cyborg #254's Automated Assistant for Thinking, Processing, Moving, Speech and Other Technological Commands. Also known as BMACAATPMSOTC #254."

"Jeez, you guys really love your long names, huh? How do you guys even remember them? Or is it ingrained into your system?" Gladion wondered if all robots were similar in that way, as he had never seen one act out emotion before. It was quite strange to see one actually show sadness.

"It's in our highly advanced system. If you'd like I can bring a chatbot clone of me into your room. For I need to assist other captives."

"Really? You can do that?" Gladion was surprised. "Is it the same AI bot, or an identical version of you? I'm a bit confused."

"An identical version of me that shares my computer brain, so It's exactly like me."

"Well, that's even cooler. Okay then, I'd like to meet the chatbot clone of you. How do I call it?"

"Press 1 on the phone."

Gladion took the phone again and pressed 1.

Another robot came whizzing over to him. "Hello again. To not confuse you I am B-MAC #254 Copy 1."

"Hello B-MAC #254 Copy 1. I must ask, do you share the same feelings and thoughts as B-MAC #254?"

They both answer at the same time. "Yes." Then the original B-MAC leaves.

"That was... odd. Did you both say that at the same time?" Gladion looked at the copy with confusion.

"Yes." B-MAC Copy 1 says. "Hang on, I am sensing something. B-MAC #254 wishes you goodbye."

"Goodbye?" Gladion was confused when he heard that. The chatbot was sensing feelings and emotions from the other robot... this was a bit surprising.

"That's interesting. Can you sense what I'm feeling right now?"

"Confusion."

Gladion was stunned by the simple answer the robot gave. "Well... okay then. That's...true. Can you feel other feelings like sadness or fear too?"

"Yes, it's overwhelming if we allow our own emotions to take over. This entire place is covered in fear, it's our jobs to make the captives comfortable."

Gladion noticed something interesting when the robot mentioned the fear of the captives. "So you're saying it's your job to keep the captives 'comfortable?'"

"Yes, that way you are ok with being locked up. And don't worry, we treat pokemon good as well for now." The copy says.

"For now?" Gladion looked at the copy robot with confusion. "That sounds... ominous. Why did you add that last part?"

"Master Almighty's ultimate plan, which he hasn't revealed yet to us."

Gladion nodded. "I see... So what are your orders exactly? Are you meant to comfort the captives or keep things orderly?"

"Both."

"Well... what if the captives don't want to be comfortable? What if they want to try to escape? What would you do then?"

"Electrocute them on first attempt, torture them on 2nd and wipe their memory on 3rd."

"Damn, that's brutal. Even as a robot. Why does the organization do that to the captives?" Gladion was beginning to learn more about the operations of this organization and why they were doing these horrible things to the captives and Pokemon.

"So that nobody else finds out about us."

"Oh. Wait, but I'm a captive and you've been open with me this entire time. Does that mean you trust me then?"

"Yes. You don't seem dumb enough to try to escape. You actually seem open to talking with us. It pleases me and my original version."

Gladion scratched his head after hearing the robot's compliment.

"Wait, so you're original version is... B-MAC #254 is it? Does the original like talking to me too?"

"Yes. That's why I am here, when you are talking to me B-MAC #254 receives what you say as well."

"Oh, that makes more sense. B-MAC Original is actually listening to me? What does it think of me?" Gladion wondered what the original robot thought about him, if it even thought anything at all.

"B-MAC #254 is feeling pleased, but is worried that he might have to electrocute someone on the 2nd floor that is trying to assault him. We never want to hurt the captives, just take their pokemon."

"Wow, you guys are nicer than I thought. Is this organization really so bad?" Gladion thought to himself. Maybe things weren't as black-and-white as he had initially thought.

"Wait... are you actually allowed to have a conversation with me about this stuff? What will your leaders think when they find out you were talking to one of the captives like this?"

"The leader's know."

"Wait, really? Your leaders know?" Gladion raised an eyebrow. "So can they hear this entire conversation?"

"They hear everything."

"So do they want you to talk to me or do they want you to keep quiet?"

"They say that the captives should stay happy while the entire world is doomed."

"... the entire world is doomed? That's not good... So, what do the leaders care about making the captives happy if the world is gonna be doomed?" Gladion was surprised to hear that this was one of the organization's goals.

"Also, is this organization the ones behind all the chaos going on with the Ultra Beasts and Necrozma?"

"Yes. We are. The world is doomed. So that's why the people fortunate enough to run into us are kept safe from the calamities to come."

"What even is the point of keeping the captives happy if the world is doomed? Wouldn't it be better to have them be prepared for it?" Gladion couldn't make sense of any of this. Why was the organization running with these confusing plans? Why were they keeping secrets from the captives even if the world is doomed? It just... didn't make any logical sense.

"You are confused. We keep captives happy because we know now which people are clever. You captives found us, so we rewarded you."

"Rewarded us?" Gladion was confused by this. He was held captive against his will. In what way was that a reward? And the other captives were just as unlucky. He wasn't sure if this was some sort of joke by the robot, or if there really was some kind of reward they were receiving.

"In what way have we been rewarded exactly?"

"No pain, unless you resist." The robot says.

"No pain... unless you resist? Wait, you mean there's pain involved if we try to escape?" Gladion's face had a worried expression. He already understood he might be shocked if he tried, but the thought of getting hurt, maybe even tortured gave him a really uncomfortable feeling.

"Yes."

"Wait, one more question though. What do you guys even want with us, the Pokemon, and the Ultra Beasts? What's the purpose of all this?"

"The Ultimate Plan that our master hasn't revealed yet."

"That's a bit ominous." Gladion was starting to get worried the more that the robot explained.

"Is your master the leader of this organization?"

"Yes."

Gladion's eyes widened. How big of an organization was this?

"You guys have been very straightforward so far. In all honesty, I have no reason not to trust you. Maybe I wouldn't trust the other robots here, they seemed a bit more cold-hearted."

"But it seems you don't have any intentions of harming me. So tell me, what exactly do you know about what your organization's plans are?"

"We have robot's, human's and pokemon all banded together and follow master. He says he has a huge reward for us. And he isn't lying."

Gladion was surprised by this. He was starting to believe the things the robot was saying.

"What do you mean he isn't lying?" Gladion was confused, but his curiosity started to peak. "What is the reward?"

"A surprise. I bet you want to know more about the master, right?"

"Well, yeah. Who doesn't want to know about the guy in charge? Especially when they control a large organization like this. So come on, who is this master?" Gladion was eager to hear about this mysterious master who apparently had the answers to this confusion. "Is he a robot or a human?"

"Neither."

"What? Then what is he?" Gladion was surprised by this response. If he wasn't a human or a robot, what else could he be?

"...What is the master's true appearance?"

The robot tells him. "None other than the most revered pokémon on earth."

It's been a while, hasn't it?
Sorry it's been taking so long, I've been focusing on my career at hand.

But I haven't forgotten about this story, and intend to continue! Little by little, step by step. I hope you all enjoy this story so far! :)