That was covered in the ending section of Chapter 4.4 if you're referring to Snivy.
Eevee Therapy for Little Magi (Pokemon x F/SN)
- Thread starter Tale Swapper
- Start date
Chapter 19: ...and Battle comes Swiftly
Tale Swapper
(Unverified Madman)
- Location
- Lost Among a Sea of Imaginings and Dreams
A Special thanks to 22, Azalios, Bohmej, Brian Lance, Chris Volcheck, Daniel Einspanjer, Daniel Hales, Edward Newkirk, Hart D, Jokarun, Kieth Kindall, laff monster, lawrence black, Leign, Manga09, Mars, NotaDragon, Philip Hunt-Bull, Priya Jain, PV2, Ronald Bueno, Russ Stilter, saganatsu, Shawn Whyte, Starfall20, Tanner Maru, Tristan May, Tynstert, and Whyte57Wyrms. Your continued Patronage is a huge impetus for me to keep writing!
Scowling, Rin glared at the walls of the corridor they were carefully moving down, as if expecting something to leap out and attack them at any moment.
"Nee-san, I don't think that glaring at the walls is going to give you the reason why there's seemingly no defenses on this floor," Sakura sighed, giving her sister a consoling pat on the back, "Libra and Other are scouting, they should be back soon."
N frowned as he spotted his friend emerge from the wall, both the little fox and the lantern following. He reached up, cradling Drifloon as he came to rest on his hands. <<Are you alright?>>
"Mostly. They know we're coming," The flying type explained.
"We barely managed to avoid detection. All of the remaining bandits have retreated to the top floor, and are preparing a gauntlet," Libra elaborated, her glass scuffed. "...I will be honest, we have a serious fight ahead of us."
"Unless we cheat, or go lethal and don't stop… we may not make it out," Other said dully. "And if we do go lethal…"
"They'll take the kiddie gloves off as well," Rin stated grimly, narrowing her eyes and placing a hand on her chin, looking at Agate. "How long, Agate."
"... They should have been here already, honestly. There's no reason that it should be taking someone from the League this long to reach us. Something's either delayed them, or I was somehow deceived." The Espeon stated tiredly, eyes sorrowful as she continued to breath heavily. She was still tired, and she'd been pushing herself to make sure everyone was able to fight.
"Likely the former," Sakura murmured. "...I think… they're coming. But they're not here yet," she murmured, her eyes flashing purple for a moment. "I'm not sure."
"We have got to find you a proper psychic tutor," Rin grumbled. "Nothing against your therapist, but she's an instinctive psychic, you need a human teacher."
N coughed. "Everyone is the best they will be. Except they're tired." He frowned. "I will have Leppa berries for next time."
"Let's hope there's not a next time," Ren muttered, trotting over from the gathered wild and rescued Pokemon, Noibat perched on his back. "We gathered some more allies from the tunnels, but not many. Most of them, if they'd hidden this long from the Reapers, weren't willing to try helping us push them out."
"I can't blame them." Ana grumbled, finally breaking her silence, "These guys… they aren't a joke, and it shows."
"No, they're not." Ren said. "This was a regional hub for them; the biggest safehouse they had on the peninsula." He eyed Rin. "They cleared out their stockpiles as they fell back to the first floor, but the watcher says they saw lots of shinies being carried up."
"How the heck did we end up in their Regional Stronghold again?" Rin asked rhetorically, sighing in both exasperation and exhaustion. This had been a hard fight, and she'd been burning mana the whole time in addition to directing her team while listening to Sakura's overall direction.
Shit wasn't easy.
"...it doesn't matter. We need to push, before they decide to just sweep down on us," Sakura muttered. "If we're caught, this turns into a hostage scenario. We need to keep moving." She looked at Noibat. "Is everyone ready to move?"
"As much as we can be," she replied grimly. "The grass and ground types have some new abilities now that we're above solid rock, but other than that, this will be a slog."
"... A Last Stand, then." Libra sighed, shaking her whole body in lue of a nonexistent head, "All we must do is hold out for as long as we can… Theirs not to make reply, theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do or die…"
Rin blinked, "That poem exists here too?"
"Hmmm? Ah, yes, Charge of the Light Brigade. A Galarian noble wrote it an odd century or two ago," Libra blinked, ghostly flame shutting off momentarily before it flared back into being. "Wait… What do you mean here too?"
Whatever Rin was going to say next was cut off by the bug on her hat chuckling. "Ah, we are not going to go down and die, lasses." He sprang off the hat, darting through the gathered Pokemon, sparking as he charged ahead. "We are going to triumph! CHARGE!"
Sakura blinked, then shrugged, dashing after him. "Gordon, wait up!"
The entire group charged ahead, N blinking a few times before he joined in the rush, snatching up an abandoned tool in the rush.
Daniel looked up, hearing yelling down the passage. "Well, the outer guards are…" A small explosion echoed in the middle distance. "Serving their purpose." He looked around the antechamber, the entrance to the chamber, fifteen men and women each with their Pokemon arrayed around them. This last entryway was not the only room these kids hadn't trampled through yet; but none of the others mattered. "Alright everyone, these kids have more gumption and power than most. Don't treat them or their allies lightly." He looked back as the makeshift doors separating the mine's former staging chamber from the maze of passages blew open.
The first figures to stalk through were a pair of young women, one dressed like a witch, the other in more traditional trainer gear, both heavily scuffed. At their heels trotted a pair of Eeveelutions, the Espeon at one side panting heavily, while the Umbreon remained stalwart despite the bandages on his barrel. A Snivy, a Hisuian Zorua, and a Lampent finished off the front ranks of the motley crew. Behind them, a swarm of Pokemon, many bandaged or similarly obviously wounded, filled the entryway, spreading out. Behind them, a young man with green hair stood between the battle group and a menagerie of pets and baby pokemon, a dented shovel held like a stave.
"...you know, in five years, you two might have beaten my men like kettle drums." Daniel acknowledged, stepping forward. The girls fixed their gaze on him, and he knew immediately that they'd seen the two Pokemon flanking him; Slyveon at his left, and Basculegion at his left. "Honestly? I can't blame you for trying. But I can see your teams are tired, and you're not doing so hot yourselves. Give it up, and I won't break a finger for every one of my boys you laid out down below." He promised, letting a wicked smile cross his face..
"We'll have to decline, Daniel." The brunette replied, sass oozing from her voice despite her exhaustion, "We know what the Reapers do to the people they capture, and we'd rather not, thank you."
Daniel blinked, before, ever so fleetingly, a look of genuine respect flickered across his face, so ephemeral that the two girls were likely to consider it a trick of light, an illusion. "You two are, by far, the most professional trainers that we've clashed with." He shook his head sadly, "You would have made fantastic members of the Reapers. Such a shame."
"We'd make terrible Reapers. Money is such a… stupid thing to shed blood for. The only thing more stupid is pride." The purple haired girl said quietly. "This is a land of plenty. And you pervert it for a quick profit."
Daniel sighed. "Perhaps you are just naive. There is always going to be crime, and organizations to conduct it."
"But not those who trade in flesh and chattel slavery." The violette hissed.
Daniel frowned. "There's a lot of trainers willing to pay for a particular Pokemon. We just bring down the price." He shook his head, gesturing forward. "I don't think we're going to come to an agreement. On your fingers be it." Without another word, every one of his allies leapt forward, and the girls and their battered army met them with a barrage. Daniel grinned. "Ah, a little excitement… honestly, this should be fun."
"This was more fun when I was hanging out in your head," Other groused, ducking a blast of fairy energy from a Whimsicott, responding with an Icy Wind. "On your left, sis!"
A shadowy tendril grabbed the offending Braviary and cratered them into a nearby wall, Sakura drawing deep into the abilities that Other had given her access to when she'd been reborn. "I see it! Rin-"
The sound of her sister's attacker being launched into the ceiling met her ears, Agate taking care of the Gurdurr before they could harm her trainer. "You stay the fuck away from her," the Espeon snarled, even as she shone with inner light, Dazzling Gleam being launched against one of the many groups fighting it out in the hallway.
Noibat fluttered through the crowds, supersonics disrupting several brawlers. She winced as she saw an allied Boldore flattened by a Simisage, turning her Air Cutter on the grass monkey. Even as the simian pokemon fell back with a screech, the massive head of an Onix interposed itself in the way of her attacks, blocking her from finishing the job. She fell back to avoid a rock throw, circling back to N, who'd just floored a man with his shovel. "We're getting surrounded! Can we fall back to the corridor, force them to come to us?"
"A couple of them got around behind us." Other panted, emerging from the floor and shooting an icy wind into the heaving brawl. "The non-combatants were fresh enough to charge the lines and break through; they're free. But it let them circle up the rest of us."
"I've got the Onix!" Ana cried, darting up to the giant rock snake and slamming her tail down on its body, the Leaf Blade eliciting a roar of pain and annoyance from the giant Pokemon. She glared at the larger Pokemon, the massive rock snake bearing its entire weight down on the much smaller serpent. "...yeah… this is… heavy…" Her eyes narrowed. "Not… going to stop me!" She screamed, light shining through her skin as she pushed back, tail flaring as she grew larger. Her tail blade tore into the skin of the rock-type, sending it tumbling back. The Servine thrashed her tail. "Yeah! Come on, you bastards! I'm riding this high!"
Daniel raised both eyebrows. "...they're doing better than I thought." He motioned forward. "I don't think we want to give them any more chances. Puck, Ironside; go ahead and wipe them out."
With a nasty smirk, Puck yowled in delight, diving into the barely holding lines that Rin and Sakura's teams were maintaining, nailing Ren with a surprise Play Rough that sent the Umbreon reeling. "Aww, what's the matter, squirt? Can't handle the big leagues?"
Agate spun to fire at the malicious Eeveelution, only to be bowled over by Ironside dropping out of phase with reality. "Stay down, child." He rumbled. "You cannot fight the tide."
Ana snarled, spitting a Leaf Storm to knock the water type aside, her power surging as she battled through her pain and exhaustion. "Get off her!" She snarled, even as Libra descended to blast the Sylveon with Smog. But as the group turned inward to deal with the two monsters in their midst, the storm of attacking Pokemon outside began to cut down their allies.
Sakura lashed out with a shadowy punch, knocking an enemy back, but she was forced to give ground, inch by inch as more Pokemon and their trainers filled the gap. N swung his shovel in an arc, warding off the attacking enemies, while Rin scabbled for her last usable gem.
Everything looked hopeless…
Until it wasn't.
"Houndoom, Fire Blast," a new voice called, his tone hard, the room dimming slightly, Sakura and Rin blinking as a weight lifted from their shoulders.
Other felt the heat only a short bit before she saw the colossal blast of flames shaped in the kanji for "big" speeding towards them at a speed most people would call "hax". Yelping, the fox broke free from the Swoobat she had been brawling with and dived into the wall; a move that proved unnecessary as Puck dove to intercept the blast as it headed straight for his trainer.
Daniel stumbled back, watching as his starter tumbled to the ground, scorched and unconscious. "Puck! Who the hell did that?" He yanked out two Pokeballs, returning Puck as he palmed another ball. "Krook-"
A gloved hand wrapped around the Pokeball, a thin man stepping from the shadows. "Ah, I think… you're out of luck." The entire room froze as a weight passed through the room. "Man oh man… Daniel, it's been a long time."
"...Grimsley?" Daniel swallowed. "We're fucked, aren't we?"
"Oh most certainly." Grimsley declared, his hand tightening painfully around Daniel's wrist, "I didn't expect the Reapers to have moles so highly placed in the League though," he stated casually, noting the complete confusion on Daniel's face, "Ah, I see, it wasn't the Reapers. Then I suppose you had a guest. You will give me his name, now, and I'll see if I can convince the courts to lighten the sentence a little."
Daniel winced. "...pretty sure he was using a fake name. But hey, we have his kid! Though I don't know his name, either. I mean, who calls themselves R and N, right?"
