Chapter 14 – Eight Years Pass

Colress,

I hope you haven't forgotten about Team Plasma while you're galivanting around university. I have enclosed some pamphlets that Rood put together for you to distribute. I hope you'll come back from your studies with more than just a degree.

Ghetsis

To the almighty Lord Ghetsis,

No amount of galivanting could allow me to forget your noble goals. I will, of course, hand out these pamphlets to the many friends I have made here.

I am greatly enjoying university, thank you for asking. I'm sure you will be pleased to hear, the theme of my research is: "Bringing out the power of Pokémon."

The facilities at Castelia University are world-class, I have already made more progress in my research than I did in all my years at Blueberry Academy. When Team Plasma eventually procures a legendary dragon, I look forward to breaking the very limits of its potential.

Please keep me updated on Team Plasma's efforts in the fight against Pokémon oppression, I could use something to read other than my textbooks.

Your obedient servant,

Colress

Colress,

I am glad you find this all so amusing. Might I suggest you distribute the pamphlets outside your expansive group of friends, lest they gather dust in your bedroom.

I am indeed pleased to hear about your choice of specialty. The applications for such research will be far-reaching. The sages are beginning to come around to the idea that we will need to be the sole bearers of Pokémon, in order to enact our vision. If you develop anything that will help us to become stronger, I hope you will share it with us.

Team Plasma is growing at a steady rate. Despite our departure from Blueberry Academy, Team Plasma remains an important group there, run by the younger members. We are also beginning to get a foothold in other parts of Unova, where the sages are spreading the word in their respective fields of work.

I'll take this opportunity to remind you that a university would be the perfect opportunity to gain valuable allies.

I will keep you updated on further developments,

Ghetsis

To our benevolent overlord,

You wound me, Ghetsis. I was hoping to keep up the charade of the most popular student on campus for a little longer.

I would be delighted to share with you what I have been working on. I have enclosed a prototype of what I call the Colress Machine v1. It is a simple device that sends a jolt of adrenaline through a Pokémon. It could come in handy in a pinch, particularly when your Pokémon is weak or tired. Give it a try and tell me what you think.

I haven't amassed a Team Plasma army at the university yet. Alas, that appears to be your talent alone. However, I have been speaking with a peer that I believe could be a useful ally.

His name is Dudley and he is a fellow scientist, specialising in Pokémon genetics. His father was involved in a project in Kanto, creating an extremely powerful Pokémon from nothing more than a fossil. If Team Plasma were to have the resources in the future for such a venture, I believe he may be able to replicate his father's work.

I look forward to hearing more of Team Plasma's recent exploits.

Yours faithfully,

Colress

Colress,

The Colress Machine, although moronically named, has proved to be useful. I hope that you can send more, I would like for the sages to have one each. Their battling skills are average at best and they need all the artificial advantages you can invent.

Dudley's endeavours are intriguing indeed. I am interested to hear more about your work with him. The ability to create our own Pokémon, to engineer it to be the perfect weapon, is exactly the kind of innovation Team Plasma needs. Good work.

Do not fret about Team Plasma's resources. My father has unfortunately met his untimely demise, leaving me the sole heir of the Harmonia estate. His body has not been recovered, so we may never know what happened.

The silver lining of this tragedy is that Team Plasma's preparations may now begin in earnest. I have several facilities being constructed as we speak, including a laboratory. Zinzolin and I have come up with the ingenious system of convincing trainers to release their strong Pokémon, only to covertly recapture them and extract some free labour on our construction sites.

I have one more curious update for you, my friend. Rood, ever the insufferable do-gooder, volunteers at the local orphanage. He has informed me that there is a child there who can communicate with Pokémon. Rood says it's truly remarkable, he understands them as if they were speaking perfect Unovan. I have been thinking about how I could make use of this. I would be foolish to pass up such a rare gift.

I hope to hear from you promptly,

Ghetsis

Lord Ghetsis,

How sorry I am to hear about your father. I am glad that you have been able to see the positives in such a dark time.

