Et Tu, Unova? Chapter Fourteen, a pokémon fanfic

Chapter 14

As Ash leaves for his meeting on the Ferris Wheel, the Subway Bosses attempt to stop the runaway train car that has trapped Shauntal along with them. But there is no emergency brake in this part of the train and the doors between cars seem to be as stuck as those leading out of the train. Shauntal calls for Banette to slip through the steel with its shadowy form to see what's occurring outside, but it receives an electric jolt as it tries. The train car is apparently magnetized by a powerful electromagnetic force. This information is helpful to Ingo and Emmet, who call for Excadrill and Eelektross to team up and open the door to the next car closer to the conductor's car. When they make it through, the trainers find a Liepard, a Scrafty, and a Garbodor waiting for them in the next car. Apparently the Subway Bosses will have to take on their own challenge to stop the runaway train. Crustle, Archeops, and Jellicent emerge ready to battle their way forward.

Meanwhile, Jessie waits for the next Brown Line train to arrive. As she impatiently taps her foot, out of the corner of her eye, she spots a recognizable fashion disaster. She follows the Team Plasma grunts to where they meet with one of those sage people.

"Excellent work, team," the sage says, "Achieving our goal here will bring Team Plasma's ambitions a large step closer to fruition." One of the grunts hands the sage a package. Jessie doesn't know what's in the package or what plans they're talking about, but Team Plasma annoys her enough that she'll stop them anyway.

As the members of Team Plasma attempt to depart, a Spider Web blocks their progress. Those who try to turn back are Constricted in Frillish's tentacles. The grunts and the sage send out their Pokémon, but they're easily dispatched by Jessie's. Jessie knows she's faced stronger Pokémon from Team Plasma, especially those belonging to the sages, and wonders why those ones aren't making an appearance.

Ash meets up with N on the line for the Ferris Wheel. As they hand the operator their tickets and board the compartment, N begins the conversation.

"I apologize for my abrupt exit from the tournament grounds: after our battle I felt I needed time to process what you said. You clearly do know your Pokémon quite well, but I have to wonder, why do you battle?"

"I battle so me and my Pokémon can get stronger and be the best. All of us working together makes us all better."

"But what is the purpose of the strength you seek? What makes battles the best method of working with your Pokémon?"

"I wanna be strong so I can be a Pokémon Master. Battles are the way to do that for me, but if you want to do contests or other things with Pokémon, I think that's great, too. Just as long as you all do it together!"

"And then there's that term: Master. Because as you capture a Pokémon inside a Ball you exert your will on it, changing its behavior from what it was in the wild to a mere extension of your ambitions."

"That's not how catching Pokémon works! I've had Pokémon that wouldn't listen to a word I said before or after I caught them. It took figuring out what each of those Pokémon wanted for us to be able to get on the same page and work together as friends."

As the conversation has been going, the compartment has reached the pinnacle of the Ferris Wheel and all of Nimbasa is visible. As the trainers inside pause to take in the vista, the compartment comes to a sudden stop. The Ferris Wheel appears to have broken down.

"How odd, the Ferris Wheel typically has no problems," N explains, "But I suppose it's fortunate in that it gives us more time to continue our discussion. Please tell me more about how you worked with disobedient Pokémon."

At the train station, Jessie has reduced Team Plasma's forces to just a Dwebble and a Vanillite, which Frillish and Seviper will soon have defeated as well.

"Ah, Giallo, I see you're in a spot of trouble." Another sage walks up, "I suppose that was a risk inherent to your plan, but never fear. My companions and I will resolve the situation."

The new sage and his grunts send out their Pokémon, and these are more what Jessie is used to seeing from Team Plasma. The sage's Emolga speedily glides around the station, swiftly defeating Frillish, Yanmega, and Woobat. His Scolipede uses poison to bypass Wobbuffet's reactionary attacks and super effective Bug-type moves to defeat it. The grunts have their Gurdurrs use Rock Throw and Bulldoze to defeat Joltik and Seviper. In moments, Jessie has gone from dominating the battle to utter defeat.