From his place amidst the wounded Pokemon, N blinked. The surrounding gang members were busy surrendering to the myriad Dark-types who'd broken loose of the shadows. "Ah… is my name really that strange?"
"YES!" Sakura, Rin, and Other spoke as one, glaring at their newmaybe friend.
Daniel blinked. "...okay, so he's actually named N. Is your dad actually named R?"
"...no. Though…" N frowned, trotting through the Pokemon to stand before the Elite four and the Reaper underboss. "Why was he meeting with you?"
"Kid, everyone wants Pokemon. Strong ones, from the wilds? Without badges to get past the rangers? We earn a lot of money selling those." He chuckled, only for Grimsley to sigh and smack his former friend.
"Well young man… I've never had to interrogate a child, and I'm not starting now," Grimsley said. "For now, if you ever want to talk about your father… you should be able to reach out to me." He looked up. "Alright, Reaper scum!" he called out, even as a group of Policemen and Jennies entered the room at a run, a squad of Joy medics at their backs. "Don't make any trouble, and we'll not have any unnecessary injuries today!"
Rin groaned, landing on her butt as she finally relaxed, feeling her circuits burn beneath her skin. "Thank the gods…" she muttered, dragging Agate into her lap. "...that was brutal."
Sakura limped over to her team, Ana supporting Ren's unconscious body. "Other, are you alright?" She asked as she sat herself down.
"My fucking everything hurts," the Hisuian Zorua griped, slipping into Sakura's arms and shivering violently. "And I got a taste of what the nastier parts of this world look like. I'm not all that great, to be honest."
"That was… less than jolly," Gordon mumbled, sparks firing off his fuzz. "Lassies, I'm happy to travel with ye, but please tell me we are not going to be having battles of this magnitude regularly."
"I hope not…" Rin muttered. She looked up as Grimsley walked over, trailed by an Absol and a Houndoom.
"Man o man… I never thought Juni would ever have to ask me to bail out her kids." The Elite Four member shook his head as he walked over to the girls. "We all knew she was a honeylove… well, not that it matters." He folded his arms. "Glad your bets paid off, kids. This could've gone very badly."
Sakura smiled wanly. "We are very much aware, Elite Grimsley. Thank you, for coming to rescue us. Given your questioning of their leader, I assume you were intentionally delayed?"
"Either way, we've got a few more Reapers tied up or otherwise incapacitated deeper in the mines," Rin added, sagging in exhaustion now that everything was over. "You'll want to bring them to me so I can release the hypnosis I put them under."
"...scary girl. You didn't teach either of your moms how to do that, did you?" He asked Rin.
"I mean, they did ask. Aurea more to try and use it for research, though Ivy wanted the hypnosis techniques for her dream research." Rin said.
Grimsely groaned. "Poker night… ruined." He turned to look at Sakura. "And to answer your question… ongoing investigation, can't talk about it." He shrugged. "Though I can say we are going to need to do a deep check of our transportation branch."
"Sakura, Rin, if you could ask Elite Grimsley what took the local police forces so long to arrive, that would be appreciated as well, let alone the local Area Rangers," Ren asked softly, still quite literally licking his wounds from earlier.
"I can understand you, darkling." Grimsely chuckled. "And that's also part of the investigation, though on that front, I can say that there's at least one man whose finances are a little too flush, if you know what I mean." His eyes went half lidded, and Absol grinned wickedly. "Don't go spreading that around. We need him as bait."
"We shall not," Agate promised darkly, eyes flashing with hidden darkness. "No one touches my skulk and gets away with it."
"Well said, sister," Libra added, malice dripping from her words.
"Hear hear!" Ana added in, pumping her tiny fist in the air.
"Imma rip the bastard to shreds, after he stops being bait," Other growled, the Zorua leaping onto Sakura's shoulders and butting her head against her sister's neck. "Now gimme pets, big sis. I'm tired."
Grimsely blinked as he saw the ghost type lifted into his sister's arms. "...you know, I don't speak ghost. So I shouldn't have understood her. But I'm not going to ask." He looked over at N, who'd had his hands wrapped in bandages, then back at the girls. "Will you all need stretchers? I can offer you a teleport or a ride, as the case may be."
"We would greatly appreciate that, Elite Grimsley," Rin stated professionally as she could from her position flopped on the floor, looking completely wiped. None of the others were doing much better, after all.
Grimsely nodded, waving up a group of medics and Jennies. "Alright, stretchers and carriers for three young warriors." He watched as his men hauled out the Reapers. "Least we can do for their help cleaning out this rot."
"...Grimsely managed to root most of our suborned and bribed members in the Nacrene Peninsula. Thankfully, most of them believe our middlemen to be agents of the Reapers or Uptown Men, so we remain mostly out of sight," Devon spoke, his facemask hiding the set of his mouth.
Ghetsis frowned as he looked at the Shadow, his brow furrowed. "A setback, though not a major one. There will always be greedy men, and the chaos of the loss of so many officials will allow our home-grown supporters to rise into the ranks." He turned to face Rood. "Make it so. We will need supporters in the right place to allow our words to spread upon N's coronation."
"At once, Regent Ghetsis," Rood bowed, before turning and walking from the room. Ghetsis waited until his fellow 'sage' departed before turning back to his head Shadow.
"And what of N? I assume he has been taken into custody?" Ghetsis ventured, striding past his agent. "We will need to time freeing him carefully. Enough time for him to be frightened, for the League to relax their attention, but not so much that he might cave."
"... No, the League did not take N into custody," Devon began speaking, for the first time since years ago sounding nervous. "He has taken to accompanying the pair of trainers that ruined our operations with the Reapers and disrupted our moles."
"...say that again?" Ghetsis asked, incredulous.
N blinked twice as he was pulled into the firm grip of a taller woman. Aurea Juniper smiled as she held the boy, mom-enhanced strength bearing him off his feet. "Thank you so much for helping my girls. They're good for their age, but…"
N wiggled slightly, a tad nonplussed by the affection. "They did good. Didn't need me for much."
"Yes, but they don't take care of themselves like they should. It's good you're going with them; they could use a medic." Ivy added from nearby, watching the tableau with amusement.
"Hey! We know first aid!" Rin complained moments later, scowling at her adoptive mother.
Sakura nodded. "And some healing magic."
"Maybe, but there's a lot to be said for specialization," Ivy retorted. "And you're sure you're all well enough to resume your journey?" She asked skeptically. "You could hold off until the recent unpleasantness is sorted out…"
Both girls shook their heads. "Absolutely not. We're going to continue with our Journey, mom, regardless of what happens," Rin pointed out firmly, Sakura nodding her agreement even as her sister spoke. "We've come too far to stop now, and, honestly, it was kinda fun, in a terrifying way."
"We understand," Aurea sighed, setting N down. "Still, we all worry."
Sakura hummed slightly. "It's nice to have people worried about me. Excluding Sempai," she said softly.
Ivy arched one eyebrow. "Oh? Do you have a Lillipup Crush on that boy– Shirou, was it?"
"No," Sakura quickly demurred, shaking her head. "He just made a good first and second and third impression, that's all."
Ivy chuckled. "Well, you should give him a chance to make a fourth! Send him a letter, or a call." She tapped her lower lip. "And us, for that matter. You need to stay in touch with your family."
N froze slightly. "...letters to family… I should write my sisters when we stop tonight." He frowned, swapping to Pokespeak. "Ah, Noble Agate? Do you think you could lock onto a psychic signature to deliver a letter?"
"... Probably not." Agate replied after a few moments thought, "Though, if you give me a general location, I can probably deliver it to that."
"Maybe I could have you reach out to my sisters' companions? Anthea has a Gothorita, and Concordia has a Kirlia," N mused, then shook his head. "Not an urgent issue, we can work it out as we travel."
The kids and adults stepped out of the Pokemon center as they spoke, with Rin sighing at the road ahead. "...a full day and a half lost, and we're back where we started."
"Aye, but it's the journey, not the destination!" Gordon chuckled, poking his head out from under her hat. He then tilted his head up. "Hah, not often to see one of your kind out in the day."
"Oi, you're not leaving me behind!" Noibat fluttered down, alighting on N's shoulder. "I can stand the sun if it means not having to track you all down later."
N looked at his shoulder. "You do know I am no trainer, correct?"
"Yes, but you're in need of a minder, and I can train myself against the girls easily enough." She pointed outward with one wing. "And I'd like a chance to take a proper bite out of those Reaper assholes. Preferably post-evolving. It'll hurt more."
"Biting your problems is always good, but have you considered screaming at them?" Rin offered, somehow being genuinely serious. "Noibat and Noivern both can learn Boomburst, after all~"
"If I knew that, don't you think I would've used it?" Noibat complained. "Unless you're willing to teach me? I'd like that."
"Oooh. I can't but I know who can~" Rin grinned, rubbing her hands together evilly. It was about time she checked in with the Emiya and Einzbern heirs, after all~
Team Plasma's Castle was a wonder of engineering, built by hundreds of loyal workers and teams of rock, ground, steel, and fighting types, working in tandem to create a monument to the organization and its young king. It was also perpetually under construction, renovation, and development, as the requirements of the Lord Regent and his dreams of a grandiose introduction to Unova changed constantly. With that in mind, it was no wonder that a single Pelipper carrying a special delivery slipped through the constant stream of workers, bypassing the overworked guards and avoiding the attentions of the leaders of Plasma.
Rising through the air, the flying type flew in one of the upper windows, his keen eyes having spotted the appropriate targets for his delivery. With a cheerful quark, the large bird swooped into the sitting room, where two young girls were idly reviewing their schoolwork. Three pokemon, a Lillipup, Gothorita, and Kirlia looked up from their space on the floor as the larger Pokemon buffeted the air with his wings.
Anthea looked up as the Pelipper landed on the table, blinking twice. "Umm. Hello?" She asked. Pelipper look pretty dopey at a distance, but up close the bird had a beak large enough that she could curl up inside.
The bird's beak quirked into an odd grin before he flexed one wing to reach inside. Now that his arms were visible, the young girl could see the bands fitted around each wing; UNOVA POSTAL SERVICE written in white on a blue background. The bird withdrew an envelope, blue-on-cream paper naked with 'Special Delivery; direct air mail' written above the names 'Anthea and Concordia Gropius.' The big bird held out the letter in one flexible wing.
Anthea blinked twice, a little shell shocked by the abrupt arrival of the messenger bird. Her delay allowed Concordia to reach out and take the letter before her sister could snag it.
"...who would know to write a letter to us?" Concordia asked, opening the envelope with a puzzled expression. As she began to read, her eyes lit up. "It's N!"
"What?" Anthea scooted around, looking at the letter with shock. "Didn't father leave him with one of the other branches for a time?"
Concordia frowned. "That's not what this says… although maybe he was kidnapped? He says-"
N sat back against the log, Noibat perched on his hat as he started writing. "First of all, don't worry. I know father would have told you about the villains I encountered, but I managed to escape them with help from some friends." The boy looked up, gaze passing over the party of Pokemon and humans tending the fire, Sakura laying a pan over the coals while Rin washed some leeks. "And, for the first time in my life, I can count humans among them. The Reapers who had waylayed me had also captured two young girls, a little younger than yourselves. Concordia, Anthea– I think you'd like them. But they confuse me greatly. Both of them can talk to Pokemon, however neither of them see anything wrong with keeping Pokemon as slaves. Though the way they treat their teams makes me doubt the term, at least in this case."
N paused, nibbling the end of his pen. He resumed writing after a few moments. "There have been members of Team Plasma who have treated their Pokemon well, but they were always few in number. And the Pokemon partnered with the criminals who captured us were misled and trained into evil. But neither Rin nor Sakura treat their Pokemon as anything less than firm partners, or family." Ren and Agate trotted by, each of them carrying more wood for the fire, passing off the branches and logs to Libra. "Since gaining our freedom, I have been traveling with them for a time. Their simple resolve and arguments are not conclusive, but traveling with them has been interesting and insightful regardless. I have met other trainers and other Pokemon. So many varieties! They travel with a Hisuian Zorua, who once was human herself! And the earnest bonds shared by many we meet… it gives me hope."