A human who can understand Pokémon is a curious thing indeed. Think of the advancements I could make if I could hear from the Pokémon themselves about the effect of my experiments! Have you had a chance to talk to the child? Are they perhaps to be Team Plasma's youngest recruit?

I have spoken further with Dudley, who is very interested in this lab you are constructing. We have begun the preliminary research on the requirements for genetically engineering a Pokémon. To put it in layman's terms, it is a similar process to cloning. We will be working with the DNA of an existing Pokémon and improving it with the power of science! It is quite fascinating, really. In the coming months we should have a better idea of what will be possible.

I will keep you updated on my progress.

Colress

P.S. I have enclosed more prototypes of the Colress Machine v1 for the sages. I am working on the Colress Machine v2, you'll be the first to know when it is ready for testing.

Colress,

I am pleased to hear of your progress. As ever, you are an important asset to Team Plasma. When the construction of the P2 Lab is complete, I will need your input on the technology you'll require.

As for the child, I decided that the best way to secure his gift for Team Plasma was to adopt him as my son. His name is Natural. He is a warped boy, raised by wild Pokémon deep in Lostlorn Forest. He can understand Pokémon, just as Rood said. With time and teaching, I believe that he could be more important to Team Plasma than a strategic advantage. Imagine it, Colress. The face of Team Plasma: Not me, but an enigmatic young man with a divine gift. Who could disagree with him if he was the one spreading the message? He heard that Pokémon want freedom directly from the Pokémon themselves.

Rood is loyal and dedicated to the cause, but he is becoming quite the thorn in my side. There are two other orphans, young girls, who are quite attached to Natural. Rood insisted that I couldn't separate them, so I have reluctantly taken them in too on the agreement that they will take care of Natural. I hope that the boy lives up to my expectations, because raising three children was not an outcome I ever planned for.

Have you given any thought to the matter of Reshiram and Zekrom recently? I have not been able to find any useful information about them. I would appreciate your input on the matter.

Ghetsis

The Pokémon Research Quarterly

Young Talent Emerges at Castelia University: Dr. and Dr. Achroma's Son Exceeding Expectations

Castelia University's Pokémon Research Department is abuzz with talk of its newest prodigy, Colress Achroma, an 18-year-old student who has already begun to make waves with his innovative research on enhancing Pokémon performance. His recent presentation on the use of neural stimulation to increase a Pokémon's abilities has sparked both admiration and concern within the scientific community.

'We need to ensure that scientific curiosity does not come at the expense of Pokémon welfare,' says Professor Elara Willow, a leading expert in Pokémon ethics.

The son of Bridget and Conrad Achroma was always going to be one to watch, but whether his unorthodox approach will find favour in the long run remains to be seen.

To the Dark Lord,

Congratulations on your recent venture into fatherhood. I must admit, that wasn't on my bingo card for this year. Do you take them to the park, or perhaps the zoo? You must indulge me, my friend. I have barely been able to concentrate on my studies, imagining you with a small Ghetsis riding on your shoulders.

I will be eagerly awaiting updates on the P2 Lab, I have enclosed a rough guide to the basics that it will need, I will create more detailed specifications upon its completion.

Dudley and I have selected a suitable Pokémon to extract DNA from, the extinct Pokémon Kabutops. We have secured a fossil from Nacrene Museum and we are now in the initial process of cloning the specimen. If we are able to genetically engineer this data into a brand-new Pokémon, we could pick any attributes that we desired. Why, we could give it a giant cannon if we wanted to! Pokémon genetics are truly amazing!

I will admit that I haven't given the legendary dragons much thought as of late. Leave this with me, perhaps something will come to me.

Yours truly,

Colress

Colress,

Perhaps you should spend more time researching the dragons and less time laughing with glee at my misfortune, then you may actually turn up something useful.