Team Plasma recalls their Pokémon and heads off towards the platform for the train leading west. Some announcement plays from the PA system, but Jessie is too distracted to pay attention. She just tried to play the hero - like a Twerp, even. Clearly she's not cut out for it. Is she even making the right decision in fighting this Team Plasma? Bronius had seemed appreciative of her insights in Castelia City. Maybe Team Plasma would have more to offer than Team Rocket did. Jessie's internal monologue is interrupted by a voice from behind her.

"I can heal your Pokémon, you know."

Three cars closer to the controls of the train and Shauntal and the Subway Bosses are beginning to feel the strain. Archeops falls to a Gyro Ball from a Ferrothorn and a Basculin cuts through Crustle's defenses. Meanwhile a Reuniclus has used Heal Block and a series of powerful special attacks to fight Jellicent to a draw. Emmet's Haxorus comes out to defeat Basculin while Ingo finishes off Ferrothorn with his Chandelure.

"These are well-trained Pokémon," Shauntal notes, "Clearly indicating that whoever placed them here greatly desires to slow our progress. I have been respectful of your train cars to this point, but I fear that stopping whatever nefarious plan has led to our current situation must now take priority. I will handle the doors between cars from here, the two of you should focus on the Pokémon awaiting us in the next car."

The Subway Bosses reluctantly agree, especially as there are still two cars between them and the engine room. Shauntal sends out her Golurk. With its head scraping against the ceiling, Golurk uses its powerful clay fists to punch through the next door as if there was nothing blocking its path. Shauntal's advice seems to have been quite insightful, as six growling Pokémon await the trainers in the next room. Eelektross, Excadrill, Haxorus, and Chandelure get to work as Shauntal temporarily calls Golurk back so she can move. Her Drifblim joins the fray.

Ash has explained about his Charizard, Primeape, and even Pikachu to N's fascination.

"So your bonds with your Pokémon are what changed their opinions of you. Fascinating. But what about trainers whose goals don't align with those of their Pokémon?"

"Well, there's a few ways to deal with that. I had a Lapras who was separated from its family. It was my Pokémon and was great for battles and riding around the Orange Islands, but as soon as we found its family we said goodbye. My Pidgeot is defending its home in the Viridian Forest, but it's still my Pokémon and can choose to come back with me if it feels its home is safe. And then there was this Aipom I had who seemed to prefer contests to gym battles, so I traded it with my coordinator friend Dawn for a Buizel who loved to battle. And once Aipom evolved, it discovered its love for Ping Pong and so Dawn let it go with someone who could help it achieve that goal. Or a trainer could choose to also participate in the activities that would make their Pokémon happy. There's lotsa ways for Pokémon and trainers to bond!"

"You have a Pokédex, though. What of the trainers who catch every Pokémon they can find just to fill that out?"

"I think those people end up using more of their Pokémon than they think, but even if they don't the Pokémon Professors in each region have ranches set up so the Pokémon that aren't in their trainers' parties can go around like they would in the wild but also go help out their trainer if it comes down to it."

"But on these ranches, their power is by necessity restrained. Shouldn't Pokémon be able to exercise their full might?"

"Even in the wild, if that power would destroy a Pokémon's home it wouldn't use it. Why wouldn't that be the same if the Pokémon's home is a ranch?"

"And Poké Balls themselves. You've said that your Pikachu does not enjoy them. How do you know your other Pokémon don't feel the same?"

"Because they'd tell me if they did. You can communicate with Pokémon without words, y'know? And I'm not the best person to ask about it, but I remember hearing from Professor Oak that Pokémon have some special thing that makes Poké Balls work for them - it's how big Pokémon can fit into a ball that can go in your hand. Someone who makes Poké Balls could definitely explain better, like Kurt in Johto or someone at the Devon Corporation in Hoenn."

"And so you just blindly trust the words of others and trust other people to care for their Pokémon as you would care for yours. I see."