N sighed, setting his pen aside to take a drink of water, a few drops spilling on the page. He winced, blotting the marks. "It's not all good, of course. There are many more criminals who misuse Pokemon, leading them astray, and Rin has spoken about abusive trainers before. But she also speaks of a group called the Rangers– an organization which eschews Pokeballs entirely. How have I not heard of these people before? Apparently they live in other regions or tend to the wild areas, but I have not yet met them. Are they real? Are these stylers merely another form of captivity? Or are they possible allies for Team Plasma?"
"The more I hear and see, the more I need to understand. In truth, even if Father were to come to me now, I would have to turn him away. I need to see more, to learn more. It is only through finding the Truth of how the world is that I can become worthy of summoning the Dragon we seek. And perhaps, enforce less of a severance between Pokemon and people, and a rule of law inviolate. Something to think about." N blew on the pages, drying the ink as Sakura finished her meal. "I will write to you further later. For now, I will try to be safe on my journey, and do not worry too much for me. I am in good company."
N(atural Harmonia Gropius)
Concordia set the letter down as her sister finished penning her reply. "How earnest do you think he's being? This does not seem forced."
"But it is different from how he normally is," Anthea responded. "I wish we could go to him, but there's not a way to leave."
Both girls sighed, even as Gothorita and Kirlia moved to comfort them. As they did, a quiet squeak sounded as their door opened. Looking up, the girls saw Lillipup nose his way into the room, darting over with a book of stamps clenched in his jaws. Concordia chuckled as she took the stamps from his mouth. "Thank you, but I did not need so many."
The Lillipup yipped, then sprung up onto the table before the patiently waiting Pelipper, standing in front of his beak. With a shimmer, the little canine's form collapsed into shadow, red and black fur peeking through for a brief instant before it reformed into a small, brown box. Crudely marked on the outside was a green 'N', with a small space labeled 'stamps' on the lid.
"...I don't think that–" Concordia began, before a loud squawk cut her off. Pelipper reached over, plucking the stamp booklet from her and pulling off four of the little squares. Applying them to the outside of the 'box', he winged the booklet back to her and scooped the 'package' into his beak. Settling back, he eyed the letter and opened his beak expectedly.
After a stunned second, Anthea chuckled. "I don't think that's proper postage… but thank you," she said to both the Pelipper and his passenger. Peering into the open beak, she reached out and stroked the outside of the false box. "Take good care of him, please." The little box wiggled in the vaguest suggestion of a nod.
Concordia put her sister's letter in on top of the 'package' before waving. "Thank you for the letter, Mr. Postbird! Have a safe flight!" As the large pelican began to flap his wings for takeoff, the young woman couldn't help but feel her spirits rise with his journey. Her little brother was having an adventure; and that was something worth being happy about.
If you want to see more of my writing or that of my partner in literature, go ahead and take a look at our Patreons. Mine is here, and Miho's is here. We've got several chapters of Pokémon fanfiction waiting for discerning viewers!
Scowling, Rin glared at the walls of the corridor they were carefully moving down, as if expecting something to leap out and attack them at any moment.
"Nee-san, I don't think that glaring at the walls is going to give you the reason why there's seemingly no defenses on this floor," Sakura sighed, giving her sister a consoling pat on the back, "Libra and Other are scouting, they should be back soon."
N frowned as he spotted his friend emerge from the wall, both the little fox and the lantern following. He reached up, cradling Drifloon as he came to rest on his hands. <<Are you alright?>>
"Mostly. They know we're coming," The flying type explained.
"We barely managed to avoid detection. All of the remaining bandits have retreated to the top floor, and are preparing a gauntlet," Libra elaborated, her glass scuffed. "...I will be honest, we have a serious fight ahead of us."
"Unless we cheat, or go lethal and don't stop… we may not make it out," Other said dully. "And if we do go lethal…"
"They'll take the kiddie gloves off as well," Rin stated grimly, narrowing her eyes and placing a hand on her chin, looking at Agate. "How long, Agate."
"... They should have been here already, honestly. There's no reason that it should be taking someone from the League this long to reach us. Something's either delayed them, or I was somehow deceived." The Espeon stated tiredly, eyes sorrowful as she continued to breath heavily. She was still tired, and she'd been pushing herself to make sure everyone was able to fight.
"Likely the former," Sakura murmured. "...I think… they're coming. But they're not here yet," she murmured, her eyes flashing purple for a moment. "I'm not sure."
"We have got to find you a proper psychic tutor," Rin grumbled. "Nothing against your therapist, but she's an instinctive psychic, you need a human teacher."
N coughed. "Everyone is the best they will be. Except they're tired." He frowned. "I will have Leppa berries for next time."
"Let's hope there's not a next time," Ren muttered, trotting over from the gathered wild and rescued Pokemon, Noibat perched on his back. "We gathered some more allies from the tunnels, but not many. Most of them, if they'd hidden this long from the Reapers, weren't willing to try helping us push them out."
"I can't blame them." Ana grumbled, finally breaking her silence, "These guys… they aren't a joke, and it shows."
"No, they're not." Ren said. "This was a regional hub for them; the biggest safehouse they had on the peninsula." He eyed Rin. "They cleared out their stockpiles as they fell back to the first floor, but the watcher says they saw lots of shinies being carried up."
"How the heck did we end up in their Regional Stronghold again?" Rin asked rhetorically, sighing in both exasperation and exhaustion. This had been a hard fight, and she'd been burning mana the whole time in addition to directing her team while listening to Sakura's overall direction.
Shit wasn't easy.
"...it doesn't matter. We need to push, before they decide to just sweep down on us," Sakura muttered. "If we're caught, this turns into a hostage scenario. We need to keep moving." She looked at Noibat. "Is everyone ready to move?"
"As much as we can be," she replied grimly. "The grass and ground types have some new abilities now that we're above solid rock, but other than that, this will be a slog."
"... A Last Stand, then." Libra sighed, shaking her whole body in lue of a nonexistent head, "All we must do is hold out for as long as we can… Theirs not to make reply, theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do or die…"
Rin blinked, "That poem exists here too?"
"Hmmm? Ah, yes, Charge of the Light Brigade. A Galarian noble wrote it an odd century or two ago," Libra blinked, ghostly flame shutting off momentarily before it flared back into being. "Wait… What do you mean here too?"
Whatever Rin was going to say next was cut off by the bug on her hat chuckling. "Ah, we are not going to go down and die, lasses." He sprang off the hat, darting through the gathered Pokemon, sparking as he charged ahead. "We are going to triumph! CHARGE!"
Sakura blinked, then shrugged, dashing after him. "Gordon, wait up!"
The entire group charged ahead, N blinking a few times before he joined in the rush, snatching up an abandoned tool in the rush.
Daniel looked up, hearing yelling down the passage. "Well, the outer guards are…" A small explosion echoed in the middle distance. "Serving their purpose." He looked around the antechamber, the entrance to the chamber, fifteen men and women each with their Pokemon arrayed around them. This last entryway was not the only room these kids hadn't trampled through yet; but none of the others mattered. "Alright everyone, these kids have more gumption and power than most. Don't treat them or their allies lightly." He looked back as the makeshift doors separating the mine's former staging chamber from the maze of passages blew open.
The first figures to stalk through were a pair of young women, one dressed like a witch, the other in more traditional trainer gear, both heavily scuffed. At their heels trotted a pair of Eeveelutions, the Espeon at one side panting heavily, while the Umbreon remained stalwart despite the bandages on his barrel. A Snivy, a Hisuian Zorua, and a Lampent finished off the front ranks of the motley crew. Behind them, a swarm of Pokemon, many bandaged or similarly obviously wounded, filled the entryway, spreading out. Behind them, a young man with green hair stood between the battle group and a menagerie of pets and baby pokemon, a dented shovel held like a stave.
"...you know, in five years, you two might have beaten my men like kettle drums." Daniel acknowledged, stepping forward. The girls fixed their gaze on him, and he knew immediately that they'd seen the two Pokemon flanking him; Slyveon at his left, and Basculegion at his left. "Honestly? I can't blame you for trying. But I can see your teams are tired, and you're not doing so hot yourselves. Give it up, and I won't break a finger for every one of my boys you laid out down below." He promised, letting a wicked smile cross his face..
"We'll have to decline, Daniel." The brunette replied, sass oozing from her voice despite her exhaustion, "We know what the Reapers do to the people they capture, and we'd rather not, thank you."
Daniel blinked, before, ever so fleetingly, a look of genuine respect flickered across his face, so ephemeral that the two girls were likely to consider it a trick of light, an illusion. "You two are, by far, the most professional trainers that we've clashed with." He shook his head sadly, "You would have made fantastic members of the Reapers. Such a shame."
"We'd make terrible Reapers. Money is such a… stupid thing to shed blood for. The only thing more stupid is pride." The purple haired girl said quietly. "This is a land of plenty. And you pervert it for a quick profit."
Daniel sighed. "Perhaps you are just naive. There is always going to be crime, and organizations to conduct it."
"But not those who trade in flesh and chattel slavery." The violette hissed.
Daniel frowned. "There's a lot of trainers willing to pay for a particular Pokemon. We just bring down the price." He shook his head, gesturing forward. "I don't think we're going to come to an agreement. On your fingers be it." Without another word, every one of his allies leapt forward, and the girls and their battered army met them with a barrage. Daniel grinned. "Ah, a little excitement… honestly, this should be fun."
"This was more fun when I was hanging out in your head," Other groused, ducking a blast of fairy energy from a Whimsicott, responding with an Icy Wind. "On your left, sis!"
A shadowy tendril grabbed the offending Braviary and cratered them into a nearby wall, Sakura drawing deep into the abilities that Other had given her access to when she'd been reborn. "I see it! Rin-"
The sound of her sister's attacker being launched into the ceiling met her ears, Agate taking care of the Gurdurr before they could harm her trainer. "You stay the fuck away from her," the Espeon snarled, even as she shone with inner light, Dazzling Gleam being launched against one of the many groups fighting it out in the hallway.
Noibat fluttered through the crowds, supersonics disrupting several brawlers. She winced as she saw an allied Boldore flattened by a Simisage, turning her Air Cutter on the grass monkey. Even as the simian pokemon fell back with a screech, the massive head of an Onix interposed itself in the way of her attacks, blocking her from finishing the job. She fell back to avoid a rock throw, circling back to N, who'd just floored a man with his shovel. "We're getting surrounded! Can we fall back to the corridor, force them to come to us?"
"A couple of them got around behind us." Other panted, emerging from the floor and shooting an icy wind into the heaving brawl. "The non-combatants were fresh enough to charge the lines and break through; they're free. But it let them circle up the rest of us."
"I've got the Onix!" Ana cried, darting up to the giant rock snake and slamming her tail down on its body, the Leaf Blade eliciting a roar of pain and annoyance from the giant Pokemon. She glared at the larger Pokemon, the massive rock snake bearing its entire weight down on the much smaller serpent. "...yeah… this is… heavy…" Her eyes narrowed. "Not… going to stop me!" She screamed, light shining through her skin as she pushed back, tail flaring as she grew larger. Her tail blade tore into the skin of the rock-type, sending it tumbling back. The Servine thrashed her tail. "Yeah! Come on, you bastards! I'm riding this high!"
Daniel raised both eyebrows. "...they're doing better than I thought." He motioned forward. "I don't think we want to give them any more chances. Puck, Ironside; go ahead and wipe them out."
With a nasty smirk, Puck yowled in delight, diving into the barely holding lines that Rin and Sakura's teams were maintaining, nailing Ren with a surprise Play Rough that sent the Umbreon reeling. "Aww, what's the matter, squirt? Can't handle the big leagues?"
Agate spun to fire at the malicious Eeveelution, only to be bowled over by Ironside dropping out of phase with reality. "Stay down, child." He rumbled. "You cannot fight the tide."