My work with N is a tedious task. I don't care for children. Having three children running around the manor grew tiresome, so I mostly keep them confined to their rooms now. However, my work does seem to be paying off. He has grown quite attached to the Pokémon I've been bringing home for him. I have specifically selected Pokémon who have been mistreated by humans, to forge an unshakable belief that Pokémon must be separated from humans for their own salvation.

You see, Colress, the pieces of my plan are all falling into place. Team Plasma, and eventually Unova, needs a king. A leader that the people will look up to and respect. Originally that would have been me, but my body no longer reflects my ambitions. The king will need two eyes and two hands. It is no matter though, in a way I like this plan better.

N will be conditioned with the singular ideal that Pokémon must be liberated. He will be taught how to be a king and lead the people. But make no mistake, although he is the king, I am the chess player. Every piece on the board is there because I made it so.

Ghetsis

P.S. Yes, give the Kabutops a cannon.

The Pokémon Research Quarterly

Colress Achroma Continues to Push Boundaries: Brilliant or Reckless?

Just two years into his studies at Castelia University, the son of Bridget and Conrad Achroma has already completed his undergraduate degree at a record pace, thanks to an accelerated program designed for exceptional students.

Colress has established himself as one of the most promising - and polarizing - young scientists in the Pokémon research field. His groundbreaking work on Pokémon psychology, which explores the impact of stress and stimulus on performance, has earned him accolades, including the prestigious Uva Research Grant.

However, concerns about the ethical implications of his methods continue to grow. 'There's no doubt he's incredibly bright, but he's walking a fine line,' notes Dr. Kasim Elmira, an authority on Pokémon behavioural studies. 'Some of his recent experiments are clearly exploiting loopholes in the Pokémon Welfare Regulations.'

As he rises through the academic ranks, it seems Colress is determined to make a name for himself - no matter the cost.

To the Puppet Master Supreme (Can I call you PMS for short?),

It appears your plan is all coming together, indeed. Will your little king have a coronation?

As you suggested, I took a brief intermission from chortling at the idea of you cutting up N's Magikarp fingers for him. I have been reading the university texts on the legendary dragons and as you said, Reshiram was last sighted at Dragonspiral Tower. Did you know that Zekrom was last sighted at Relic Castle, in the desert? Perhaps it's worth taking one of the sages on a trip there? I recall Viomare being green with envy that he didn't get to witness your heroism on our last excursion, I would be happy for him to fill in for me this time around.

The Kabutops DNA analysis is coming along well. I must confess, I was joking about putting a cannon on it. However, after giving it some thought, perhaps a cannon would be an enjoyable challenge. After all, we are trying to make a new Pokémon, not a powered-up Kabutops. I have been drafting designs for the creature and I am toying with the idea of a back-mounted cannon, similar to a Blastoise. I will keep you posted on the exciting developments.

Colress

Colress,

No, you may not call me PMS.

A coronation is a marvellous idea. Of course, there will be one when he becomes the king of Unova, but why not hold one for the start of his reign over Team Plasma? We will hold it on his sixteenth birthday. By then, construction on the castle will be complete and we will have enough members of Team Plasma to form a sizable army. After he is crowned, it will only be a matter of time before Unova will be mine. There is just one piece still missing. The dragons.

I will be frank with you, Colress, my patience with Zinzolin is growing thin. He has always been reliable, particularly due to that wife of his and her unwavering dedication to Team Plasma. Perhaps you may have heard, Claire Viomare died quite suddenly a few weeks ago. He's been a liability ever since. Rood – as you can imagine – is adamant that he needs patience and compassion. Two things that I do not possess. I am merely thankful I have you, Colress, who understands what a terrible nuisance it is to endure the trivialities of people's feelings.

I will take Zinzolin to Relic Castle, as you suggest. Perhaps it will remind him that he is not important enough to become a burden and get away with it. Out of all the sages, he is the most proficient trainer, specialising in ice-types. The other sages still leave something to be desired. As battling Pokémon is contradictory to Team Plasma's message, they are reluctant to dedicate much time into it.

I am not making the same mistake with N. Along with his training, I am teaching him to be strong. His ability to communicate with Pokémon is quite useful in battling. He can form bonds with any Pokémon rapidly and ask them to lend him their strength.