"You're right. Most trainers love their Pokémon and would never mistreat them, but some would. But it's every trainer's responsibility to say or do something if they see that. That's how I got my Charizard and my Tepig after all. See…"

The last car before the control car has nine Pokémon in it, bursting to attack. Excadrill falls to Heatmor before Haxorus wins that fight. Zebstrika and Krookodile pile onto Drifblim, forcing Shauntal to withdraw it in favor of Banette. Emmet sends out Escavalier to distract Krookodile so Banette can focus on Zebstrika. But while he's distracted, Eelektross falls to Stoutland's might, though Ingo's Chandelure takes revenge. Alomomola proves too much for Chandelure, so Ingo switches to Accelgor, who speeds around the car and knocks out both Alomomola and Mandibuzz. Haxorus succumbs to Whimsicott's status-inducing moves before Escavalier can relieve it. Scrafty defeats Banette before both Subway Bosses team up their Bug-types to defeat it. Shauntal's Golurk faces off with the Cofagrigus blocking the doorway and barely manages to bash in the door before fainting.

The trainers arrive in the control car to see a Magnezone and three Magnetons manipulating the controls and magnetizing the doors. Their Electric attacks knock out the Subway Bosses' last Pokémon standing, so Shauntal calls on her most trusted partner, saved specially for the climax of battle. Her Chandelure traps Magnezone in a Fire Spin before knocking out all four Pokémon with Heat Wave. As the Subway Bosses rush to regain control of the train, a previously hidden Beheeyem Teleports away with the fainted magnet Pokémon. Shauntal sees it pop back up in every car behind her, scooping up the defeated Pokémon within.

Giallo, Ryoku, and their respective platoons of grunts breathe a sigh of relief as the PA announces that their train will arrive in five minutes. The angry redhead had been more of an issue than the plan called for, especially as Giallo's best Pokémon along with those of his team were busy on the Subway. But now that she's been neutralized, the package can be safely delivered to Driftveil. Suddenly the lights go out. One goes back on in the center of the room as a voice calls out.

"To protect the world from devastation." Apparently the redhead is back, Giallo thinks before a second light goes on.

"To unite the people of this nation." A man has apparently joined her.

"To denounce the evils of your fashion sense." Well, that's just rude.

"To reveal your lies which cause offense." And that could be problematic.

"Jessie"

"James"

Jessie grumbles as Shauntal stops her from seeing a Pokémon Musical, but goes to answer the phone. James is on the other end. He's gotten what he can from his family in Kanto and will be heading to a small (for them) vacation home in Anville Town next. One thing he was able to get from his staff was his Chimecho, who is still suffering from the lingering effects of its illness. There's a research institution in Unova that might be able to help James get what he needs to make a cure, so he wants to come with Jessie to reach it.

After realizing how easy it would be to get from Anville Town to Nimbasa City, Jessie makes James promise to be there for her contest. After her loss, she's even more furious because James never showed. He calls from the vacation home, which apparently had an issue with a haunting that he couldn't leave without resolving, but he'll be in Nimbasa City the next day and he's secured the help of his Unova staff for whatever protection from Team Rocket he, Jessie, and Meowth may need.

His train arrives and he sees Jessie sitting despondently on a bench. Her Wobbuffet still lies next to her unconscious. And if she used Wobbuffet to battle, she clearly needed all of her Pokémon. But Chimecho has learned a new move as it slowly recovered as much as it could, so James offers to heal her Pokémon. Heal Pulse takes care of the damage and Jessie explains the situation with Team Plasma. James goes to talk to the maintenance staff in the station and ask for a favor. No one would shake Jessie's confidence and get away with it.

"With two of us, there's twice the might!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!" The lights go back on.