Ana snarled, spitting a Leaf Storm to knock the water type aside, her power surging as she battled through her pain and exhaustion. "Get off her!" She snarled, even as Libra descended to blast the Sylveon with Smog. But as the group turned inward to deal with the two monsters in their midst, the storm of attacking Pokemon outside began to cut down their allies.
Sakura lashed out with a shadowy punch, knocking an enemy back, but she was forced to give ground, inch by inch as more Pokemon and their trainers filled the gap. N swung his shovel in an arc, warding off the attacking enemies, while Rin scabbled for her last usable gem.
Everything looked hopeless…
Until it wasn't.
"Houndoom, Fire Blast," a new voice called, his tone hard, the room dimming slightly, Sakura and Rin blinking as a weight lifted from their shoulders.
Other felt the heat only a short bit before she saw the colossal blast of flames shaped in the kanji for "big" speeding towards them at a speed most people would call "hax". Yelping, the fox broke free from the Swoobat she had been brawling with and dived into the wall; a move that proved unnecessary as Puck dove to intercept the blast as it headed straight for his trainer.
Daniel stumbled back, watching as his starter tumbled to the ground, scorched and unconscious. "Puck! Who the hell did that?" He yanked out two Pokeballs, returning Puck as he palmed another ball. "Krook-"
A gloved hand wrapped around the Pokeball, a thin man stepping from the shadows. "Ah, I think… you're out of luck." The entire room froze as a weight passed through the room. "Man oh man… Daniel, it's been a long time."
"...Grimsley?" Daniel swallowed. "We're fucked, aren't we?"
"Oh most certainly." Grimsley declared, his hand tightening painfully around Daniel's wrist, "I didn't expect the Reapers to have moles so highly placed in the League though," he stated casually, noting the complete confusion on Daniel's face, "Ah, I see, it wasn't the Reapers. Then I suppose you had a guest. You will give me his name, now, and I'll see if I can convince the courts to lighten the sentence a little."
Daniel winced. "...pretty sure he was using a fake name. But hey, we have his kid! Though I don't know his name, either. I mean, who calls themselves R and N, right?"
From his place amidst the wounded Pokemon, N blinked. The surrounding gang members were busy surrendering to the myriad Dark-types who'd broken loose of the shadows. "Ah… is my name really that strange?"
"YES!" Sakura, Rin, and Other spoke as one, glaring at their new
Daniel blinked. "...okay, so he's actually named N. Is your dad actually named R?"
"...no. Though…" N frowned, trotting through the Pokemon to stand before the Elite four and the Reaper underboss. "Why was he meeting with you?"
"Kid, everyone wants Pokemon. Strong ones, from the wilds? Without badges to get past the rangers? We earn a lot of money selling those." He chuckled, only for Grimsley to sigh and smack his former friend.
"Well young man… I've never had to interrogate a child, and I'm not starting now," Grimsley said. "For now, if you ever want to talk about your father… you should be able to reach out to me." He looked up. "Alright, Reaper scum!" he called out, even as a group of Policemen and Jennies entered the room at a run, a squad of Joy medics at their backs. "Don't make any trouble, and we'll not have any unnecessary injuries today!"
Rin groaned, landing on her butt as she finally relaxed, feeling her circuits burn beneath her skin. "Thank the gods…" she muttered, dragging Agate into her lap. "...that was brutal."
Sakura limped over to her team, Ana supporting Ren's unconscious body. "Other, are you alright?" She asked as she sat herself down.
"My fucking everything hurts," the Hisuian Zorua griped, slipping into Sakura's arms and shivering violently. "And I got a taste of what the nastier parts of this world look like. I'm not all that great, to be honest."
"That was… less than jolly," Gordon mumbled, sparks firing off his fuzz. "Lassies, I'm happy to travel with ye, but please tell me we are not going to be having battles of this magnitude regularly."
"I hope not…" Rin muttered. She looked up as Grimsley walked over, trailed by an Absol and a Houndoom.
"Man o man… I never thought Juni would ever have to ask me to bail out her kids." The Elite Four member shook his head as he walked over to the girls. "We all knew she was a honeylove… well, not that it matters." He folded his arms. "Glad your bets paid off, kids. This could've gone very badly."
Sakura smiled wanly. "We are very much aware, Elite Grimsley. Thank you, for coming to rescue us. Given your questioning of their leader, I assume you were intentionally delayed?"
"Either way, we've got a few more Reapers tied up or otherwise incapacitated deeper in the mines," Rin added, sagging in exhaustion now that everything was over. "You'll want to bring them to me so I can release the hypnosis I put them under."
"...scary girl. You didn't teach either of your moms how to do that, did you?" He asked Rin.
"I mean, they did ask. Aurea more to try and use it for research, though Ivy wanted the hypnosis techniques for her dream research." Rin said.
Grimsely groaned. "Poker night… ruined." He turned to look at Sakura. "And to answer your question… ongoing investigation, can't talk about it." He shrugged. "Though I can say we are going to need to do a deep check of our transportation branch."
"Sakura, Rin, if you could ask Elite Grimsley what took the local police forces so long to arrive, that would be appreciated as well, let alone the local Area Rangers," Ren asked softly, still quite literally licking his wounds from earlier.
"I can understand you, darkling." Grimsely chuckled. "And that's also part of the investigation, though on that front, I can say that there's at least one man whose finances are a little too flush, if you know what I mean." His eyes went half lidded, and Absol grinned wickedly. "Don't go spreading that around. We need him as bait."
"We shall not," Agate promised darkly, eyes flashing with hidden darkness. "No one touches my skulk and gets away with it."
"Well said, sister," Libra added, malice dripping from her words.
"Hear hear!" Ana added in, pumping her tiny fist in the air.
"Imma rip the bastard to shreds, after he stops being bait," Other growled, the Zorua leaping onto Sakura's shoulders and butting her head against her sister's neck. "Now gimme pets, big sis. I'm tired."
Grimsely blinked as he saw the ghost type lifted into his sister's arms. "...you know, I don't speak ghost. So I shouldn't have understood her. But I'm not going to ask." He looked over at N, who'd had his hands wrapped in bandages, then back at the girls. "Will you all need stretchers? I can offer you a teleport or a ride, as the case may be."
"We would greatly appreciate that, Elite Grimsley," Rin stated professionally as she could from her position flopped on the floor, looking completely wiped. None of the others were doing much better, after all.
Grimsely nodded, waving up a group of medics and Jennies. "Alright, stretchers and carriers for three young warriors." He watched as his men hauled out the Reapers. "Least we can do for their help cleaning out this rot."
"...Grimsely managed to root most of our suborned and bribed members in the Nacrene Peninsula. Thankfully, most of them believe our middlemen to be agents of the Reapers or Uptown Men, so we remain mostly out of sight," Devon spoke, his facemask hiding the set of his mouth.
Ghetsis frowned as he looked at the Shadow, his brow furrowed. "A setback, though not a major one. There will always be greedy men, and the chaos of the loss of so many officials will allow our home-grown supporters to rise into the ranks." He turned to face Rood. "Make it so. We will need supporters in the right place to allow our words to spread upon N's coronation."
"At once, Regent Ghetsis," Rood bowed, before turning and walking from the room. Ghetsis waited until his fellow 'sage' departed before turning back to his head Shadow.
"And what of N? I assume he has been taken into custody?" Ghetsis ventured, striding past his agent. "We will need to time freeing him carefully. Enough time for him to be frightened, for the League to relax their attention, but not so much that he might cave."
"... No, the League did not take N into custody," Devon began speaking, for the first time since years ago sounding nervous. "He has taken to accompanying the pair of trainers that ruined our operations with the Reapers and disrupted our moles."
"...say that again?" Ghetsis asked, incredulous.
N blinked twice as he was pulled into the firm grip of a taller woman. Aurea Juniper smiled as she held the boy, mom-enhanced strength bearing him off his feet. "Thank you so much for helping my girls. They're good for their age, but…"
N wiggled slightly, a tad nonplussed by the affection. "They did good. Didn't need me for much."
"Yes, but they don't take care of themselves like they should. It's good you're going with them; they could use a medic." Ivy added from nearby, watching the tableau with amusement.
"Hey! We know first aid!" Rin complained moments later, scowling at her adoptive mother.
Sakura nodded. "And some healing magic."
"Maybe, but there's a lot to be said for specialization," Ivy retorted. "And you're sure you're all well enough to resume your journey?" She asked skeptically. "You could hold off until the recent unpleasantness is sorted out…"
Both girls shook their heads. "Absolutely not. We're going to continue with our Journey, mom, regardless of what happens," Rin pointed out firmly, Sakura nodding her agreement even as her sister spoke. "We've come too far to stop now, and, honestly, it was kinda fun, in a terrifying way."
"We understand," Aurea sighed, setting N down. "Still, we all worry."
Sakura hummed slightly. "It's nice to have people worried about me. Excluding Sempai," she said softly.
Ivy arched one eyebrow. "Oh? Do you have a Lillipup Crush on that boy– Shirou, was it?"
"No," Sakura quickly demurred, shaking her head. "He just made a good first and second and third impression, that's all."
Ivy chuckled. "Well, you should give him a chance to make a fourth! Send him a letter, or a call." She tapped her lower lip. "And us, for that matter. You need to stay in touch with your family."
N froze slightly. "...letters to family… I should write my sisters when we stop tonight." He frowned, swapping to Pokespeak. "Ah, Noble Agate? Do you think you could lock onto a psychic signature to deliver a letter?"
"... Probably not." Agate replied after a few moments thought, "Though, if you give me a general location, I can probably deliver it to that."
"Maybe I could have you reach out to my sisters' companions? Anthea has a Gothorita, and Concordia has a Kirlia," N mused, then shook his head. "Not an urgent issue, we can work it out as we travel."
The kids and adults stepped out of the Pokemon center as they spoke, with Rin sighing at the road ahead. "...a full day and a half lost, and we're back where we started."
"Aye, but it's the journey, not the destination!" Gordon chuckled, poking his head out from under her hat. He then tilted his head up. "Hah, not often to see one of your kind out in the day."
"Oi, you're not leaving me behind!" Noibat fluttered down, alighting on N's shoulder. "I can stand the sun if it means not having to track you all down later."
N looked at his shoulder. "You do know I am no trainer, correct?"
"Yes, but you're in need of a minder, and I can train myself against the girls easily enough." She pointed outward with one wing. "And I'd like a chance to take a proper bite out of those Reaper assholes. Preferably post-evolving. It'll hurt more."
"Biting your problems is always good, but have you considered screaming at them?" Rin offered, somehow being genuinely serious. "Noibat and Noivern both can learn Boomburst, after all~"
"If I knew that, don't you think I would've used it?" Noibat complained. "Unless you're willing to teach me? I'd like that."
"Oooh. I can't but I know who can~" Rin grinned, rubbing her hands together evilly. It was about time she checked in with the Emiya and Einzbern heirs, after all~
Team Plasma's Castle was a wonder of engineering, built by hundreds of loyal workers and teams of rock, ground, steel, and fighting types, working in tandem to create a monument to the organization and its young king. It was also perpetually under construction, renovation, and development, as the requirements of the Lord Regent and his dreams of a grandiose introduction to Unova changed constantly. With that in mind, it was no wonder that a single Pelipper carrying a special delivery slipped through the constant stream of workers, bypassing the overworked guards and avoiding the attentions of the leaders of Plasma.
Rising through the air, the flying type flew in one of the upper windows, his keen eyes having spotted the appropriate targets for his delivery. With a cheerful quark, the large bird swooped into the sitting room, where two young girls were idly reviewing their schoolwork. Three pokemon, a Lillipup, Gothorita, and Kirlia looked up from their space on the floor as the larger Pokemon buffeted the air with his wings.
Anthea looked up as the Pelipper landed on the table, blinking twice. "Umm. Hello?" She asked. Pelipper look pretty dopey at a distance, but up close the bird had a beak large enough that she could curl up inside.