That being said, if you do create any more of your machines, Team Plasma would greatly benefit from the advantage.

Ghetsis

P.S. Make the Kabutops fly too.

To the Grand Vizier,

I have enclosed several prototypes of the Colress Machine v2. It has improved range and creates a longer-lasting power spike than the v1. Please let me know how these perform in the field.

Perhaps you could run through this plan of yours one more time, I don't believe you've mentioned a castle before. And there I was believing that the P2 Laboratory was the development to look forward to!

How flattering, that you required a compassionless confidante, and you thought of me. I must admit, I wasn't aware Viomare had a wife, let alone that she was dead. If he wasn't such a tiresome fellow, perhaps I would feel bad for him. Regardless, keep me updated of your adventures in Relic Castle.

Mine and Dudley's work on the Kabutops clone is coming along nicely. We are calling the creature Genesect, due to a curious effect where it has changed to a bug-type Pokémon during the cloning process. I have added the power of flight to my list of requirements for the creature, although I must ask that you curb your imagination for the time being. There are many years of this project ahead of me, I'm sure that you would like to see this Pokémon come to life before we are old and grey.

Colress

Colress,

Do not concern yourself with the castle. I assure you that the surprise will be all the better for your ignorance. For now, I would prefer you to prioritize your research. I would like this Genesect of yours to be at Team Plasma's disposal sooner rather than later.

Relic Castle did not turn up anything of importance, although it has had the intended effect on our dear sage, Zinzolin. He appears to have come to his senses, displaying his usual competence again. A welcome change, I was at my wits end with his infernal moping.

Now that I think about it, perhaps there was one thing that caught my attention in Relic Castle. We found a concealed chamber with a plinth that seemed to have displayed an artifact of some kind, but the object itself was missing. I wonder if that missing item could have been the clue we were searching for.

As always, I will keep you updated on a need-to-know basis.

Ghetsis

To the Supreme Commander of Unova,

Very well, I will await this grand reveal of yours with bated breath. Your penchant for the dramatic never fails to amuse.

As for the Genesect project, I do appreciate your sense of urgency, though I must remind you that true innovation requires time. No matter, I'm sure you've factored that into your vision of the future. A Pokémon wielding such power will be worth the wait! You'll have your weapon, even if I must build it molecule by molecule.

Regarding Relic Castle - how fortunate Viomare is back to his delightful old self. I would have been quite heartbroken if he had, perhaps, been lost forever in quicksand. I confess, your discovery of the missing artifact does pique my curiosity, but I shall leave that mystery in your ever-capable hand.

With all that said, I believe my time has come to return fully to the laboratory. You can consider this my final update for the foreseeable future. Should you require another technological marvel, you know where to find me - though I suspect your castle will keep you entertained for quite some time.

Yours in pursuit of progress,

Colress

The Pokémon Research Quarterly

Colress Achroma Earns PhD

At just 25 years old, Colress Achroma has completed his PhD at Castelia University, officially earning the title of Dr. Achroma. As the son of esteemed Pokémon medical researchers, Drs. Bridget and Conrad Achroma, Colress was always expected to follow in his parents' footsteps. However, his path has been anything but conventional.

Achroma's dissertation, titled "Bringing Out the Potential of Pokémon," has garnered both awe and alarm in the academic community. His unorthodox methods for enhancing Pokémon abilities have pushed the boundaries of ethical research, with some questioning his adherence to even basic Pokémon welfare standards.

Professor Eloise Burnet, a senior faculty member at the university, remarked, "Dr. Achroma's work is undeniably innovative, but it would have been just as impactful if it had been a theory alone. Testing this kind of equipment on Pokémon without following proper welfare protocol is irresponsible and reckless."

Colress himself appears unbothered by the ethical debates surrounding his work. When asked to comment, he stated: "Success isn't measured in pieces of paper. It's measured in how much you're willing to sacrifice to achieve it."