Mime Jr. emerges from its Poké Ball and starts the ensuing fracas off with Teeter Dance. As Emolga flies in circles due to the confusion, Joltik traps it in webbing while Yanmega blasts it with Ancient Power. Scolipede falls to Growlie's Flame Wheel boosted by Seviper's Flamethrower. Frillish and Carnivine take on Giallo's remaining Dwebble and Vanillite with ease and the grunts' Gurdurrs are taken out when Wobbuffet sends their own attacks back at them while Woobat attacks from above. Ryoku's ace, Gothitelle, comes out, but is countered by James's new Yamask until the rest of the Pokémon are free to provide backup. Jessie and James have their Pokémon advance on the two sages and take the package from them. As the sages are backed into a corner, a Beheeyem Teleports into the station surrounded by a pile of fainted Pokémon before Teleporting back out with the sages and the Pokémon. The grunts have been left to their own devices and are soon rounded up by Officer Jenny, who notes that they've been responsible for break-ins all over the city. Jessie opens the box she took from Giallo, only to have packing peanuts fall out of an otherwise empty container.

"And with trainers like that," N says, "You really think Pokémon wouldn't be better off separated from humans?" The Ferris Wheel starts moving again.

"How could you even suggest that? Pokémon and human partnerships work both ways and make things better for everyone. If a Pokémon gets sick, wild or not, Nurse Joy will take care of it. Pokémon build so much in the cities that humans call home. Pokémon entertain children and humans help Pokémon take shelter in disasters. I've seen restaurants run by Pokémon and seen humans giving food to hungry wild Pokémon. I've seen Pokémon protect humans from other Pokémon and humans protect Pokémon from other humans. We need each other! You're probably right that some things could be better, but the only people who really talk about completely separating Pokémon and humans are those disgusting Team Plasma members. And they're just doing it so they have all the Pokémon, so it's not like they really care either."

The compartment reaches the ground and the trainers exit to the operator's profuse apologies.

"I thank you for your perspective Ash," N says, "I hope that if we meet again you'll have had time to consider mine."

At this the trainers go their separate ways. Ash heads off to train for his gym battle. Once he's gone, N circles to the back of the Ferris Wheel to retrieve his Klang and thank it for its hard work.

After an exhausting day for everyone, Ash feels ready to face Elesa and goes to meet up with his friends at the Pokémon Center. He warmly greets James and is happy to have another person in the group. When he finds out what happened in the subway and at the train station, Ash gets mad. He and his friends vow to stop Team Plasma's plans, whatever they may be.

Meanwhile, in a dark walk-in freezer, Giallo and Ryoku meet with Ghetsis.

"So, did you use Team Plasma's strongest Pokémon wisely or did you fail our King like so many of our brethren already have?" Ghetsis demands.

"No, sir," Giallo replies, pulling an ornate mirror from beneath his cloak, "When I saw that reinforcements had arrived for the troublemakers I made sure to stash this. It's spent a great many years in a box in a socialite's estate. Apparently she didn't like how the mirror made her look. Sad really, since this mirror only reveals one's true nature."

"Yes, humans really are foolish with both their Pokémon and their artifacts. Good work. Zinzolin and the King himself will take over this part of the operation from here. The two of you should return to Desert Resort and continue Ryoku's failed mission. I'm sure the Elite Four will have moved on by now."

The sages bow their heads and go to heal their Pokémon before starting on their next mission.

Author's Note: So... yeah. I've had this (and the next few) chapters done since the last time I posted (nearly two years ago now), so I feel bad that I didn't release them. After a period on the backburner, I'm back to working on this story, so I'm posting this chapter to get me started. In the meantime, the anime ended (Horizons? Never heard of it) with a whimper so I very much do want to get this series written - my goal is to get to the Kalos sequel before Legends: Z-A comes out, but realistically I'll probably disappear again before that. Storywise, James is back! He'll stick around for a little while, but I'm sort of committed to the whole TRio doing their own things bit for this story, so he won't have a major role. I'm playing around with characters and pacing for the next few chapters - this one had each character busy with their own thing and the next chapter I'm trying something different from a pacing perspective. Hopefully I'll get that up in the next week or so. Thank you to anyone who reads this story despite my extreme flakiness as an author. You are appreciated!