The bird's beak quirked into an odd grin before he flexed one wing to reach inside. Now that his arms were visible, the young girl could see the bands fitted around each wing; UNOVA POSTAL SERVICE written in white on a blue background. The bird withdrew an envelope, blue-on-cream paper naked with 'Special Delivery; direct air mail' written above the names 'Anthea and Concordia Gropius.' The big bird held out the letter in one flexible wing.
Anthea blinked twice, a little shell shocked by the abrupt arrival of the messenger bird. Her delay allowed Concordia to reach out and take the letter before her sister could snag it.
"...who would know to write a letter to us?" Concordia asked, opening the envelope with a puzzled expression. As she began to read, her eyes lit up. "It's N!"
"What?" Anthea scooted around, looking at the letter with shock. "Didn't father leave him with one of the other branches for a time?"
Concordia frowned. "That's not what this says… although maybe he was kidnapped? He says-"
N sat back against the log, Noibat perched on his hat as he started writing. "First of all, don't worry. I know father would have told you about the villains I encountered, but I managed to escape them with help from some friends." The boy looked up, gaze passing over the party of Pokemon and humans tending the fire, Sakura laying a pan over the coals while Rin washed some leeks. "And, for the first time in my life, I can count humans among them. The Reapers who had waylayed me had also captured two young girls, a little younger than yourselves. Concordia, Anthea– I think you'd like them. But they confuse me greatly. Both of them can talk to Pokemon, however neither of them see anything wrong with keeping Pokemon as slaves. Though the way they treat their teams makes me doubt the term, at least in this case."
N paused, nibbling the end of his pen. He resumed writing after a few moments. "There have been members of Team Plasma who have treated their Pokemon well, but they were always few in number. And the Pokemon partnered with the criminals who captured us were misled and trained into evil. But neither Rin nor Sakura treat their Pokemon as anything less than firm partners, or family." Ren and Agate trotted by, each of them carrying more wood for the fire, passing off the branches and logs to Libra. "Since gaining our freedom, I have been traveling with them for a time. Their simple resolve and arguments are not conclusive, but traveling with them has been interesting and insightful regardless. I have met other trainers and other Pokemon. So many varieties! They travel with a Hisuian Zorua, who once was human herself! And the earnest bonds shared by many we meet… it gives me hope."
N sighed, setting his pen aside to take a drink of water, a few drops spilling on the page. He winced, blotting the marks. "It's not all good, of course. There are many more criminals who misuse Pokemon, leading them astray, and Rin has spoken about abusive trainers before. But she also speaks of a group called the Rangers– an organization which eschews Pokeballs entirely. How have I not heard of these people before? Apparently they live in other regions or tend to the wild areas, but I have not yet met them. Are they real? Are these stylers merely another form of captivity? Or are they possible allies for Team Plasma?"
"The more I hear and see, the more I need to understand. In truth, even if Father were to come to me now, I would have to turn him away. I need to see more, to learn more. It is only through finding the Truth of how the world is that I can become worthy of summoning the Dragon we seek. And perhaps, enforce less of a severance between Pokemon and people, and a rule of law inviolate. Something to think about." N blew on the pages, drying the ink as Sakura finished her meal. "I will write to you further later. For now, I will try to be safe on my journey, and do not worry too much for me. I am in good company."
N(atural Harmonia Gropius)
Concordia set the letter down as her sister finished penning her reply. "How earnest do you think he's being? This does not seem forced."
"But it is different from how he normally is," Anthea responded. "I wish we could go to him, but there's not a way to leave."
Both girls sighed, even as Gothorita and Kirlia moved to comfort them. As they did, a quiet squeak sounded as their door opened. Looking up, the girls saw Lillipup nose his way into the room, darting over with a book of stamps clenched in his jaws. Concordia chuckled as she took the stamps from his mouth. "Thank you, but I did not need so many."
The Lillipup yipped, then sprung up onto the table before the patiently waiting Pelipper, standing in front of his beak. With a shimmer, the little canine's form collapsed into shadow, red and black fur peeking through for a brief instant before it reformed into a small, brown box. Crudely marked on the outside was a green 'N', with a small space labeled 'stamps' on the lid.
"...I don't think that–" Concordia began, before a loud squawk cut her off. Pelipper reached over, plucking the stamp booklet from her and pulling off four of the little squares. Applying them to the outside of the 'box', he winged the booklet back to her and scooped the 'package' into his beak. Settling back, he eyed the letter and opened his beak expectedly.
After a stunned second, Anthea chuckled. "I don't think that's proper postage… but thank you," she said to both the Pelipper and his passenger. Peering into the open beak, she reached out and stroked the outside of the false box. "Take good care of him, please." The little box wiggled in the vaguest suggestion of a nod.
Concordia put her sister's letter in on top of the 'package' before waving. "Thank you for the letter, Mr. Postbird! Have a safe flight!" As the large pelican began to flap his wings for takeoff, the young woman couldn't help but feel her spirits rise with his journey. Her little brother was having an adventure; and that was something worth being happy about.
If you want to see more of my writing or that of my partner in literature, go ahead and take a look at our Patreons. Mine is here, and Miho's is here. We've got several chapters of Pokémon fanfiction waiting for discerning viewers!
Last edited:
- Location
- Omniverse #1345
Zorua is not leaving N to have an adventure alone! Not a chance! lol
N is going to end up being a trainer in all but name shortly, especially once someone explains that pokeballs are very, very useful in emergencies and you don't have to use them otherwise. At all.
(It is very nice to be able to reduce any pokemon to an easily carriable ball so you can get them to emergency care, or reduce the load on a teleport, flight, etc)
N is going to end up being a trainer in all but name shortly, especially once someone explains that pokeballs are very, very useful in emergencies and you don't have to use them otherwise. At all.
(It is very nice to be able to reduce any pokemon to an easily carriable ball so you can get them to emergency care, or reduce the load on a teleport, flight, etc)
Last edited:
- Location
- USA
If N does start using pokeballs I feel like heal balls and/or luxury balls would fit his mindset well. They're not optimized for capturing, but they do give a direct benefit to the pokemon.
Heal balls would also be very good for temporary capture.
Heal balls would also be very good for temporary capture.
JmonsterNEO
Spouter of nonsense
- Location
- The quest forums
So that's what a Lampent having a brain fart looks like.
He wouldn't even need a Styler, heh.
Unless the Styler stacks with what he does.
Dragonmaster150
Firstborn of Dragonkind
- Location
- Dragendolan: Land of the Dragon Kings
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Nice Mystery Dungeon reference. Always a fan of Postbird Pellipper.
alternativly someone could teach him to make pokeballs...that way he could be SURE there is no Mind Control involved...i mean if all you need is a Apricorn and TumbleStones...
- Location
- Chimney Canopy, just offscreen
Been following this for three weeks, this thread's great and one of the few fanfics I bother to read. Love it!
- Location
- USA
Hate to admit it but all natural ingredients doesn't necessarily preclude mind control.
Miho Chan
One with too many ideas
- Location
- Hummelstown
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Thank you! Tension is one of those fiddly bits of fiction that's always tricky to convey properly, so I'm gladdened that it came across properly.
Heal Balls, Luxary Balls, and Ultra Balls, more than likely. If only to ensure that a stubborn and muleheaded Pokemon doesn't repeatedly break out despite being in desperate need of medical care.
He'd have to attend a Ranger Academy, but N would be suited to being a Pokemon Ranger, yes.
Indeed!
A Capture Styler works by "conveying feelings of friendship" to another Pokemon. It's essentially a tool that functions by conveying the Ranger's Good Intent and Desires to the Pokemon, and the Pokemon responding to them. It's why the "Bosses" in Pokemon Ranger tend to be ancient, legendary, controlled through outside factors, or straight up 3rd Stage Pokemon. Yes, it would "stack" with what N does.
Thank you! There's a reason the PMD references are coming up. They'll be relevant later...
Ancient Pokeballs are interesting yes.
Thank you so much! Always great to see someone who's been lurking comment!
It doesn't but the setting does explicitly state that Pokeballs don't really have an element of Mind Control. There are several examples to show this, but the most relevant one is actually spoilers for Indigo Disk so I won't be sharing them. Now, there are some forms of Pokeball that have an element of Mind Control. For example, the Pokeballs used by the Iron Marauder, the Dark Balls.
Yep! Zorua is kinda like N's Starter, in a nontraditional sense, at least.
grommile
nasty-minded old cynic
- Location
- NERV-Mercia
- Pronouns
- Traditional/Animate
Friend Balls feel kinda mind-controlly.
Charm person rather than domination, but still.
He already has the hair color for it!
I suspect he is going to feel both vindicated at there being such balls, and pleasantly suprised to learn that any of them are most likely outright illegal to manufacture, sell, own and use. Meaning that any one who has them, and knowingly uses them, is actually a fair target for him from the get go.
Miho Chan
One with too many ideas
- Location
- Hummelstown
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Not either, actually. Closer to a good diplomacy roll more than anything. Nothing supernatural, but rather more it'll make the Pokemon more inclined to give you a chance. Hypothesizing from pure game mechanics, it's likely that the Friend and Luxury Balls both have a stasis feature that's just... really good comparative to other Pokeballs. That or Pokeballs aren't actually creating a stasis field but rather creating a pocket dimension, but that gets into lore theorizing.
He does yes. Lotta unique hair colors in the rangers.
Pretty much. It'll probably be mixed with a bit of planting the seeds of suspicion towards Ghetsis as well, if I had to guess, since this is literally just common knowledge.
To be honest, Cipher is really really really easy to hate because the turn Sophant beings into, well, literal rabit animals filled with only hate and malice. Like, I personally hate Cipher more than Flare, and Flare is run by an omnicidal fascist and is literally just "Everything Wrong with the Super Wealthy" but in Pokemon and they've got a giant superweapon to fire at everyone to purge the world of undesirables.
Winged One
Not the Simurgh
- Location
- definitely the ground
- Pronouns
- They/Them/It
Team Flare is too PG to be everything wrong with the super-wealthy.
Zap Rowsdower
Ex-cultist vagrant
- Location
- Bright lights, big city
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Also not explicitly wealthy, all we're shown is snobby elitists. They could very well mostly be middle class or petit bourgeoisie folks with delusions of grandeur and racist tendencies dressed up pretty, for all we're given of them.Team Flare is too PG to be everything wrong with the super-wealthy.
Friend-/Luxuryball in a nutshell: Nice exterior, really comfy inside. Of course any pokemon caught with those will get a nice impression on the one catching them. Not every day one goes from a basic forest/cave/river to basically the perfect habitat for them.
Chapter 20: Kiritsugu 4- First Shots Fired
Tale Swapper
(Unverified Madman)
- Location
- Lost Among a Sea of Imaginings and Dreams
A Special thanks to 22, Azalios, Bohmej, Brian Lance, Chris Volcheck, Daniel Einspanjer, Daniel Hales, Edward Newkirk, Hart D, Jokarun, Kieth Kindall, laff monster, lawrence black, Leign, Manga09, Mars, NotaDragon, Philip Hunt-Bull, Priya Jain, PV2, Ronald Bueno, Russ Stilter, saganatsu, Shawn Whyte, Starfall20, Tanner Maru, Tristan May, Tynstert, and Whyte57Wyrms. Your continued Patronage is a huge impetus for me to keep writing!
Kiritsugu Emiya looked through the scope of his rifle, flicking the barrel to aim at each of the entrances to the small compound in turn. He watched, eyes narrowed as a group of figures with dyed red hair pushed a cart into one of the garages outside the supposedly abandoned factory. He frowned, keying his comm. "Elle, I am in position, and have eyes on a small group of Flare grunts."
[Copy that, Kiritsugu. My team and I are in position. I'm by the west entrance; the north was too heavily patrolled to slip into. Would you mind making sure I have a clear path in?] Elle responded professionally over the radio. Panning the scope of his rifle towards the West, Kiritsugu mentally nodded as he saw the woman waving.
"Of course, Elle." Pausing, he blanched as something unexpected occurred, "You have a grunt incoming. Given his posture, I don't think he noticed anything, he's just heading that way for no reason in particular."
[...if he's unaware, he won't be a problem.] Kiri watched through his scope as the Grunt rounded the corner, only to be caught with a faceful of green powder from the Jumpluff. As he collapsed into unconsciousness, the young woman grabbed him and dragged him out of sight. [That puts a bit of a time limit on things, though. How soon will a patrol notice he's missing?]
"You have at least two minutes. They just came on shift, and I believe he was taking a smoke break. Check his pockets for cigarettes or drugs, just in case," Kiritsugu stated calmly, panning his rifle towards the nearest grunt, who was yawning, looking completely and utterly bored with his job. He frowned slightly. "While we're talking, I have to ask. Is it… normal to force all the members of teams like this to dye their hair?"
Through his scope, Kiri watched as Elle frisked her victim, pulling out something. [One sidearm… Toxicity Jolt E-Cigarette. No, it's not, at least, not always, but for some reason, they do it anyway. It might have something to do with how easy it is to wash out hair dye nowadays, and it's probably considered a uniform.]
"It's very stupid. Made figuring out that this was their base very easy. Back home, organized crime wears… suits. Or just… workman's clothes."
[So is that why you wear a suit? Because you were part of one of those organized crime groups?] Elle asked as she rounded a corner, cutting behind a line of cars to approach a side door.
"No, I just think they look cool," Kiritsugu replied blandly, panning his rifle ahead of Elle, "Another grunt, he'll pass your position shortly. Shouldn't see you. Up to you how to deal with him, I'm covering."
[I'll let him pass.] Elle ducked behind one of the parked vehicles as the grunt passed. She rose up after the grunt passed, moving to and testing the side door. [Locked… hold on, Haboo, can you–]
Elle's starter calmly emerged from his mistress' shadow, then phased through the door. Seconds later, it swung open. Elle held the door open. [Haboo isn't detecting anyone immediately nearby. Are you coming?]
"In a second," Kiri muttered, then switched comm channels, opening up a long-range link. "Agent Looker, we've confirmed that this base is hosting Team Flare. Can we get local assets to contain the area?"
[Send me the images.] After Kiri sent the information, Looker responded quickly. [I will have Interpol forces cover the major roads out, but most of them do not have the operations licenses you do. Proceed with the mission, we'll catch as many as can flee as possible.]
Kiri confirmed, turning off his comm and looking at his partner. "Amelie, would you mind, dear?" Kiritsugu stated, a soft pop as he teleported over to Elle, his 'starter' locking onto the woman's psychic signature to bypass the barriers and psionic sensory array laid out around the base. He slipped through the door, letting it close behind him. "Alright, I dropped one of Looker's psychic beacons. Does Meowstic have a lock to get you free, or do we need to stick together?"
"He can teleport me out, if necessary," Elle acknowledged. "But I would rather stick together, anyway. Getting overwhelmed by enemies ganging up on you isn't fun in the slightest."
"Agreed. In that case, would you like to take point, or should I?" Kiritsugu replied, slinging his rifle over one shoulder then drawing a pistol from his coat and running through some rudimentary weapons checks.
"Haboo has the point, I'll follow him, and you can take the rear." Elle said as they reached a turn in the hall. "Do we know what they were supposed to be doing here?"
"I don't know," Kiritsugu muttered. "Honestly, half of what they were doing was nonsensical. You have cells dedicated to bribing officials and obtaining weapons, and others which were wholly focused on kidnapping artists or stealing recipe books."
"It's almost as if money isn't a concern for them…" Amelie added from her positon on Kiritsugu's shoulder, the psychic type's eyes screwed shut in concentration as she used her empathic sense to the best of her abilities. "We have a group of grunts, one room over. Haboo, if I direct you, can you take them out?"
The ghostly Eevee cooed, looking up at Amelie. Moments later, he darted through a wall. Through it, both the humans barely heard a short series of thuds and cries before they went silent. Haboo's head emerged from the wall, eyes narrowed. "Mour! Mour!"
Amelie stiffened. "...He says the room has several cages of knocked-out Pokemon."
"Any specific Pokemon, Haboo?" Elle asked, her mind running through the various possibilities and reasons that a group as well funded as Flare would resort to capturing Pokemon instead of simply buying them from Breeders or Poachers through proxies.
"Several Furfrou, a Galarian Ponyta, a Dratini, and a trio of Vulpix. They don't seem mistreated," Amelie relayed.
"That's an odd mix," Kiri mused. "I mean, a Dratini is very valuable, but the rest…"
Haboo barked, a series of odd chirps with an ominous note to them, Elle's eyes widening as her partner pointed out the obvious.
"They're all considered beautiful," Elle gasped, eyes narrowing, "Didn't you say that one Flare Grunt you interrogated a bit back was ranting about Beauty, Kiritsugu?"
"Most of them do. Some rant about perfection, or ugliness instead," Kiri replied. "I wonder why they use so many poison types, then? Most of them aren't… well, conventionally attractive."
"Loyalty has a beauty all of its own!" Kiri and Elle looked to one side, a Flare Grunt having just jumped out from around the corner. "Aha! Intruders! I shall-"
He was, "sadly", interrupted by Kiritsugu rapidly closing the distance between the two of them and clocking his pistol over the man's head, sending the man to the ground, unconscious. Amelie sighed. "Maybe I've just been around you too much, Kiri– but why didn't he attack while we were distracted?"
"They all like doing that. Cipher, Rocket, Pillar, Hood… they all talk a ton. I think it's a side effect of whatever onboarding or brainwashing their bosses do to them." Elle sighed, grabbing the man's legs while Kiri grabbed his arms. Amelie opened a nearby room, and the two trainers set the man inside.
Kiri looked up, blinking as he saw the seven yellowish fish floating in a small pool. "...okay, these aren't pretty. I guess that theory's shot–"
"BASS! BASS! BASS!" The fish raged in their pond, splashing about.
"...ah, those are Feebas. They evolve into Milotic, one of the most beautiful pokemon ever." Elle said delicately.
"Ah, like a caterpillar before they become a butterfly, then." Kiritsugu stated blandly, sighing as he walked over to the pond and kelt down, "I apologize for offending you, Feebas. What would it take for you to quiet down?"
"BAS! BAS!" Most of the fish continued flailing, but one settled down, a pensive look on its face. The last Feebas burbled for a moment, then blew a large bubble which encapsulated her fellows, keeping them quiet. "Bas, bas."
"That one says she is not certain whether or not Flare is going to actually help them evolve, and would like a different master." Amelie translated. "...she is not willing to join a scruffy man in a cheap suit, though."
Elle shook her head. "I don't think I have the time to raise a new team-member…"
"I have a daughter who is a rising star in the Gym Circuit," Kiritsugu stated suddenly as a metaphorical light bulb flickered on in his head, the man rummaging in his coat and pulling out a Rotom Phone, bringing up a photo of Illya's trainer card and the badge she had collected thus far, "This is my daughter, Illyasviel. Would you mind if I sent you to her?"
"Bas!" The Feebas wiggled happily. "Fee-fee-bas."
"She says that your daughter is beautiful, and wonders how you managed to have her. She also agrees," Amelie relayed.
Kiri rummaged through his pockets, pulling out a Pokeball. "...you know, I've looted several of these, but I've never bothered to buy any. Should I?" He asked Elle as he captured the Feebas.
"Probably. Pokeballs have several benefits for extracting Pokemon from situations, largely because they are capable of holding Pokemon in stasis while injured," Elle explained as she returned to her sweep of the room, shaking her head as she found nothing else of interest. "We should move to the next room."
"Agreed," Kiritsugu responded, heading back out into the corridor. The small team swept down the hallway, checking each room as they passed. Kiri frowned as he glanced into one room, noting the array of tools, weapons, and Pokeballs on racks. "...I suppose this is what a fully stocked armory looks like here. Why do they keep some Pokemon in cages, and some in balls?"
"All Pokeballs, at least modern ones, have registration signals, so that Pokemon Centers and other institutions can return them to their owners. But that also allows the government to keep an eye on people with strong or unusual teams."
"I see. I wonder what counts?" Kiritsugu mused to himself, making a clean sweep of the room, nodding towards Elle. "What do you recommend we do? You are the expert here."
"We need to find their boss, capture them, and take them to Looker," she said quietly. "From what I've seen, we do know enough about what Flare wants, who they are. And I don't think either of us are great at interrogations." She paused. "...actually, are you?"
"I am passible without magecraft, and competent enough with hypnosis magic to get the job done with it," Kiritsugu stated blandly, before point back towards the Pokeballs, "The question I was asking was not what to do with Team Flare, but rather, these Pokeballs. I am loathe to leave a potent supply of weapons behind, especially one accessible by our enemy."
"...Yeah, that's… fair. Trouble is, we can't just repossess them en masse. Some may be personal pokemon, some bulk catches, others sold-off professional teams." With a frown, Elle sent out Houndoom. "Melt the lock." As the lanky fire-type directed a blast of heat at the door, she elaborated. "We'll call Interpol to do a sweep later. This should slow down them reclaiming the Pokemon."
Kiritsugu nodded in approval, "Alright, onto the next area. We should be getting close to the last few rooms, now." As he moved to continue down the hallway, something shifting caught the corner of his eye. Turning, the assassin watched as one of the grates along the ceiling was pushed out, falling forward. Before it could fall far, a long pink muscle snapped into it. As they watched, a dark blue hand gripped the grate, pulling it in, before a lithe frog-like Pokemon emerged from the vent, dropping to the floor while cradling a red-brown creature. As they landed, a lavender fox-creature pulled itself free of the vent, the frog-being catching them as they practically fell to the floor, exhaustion clear on their face.
"Kiritsugu, they were masking their presence, psychically, but it just dropped briefly, and I didn't sense any hostility from the Frogadier, Braixen, nor Chespin, only fear." Amelie interjected rapidly, making her presence known as she rapidly snapped off a cheerful greeting in her native tongue. All three Pokemon froze, the Frogadier immediately moving to place itself between the two humans and their two companions.
Elle reacted immediately, Haboo coming out of her shadow and yipping a friendly greeting, "We aren't here to harm you; we aren't with Team Flare. We're with the International Police, working on dismantling this terrorist group."
As she spoke, Kiritsugu briefly stiffened, feeling a presence he was unfamiliar with brush against his mind before withdrawing moments later; the Braixen, who had struggled to their feet in a display likely meant to intimidate, collapsed back to their knees. She gave a quiet, feminine yip. "Braix…" The little red Pokemon immediately moved over to her, getting beneath her arm.
Amelie tilted her head. "They're escapees." The Frogadier croaked loudly, looking around. "He says he needs to get his companions to safety, and asks where the nearest exit is before the–" She was cut off as the lights in the corridor turned yellow, a loud buzzing echoing through the complex. "-alarms sound." All three of the escapees flinched at the sound, Frogadier slamming his fist into the wall with enough force to leave a dent.
Kiritsugu calmly pulled out a submachine gun, leveling it down the hallway as the thud of boots began to sound throughout the base, "Elle, would you mind covering our back? I have this hallway covered."
Elle responded by drawing the sidearm Kiri had insisted upon, tapping one of the balls at her waist. "Ampharos, be ready with thunder wave." The bulky sheep-dragon bleated, aiming her orbs down the hall. Frogadier hesitated before grabbing the fox in their party and dashing in between the humans, setting their partner down and taking up a position beside Kiri, beads of water collecting on the pads of his fingers.
"The escapees are this way, get your nets out–" One flare grunt called, rounding a corner while holding a bazooka-esque device. He stopped, speechless as he spotted Kiri, even as a small group of fellow grunts piled up behind him. "-shit. SWITCH-"
Unfortunately for the Flare Grunt, he was promptly shot in the kneecaps rather blandly by a certain Magus Killer, the man proceeding to sweep his SMG through the Flare grunts, doing his absolute best to disable rather than kill them all; while they did, likely, deserve death, that was not for him to decide, not while he was working with Law Enforcement, at least. The chatter of his gun echoed through the hallway as he downed his opponents. One man managed to jerk a ball off his belt before falling, causing a bulky pokemon to emerge, bullets bouncing off its hide. "FERROTHORN!" The creature roared.
"Amelie, Mystical Fire." Kiritsugu ordered calmly as he reloaded his weapon, rolling his neck as he leveled his gun back towards the Pokemon as Amelie launched her attack. The fire blast sent the grass-type tumbling back, screeching, only for a pair of Lycanroc to round the corner and intercept the follow-up.
Frogadier started flicking their fingers, each snap causing a pulse of blue liquid to blast across and hammer the incoming rock dogs. "Frog-a-frog."
"What is Sui-dan no Jutsu?" Amelie asked.
"It literally translates to Water Bullet Technique" Kiritsugu replied with a blink, spraying another series of bullets downrage towards the Pokemon, who, thankfully, dove for cover, "If you wish to be a Ninja, might I recommend that you properly ask one of the Kantoian Clans for instruction, instead of a random manga?"
Amelie listened as the Frogadier muttered. "He says he'll need to learn how to read first, as they only ever put on TV for him to watch." The Kirlia winced as one man's scream was cut off into a gurgle. "If you want any of them to live, you should probably switch to melee. At this point, your missed shots are hitting the wounded."
"We're also out of upright targets," Kiri observed, holstering his gun. The hallway before him was painted in a mix of groaning bodies, silent corpses, and red blood. Behind him, Elle sighed.
"Gah, this is… awful. Really wish they'd come quietly," Elle muttered.
"Unfortunately, they knew the risks when they joined a terrorist organization," Kiritsugu stated flatly, though a part of him did mourn that it was necessary to take such actions to preserve his and his team's safety. "Amelie, shall we try and stabilize the ones we can?"
"Of course." Amelie grumbled, hopping onto Kiritsugu's shoulder as he began walking towards the downed Flare Grunts, the man rummaging through his coat and pulling out a First Aid kit. Elle sent out her Jumpluff, who began using Sleep Powder to knock out those who attempted to get to their feet, as she dug out her own first aid kit. As she worked, Amelie continued speaking. "Stealth is out the window. Do we want to take our new allies outside, then go hunting–"
"That's… not… possible." A tired voice, feminine and husky, sounded in their minds. Braixen trotted ahead of her partner, aided by the Chespin supporting her. "When the escape alarm sounds, they lock down the building. Deadbolts and hidden bars." She managed more clearly.
"Hmm, well, if all else fails, we can simply reclaim your Pokeballs and teleport out. We have a beacon out in the forest that Flare shouldn't have the raw power to jam." Kiritsugu suggested, tilting his head to the side as he considered the cost-benefit reward of pushing through the rest of the base, "However, if you three feel up for it, we would much rather press onward; we were raiding this base for intelligence, and I would still like to find out more before we retire."
"We… do not have pokeballs," Braixen said quietly. "All three of us were stolen from breeders. Shinies… are in high demand."
Kiritsugu frowned. "Shinies? What do you mean?"
"Ah, right, faller." Elle nodded, "Similar to albinism, Pokemon very rarely are born in an alternate coloration that produces a unique effect when called out from a Pokeball; a series of sparkles. As a result, they're called 'Shinies' and are highly sought after due to their rarity. Only about one in every four thousand and forty eight Pokemon are 'shiny', after all."
"Oh." Kiri looked over the three Pokemon. "That's an oddly precise number. We can probably find a place for you all to hide…"
Chespin squeaked, running up and hugging the man's leg, much to his surprise. Braixen shook her head, even as Frogadier croaked and crossed his arms. "Frogadier will not… dishonor your efforts by leaving you alone. Chespin is… unwilling to leave behind the first one to fight for him." She huffed. "And I… believe my place is by their sides."
Kiritsugu's gaze softened, "In that case, stay behind myself and Amelie. Elle, would you mind taking point? I am going to set traps to cover our rear."
"Hold. Let me…" Braixen trotted forward, extending a hand to Amelie. The psychic took the faux-psychic's hand, and the was a tiny flash of light. "...she can guide you, should I collapse again."
Amelie perked up. "It's a bit rough, but I know where the central control of this facility is- and that's also where the boss' office is located. We weren't quite going the right way.""
"Lead Elle, Amelie, I will take the rear." Kiritsugu said firmly, nodding towards the veteran trainer, "Full assault, Elle. Try and blitz them if possible."
"Blitz? Got it." Elle unhooker a different ball. "Braviary, Haboo, Houndoom; you have point. Blast them back." The three Pokemon gave her nods before charging down the appropriate hallway, wings, legs, and teeth shining as they ran forward. With a grunt she scooped up Braixen over her shoulders. "Come on, let's go!"
The entire group thundered down the hall, legs pumping as the yellow alarm switched over to a brilliant red, a wail sounding throughout the complex. Frogadier eyed the alarm boxes as they passed, eyes darting about. "A-Dier."
"That's the intruder alarm. The grunts will have their combat teams out, and lethal weapons if available." Amelie translated. "Ugh, this is getting tiring. Do you think we could pay the Tohsaka girl for her translator tech?"
"We have the funds for it, and I doubt Miss Tohsaka will object. I see no reason not to try and arrange a favorable trade." Kiritsugu shrugged, eyes still fixed firmly ahead, clearly expecting trouble. His expectations were vindicated as a fight broke out down the corridor, the three point Pokemon engaging a pair of figures in white-accented suits.
One of the two members returned a Raichu, tossing out a pair of balls from her belt. "Doublade, Sloking, push them back!" She ordered, the two Pokemon appearing only seconds before they went on the attack. At her side, a man shouted orders at his Magneton and Dragalge, the latter firing blasts down the hallway while the former projected a light screen to bar the way. The woman glared through the barrier. "Crude trash! You are trespassing on the lands of the elegant Flare conglomerate! Surrender, and you will live long enough to witness our new age!"
Kiritsugu blinked, saying nothing as he raised his gun and fired into the barrier, aiming for the woman's knees. Kneecaps, after all, were a privilege afforded to law-abiding citizens that didn't spout fascist dogma while kidnapping and enslaving innocents. The bullet passed through the barrier, slamming into the woman and causing her to collapse, screaming. The battlefield stopped dead as everyone looked at the fallen Administrator– only for Amelie to teleport to the male Admin's shoulders and manifest a psycho cut under his chin.
"Tell them to stand down," she 'said' coldly. "You're playing at terrorism, but we're not playing at all."
"...brutes." The man growled. "Drop your barrier, Magneton." He glared at Amelie. "Will you let her bleed out? Have you no honor?"
"She'll live. But honor isn't something you have, either." Kiri said as both the man's pokemon were returned to his balls. Slowking stepped back, watching warily, while the Doublade sheathed itself, rattling in clear anger.
The camera feed focused on Kiri as he knelt over the now-unconscious female admin, binding her wounds while his partner sealed the Pokeballs of the defeated guardians. The security grunt swallowed, looking at the trail of downed bodies and the grunts struggling with the armory door. "Ma'am, we have a problem…"
"So I see." A tall woman in a beautiful dress peered over her underling's shoulder. "Tsk. They entered in the right way to seal off our more common resources. Open the side gates and ready the essentials for evacuation. We will have to scrub this location, win or lose."
"Ma'am?" The grunt looked up, surprised.
"I recognize the girl. She's a special agent from Interpol." The woman clicked her tongue."Even if we kill her and the mercenary, Interpol will still investigate. If I win, we'll have time for a full cleanup. If I lose…" She trailed off, eyes hard beneath her hat. "Well. On second thought, contact the men guarding the materials for Project Arrondissement, and see them evacuated now."
"Yes, Contessa. And you will be…"
"Confronting our guests." The woman turned on her heel and headed to the doors of the security room. "Oh, and send a message to the Chancellor. Let him know about this setback."
"Your will be done," the man acknowledged, turning back to his monitor and beginning to type. His boss strode from the room, heading for the central atrium.
The two invaders and their Pokemon escorts emerged from the maze of hallways to find themselves in a large indoor courtyard, filled with artful fountains and benches. Elle raised one eyebrow. "Might be pricks, but these guys have more style than Cipher, that's for sure."
Kiri narrowed his eyes as he scanned the room. In the middle of the courtyard, a tall woman wearing a red dress and a veiled hat stood, the stole around her shoulders not concealing the bag adorned with six Pokeballs. He looked around the courtyard, spotting a dozen Flare grunts waiting in the wings. "...this is a killing ground. We are not walking out there."
"Agreed, especially since we've resorted to lethal force, they won't feel inclined to hold back either," Elle nodded, clearly considering her options, "They clearly know we're here. You could always try and hit the woman who is obviously in charge in the kneecaps, again."
"Really, darlings?" The woman pitched her voice, shifting before the fountain in the center of the room. "Don't be such a boor." Her head tilted. "Miss Emmanuelle Jacobs. I've heard good things about you." She tapped the balls on her handbag. "I'd like to test them. I challenge you to a battle, young lady. For this base and all within it at the battle's end."
Elle grimaced. "Crap. She's calling us out." She muttered under her breath.
Kiritsugu cocked his head to the side, "I assume this is a quirk present within your world?"
"Yeah. If I reject it, they won't hold back at all. If I accept, she's bound by the prize rules. But the wording is tricky." She scowled. "And she's probably stalling. But if we try to fight, what are our chances of getting through this intact?" She eyed the edges of the courtyard and the grunts lining it, some with Pokeballs and others with firearms..
"Accept the challenge." Kiritsugu said simply, nodding towards Amelie, "If you can hear me, Amelie, once they're engaged, we are going to do our best to sneak behind them, and hopefully figure out what they're stalling for."
"I hear you, and I'm relaying it to Elle." Amelie sent back.
Elle stepped forward, her balls withdrawing her whole team. "I accept your challenge." She paused, leveling a stare. "Your eyes and name."
The woman pulled her hat off, handing it to a Mr. Mime who faded into existence behind her. Meeting Elle's eyes with her own, she smiled. "I am the Contessa du Callac, Madame Jones. But you may call me Collette." She plucked a ball from her bag. "Shall we?" She tossed the ball forward, as Elle did the same.
A Furfou with coiffed fur, head styled to look like a lady's hat, stood across from Meowstic, the little cat-fox grinning wickedly as he mockingly bowed towards the poodle.
"Meowstic, Fake Out!" Elle barked, kicking off the battle with the sharp declaration, the cat-fox blurring forwards as he clapped both his tails against the sensitive ears of the Furfou, the poodle flinching back as Contessa barked out her own order.
"Furfou- Nevermind, prepare a Body Slam!"
"Reflect, catch and release!" Elle called, completely ignoring the Furfou as Meowstic manifested a glowing barrier before him, the light of the status move fading away as the Furfou shook their head, charging the little cat, only to blink in surprise as they slammed face first into the Reflect, and were subsequently lifted off their feat by a Psychic that Meowstic had obviously prepared beforehand, a deep, mocking laugh coming from the Pokemon.
"Play with the big boys and you'll get slapped, fool." The cat snickered nastily, letting telepathy carry his taunt into the surrounding humans.
The spectacle drew the eyes of everyone in the room, which worked perfectly. Kiri grinned as he slipped behind the grunts, ducking behind the stacked boxes and elegant planters perched around the room. Looking back, he raised one eyebrow at the copy of him left behind. "...what move was that? Copies like that…"
"Substitute. It's used as a sacrificial copy in battle, takes a toll on the user. Not surprised the shinobi knows it." Amelie looked back to see the Frogadier sway slightly before righting themself. "...I think you'd work well with them."
"Agreed," he whispered, going to move on, before freezing as Meowstic's telepathy touched his mind.
"Stay. They're paying attention again. Wait till I do my next big distraction, or until you start hearing cheers or groans." The Cat declared, a grimace conveyed as he intercepted a bodyslam from the Furfro, this one having come a tad too fast for him to psychically redirect. With a furious snarl, the cat grabbed the Furfrou again, throwing them up into the air and modulating his telepathy so it wasn't exclusive anymore, "Oi, runt. That hurt, you asshole. I hope you like payback."
"Don't get distracted, Meowstic, Dazzling Bolt." Elle barked, well aware of her Cat-Fox's sadistic tendencies.
"Right," he declared, his form shining with fairy energy, before it was launched with a crackle of energy, riding the back of a Thunderbolt, an explosion of dual-typed energy sending the Furfro rocketing into the ground.
"Pro-" Contessa called desperately, only to be cut off by a gleeful cackle from Meowstic as he closed in.
"Feint. Finish this with Hypnosis," Elle declared neutrally as her cat did just that, the perfectly modulated normal type energy smashed through the protect, the cat's eyes glowing with psychic energy as he put his opponent to sleep. "Dream Eater."
"Oh, the nightmares are always so deliciously spicy." Meowstic purred aloud, both vocally and through broadcasted telepathy, concealing a hidden message. "Go, now!"
Kiri nodded, slipping out of the room and into a side passage. As he entered the corridor, he triggered one of the mystic codes he'd collected from his reserves. "Amelie, stay on me or return to your ball. My scrambler will only work if you remain connected to me."
"Affirmative. I'll keep a telepathic lookout." Amelie declared, hopping onto Kiritsugu's back, "... Kiritsugu… there's a bunch of panicked Flare Grunts and someone high up broadcasting their emotions… They're distressed, rushed. Something important? Empathy doesn't give me much, but I do believe we found why the Admin is so willing to sacrifice herself to buy time."
"Guide me in. Are you still linked to Braixen?" At Amelie's affirmative, he continued. "How's the fight going?"
"Elle is doing well, Amelie. She withdrew Meowstic when the bitch sent out Goodra, and has responded with her Braviary. He's running rings around Goodra."
"Goodra? Aren't those hard to raise? She's better than I'd think." Kiri reasoned as Amelie led him to an area deeper into the complex, passing sleeping quarters and several labs. He glanced in one, frowning as he looked over the items inside. "...I don't recognize those pokemon," he remarked as he looked at pictures of four quadrupedal forms, each with a noble bearing.
"The Unovan Swords of Justice. I think Bussian has another branch of their line, but they're a lot less visible there."The Kirlia stated, frowning as she glared in the general direction of the pictures, "But why would they have pictures of them?"
"If I had to guess? Either recruitment, or counter-development. If 'Swords of Justice' means what I think it means," Kiri replied. "But we can find out later; there's no one in these labs." He stalked forward, stepping into the shadows to avoid a group of gunts emerging from one of the labs, pushing a cart of fossils and gemstones. Kiri fell in behind them, moving silently as they approached the sound of barked orders and heavy thumps.
The grunts shoved their way through a thick pair of security doors, emerging into a loading dock. A half-dozen roller doors were open, open to the backs of a number of moving trucks, grunts, drivers, and scientists scrambling to pack specimens, computers, and equipment. As Kiri watched, a group of scientists hastily shoved a large device into one of the trucks, grunts inside securing the device with straps. One of the scientists spat. "Oafs! You will destabilize the calibration! The generator cannot be damaged, you will set back our work by weeks–"
"If we don't get this stuff loaded up and out, it's all going to the League, Dr. White!" An Admin snapped as he grabbed the man by the shoulder. "Your equipment is loaded, now get to your transports; the Chancellor wants you all to fall back to the safehouses in Orsay and Dahara. We'll find you and let you know where the new labs will be set up."
"Amelie, can you surprise the scientist? We'll need him alive. He'll be the easiest to break." Kiritsugu commanded as he began raising his weapon, mentally calculating if he could risk going nonlethal before deciding that, yes, he could, especially if he used reinforcement and Time Alter.
"Of course. On my way." The Kirlia stated professionally, teleporting onto Dr. White's shoulder.
As Amelie popped away, Kitritsugu muttered an incantation, "Time Alter; Double Accel." He was upon them, his sidearm out as he kneecapped two of the grunts in quick succession, sending them to the floor as he dashed towards the Admin, firing two shots at each of his knees. The Admin collapsed, one of the balls at his belt opening to reveal an armored insect.
"Escavalier!" The bug screeched, lance whizzing by Kiritsugu as it lashed out, the assassin dodging as his time accel dropped off. Amelie popped back over his head, a blast of fire smashing into the armored plates and sending him sprawling, in time for Kiri's fist to crunch into its faceplate and knock it out.
One of the female grunts gasped, covering her mouth with a blush. "Oh Arceus–"
"You and your damned bloodlust! Get him!" One of the other grunts barked, leveling his gun then going down on one knee. "Aim high, we can't hit each other!" Around the room, the grunts shook off their shock and followed suit while the other scientists bolted for the exits, some tossing out Duosion, Sigilyph, and Magnemite to cover their escape. Those grunts without guns tossed out a variety of small Pokemon, which darted for the ex-assassin and his partner.
With a frown, Kiritsugu assessed the situation, before deeming it untenable, "Amelie, prepare a teleport for repositioning," he broadcasted to his partner, "Time Alter, Triple Accel." He muttered, snapping off a series of shots that sent four grunts to the floor, dead. The time to try and preserve lives was over; he couldn't afford mercy anymore. Not for the first time, he cursed how powerless he was, and resolved to get better, stronger, faster, so he could at least attempt to live up to the ideals he had chosen to.
Amelie didn't respond, merely grabbing her partner's shoulder and dragging her to behind the makeshift firing line. Kiri's eyes narrowed, and he cursed as several of the scientists made it through the doors, while the two loaded trucks slammed their gates shut and started up. Feigning panic; it wouldn't do for Flare to figure out this was a major bust quite yet after all, Kiritsugu intentionally fired into the backs of the retiring scientists, also intentionally missing.
The momentarily confused grunts sighted in on Kiri again, forcing the hitman to dodge aside, switching back to firing at the grunts, ducking behind a stack of palleted cleaning supplies. "Amelie, how is Elle doing? Can she come to assist?"
"She has won. Contessa conceded and teleported away before Haboo could stop her, though Meowstic was able to track her teleport in the general direction of Lumiose City." Amelie replied after a few moments of focusing, "Braixen is directing Elle towards us, she will be here shortly; Meowstic is teleporting her and the starters over."
"Good–" Kiri winced as a bullet punctured one of the bottles of bleach near his position. "Because unless I want to get even more lethal, we could use some backup."
As he spoke, one of the grunts yelled. "The Contessa has fled! We need to leave, now!"
"Fuck that, he killed Soren!" One of the grunts responded, even as a Growlithe rounded the corner and leapt for Kiri's throat. Unfortunately for the Growlithe, he was small, and Kiritsugu was a professionally trained assassin, one that had invested in learning close combat techniques after being demolished by a certain priest. He was grabbed by his scruff and tossed back towards the Flare Grunts, just as a loud pop resounded from behind Kiritsugu, announcing the arrival of Elle.
"Flanked and outgunned; Kiri, you need to get used to having allies!" Elle shot at him as her team flowed out of her balls, blasting back the oncoming enemies. She gave a quick chop at the departing trucks. "Braviary, Whirlwind!"
The massive eagle swooped outside, gale-force winds toppling the trucks with a series of booms, while Frogadier darted over the heads of the grunts to barr their way to the doors, Chespin hopping off their back to growl menacingly at their side.
"Thank you for your timely arrival, Elle," Kiritsugu stated blandly instead of giving the woman more ammunition to work with; he'd had a plan damnit, and that meant occupying the Flare Grunts until she had time to clean up with the Admin. "I see that Contessa refused to be taken captive; a pity. So much for honor."
"She didn't even finish the battle!" Elle groused, yanking her pistol from under her coat. "I was up two-five, and she fucking conceded and had her Mime teleport her free! Ugh!" She scowled. "I don't even need a mega-band, so why she thought that was proper compensation-" She ducked under a blast of light, coming up and popping off some shots to keep heads down. "Ugh, self-righteous pricks." Across the room, one of the grunts who'd rushed the door staggered back, falling to the ground as Chespin leapt up to head height and pounded his face in. At his side, Frogadier volleyed water pulses to blast back the retreating grunts.
"Not the time,," Amelie deadpanned as she chucked one of the few still standing grunts into another one, sending both of them tumbling to the floor. "I understand that these poor grunts are jokes, but some of them could still have a surprise up their overly pompous sleeves."
"Stop, or I'll blow us all to the Distortion Realm!" One of the scientists yelled, holding up a datapad. "This base was rigged to explode to hide what was happening here. If I press the button–"
Kiri slowed time, then blinked and let it go, even as a lavender shape popped out of midair, flaming twig swinging in an arc, a hint of lavender fur giving hints to the identity of the individual who had intervened. The scientist screamed as Braixen lopped his arm off, catching the datapad as it fell. The shiny fox looked around the room, waggling her stick invitingly. "Braix."
"...oh what the hell." One of the other scientists raised his hands, pokeballs clacking to the ground. "I signed up to research Pokeballs. This is too much." As the grunts and remaining scientists looked around, more and more weapons clattered to the floor, returning their Pokemon and kneeling.
Elle sighed. "Right. Braixen, if you can teleport, that means the dark emitters are off, right?" At the fox's nod, she sighed. "I'll call for a couple of interpol teams. Kiri, start triaging everyone you shot. They're our responsibility now."
"Of course." Kiritsugu acknowledged with a tilt of his head; no sense in letting valuable prisoners and intelligence bleed out in front of him. Nevermind the lives he would be wasting simply by letting them die.
"You just don't want to kill anyone else you don't absolutely have to," Amelie accused, catching onto his train of thought like the shark she was, "Why can't you just admit that to yourself?"
"...I think you know why." Kiri muttered, the near elation of victory dying with a quiet rush of old shame. Amelie's admonishment snuffed at the same instant. If I'd tried to be a better person before, how many more could I have saved?
"Right." Amelie agreed, only to perk up as dark blue shape bounded over to them. "Though this time, I think it was worth it." Frogadier landed beside Kiri, watching with an odd expression before croaking quietly. "They're thanking you for your help… and wondering why you're bothering to keep them alive," she relayed as Kiri crouched over one of the shot grunts, straps tightening into a tourniquet above a flowing bullet wound.
"Life is precious, far too precious to discard when it is within your ability to save." Kiritsugu replied simply, cuffing the Flare Grunt he had just finished patching up, "That said, it is not as if they'll be going free. Interpol will be taking them in."
Frogadier nodded, then shifted positions to watch Kiri's back, Chespin darting over to stand beside him. Kiri smiled as he saw the stoic amphibian place one hand atop the grass-type's cap. Amelie was right; it was nice to see some good come from his actions.
"...and it is aggressively unfortunate that many of the scientists managed to escape. Still, seven out of ten of those here have been captured, including the second of this 'Contessa.' We have also gained considerable intelligence as to where they are sourcing their Pokemon, and some ideas into their goals and methodologies," Looker said as he read off the tablet in his hands. He looked up, smiling. "Very good work, Mr. Emiya. I am happy to see you working well with agent Emmanuelle."
The woman in question dusted off her hands, walking over from where she'd been helping load the last of the captured grunts into an Interpol paddy wagon. "He's a good partner. Maybe a little excessive for most criminal organizations. But, if Cipher ever comes back, he'd be… maybe my second pick? Kinda hard to beat that one time I got to work with Lance."
"The Champion of Kanto and the Leader of the G-Men?" Kiritsugu asked, looking up from his tablet at least and cocking his head to the side, "Understandable why I would be second to such a man, though I am impressed I manage to place so high in your considerations, Elle."
"Look, you're worth about three advanced level Pokemon on your own, and there aren't many other agents who know how to fight other than toss out their Pokemon. Cipher likes taking trainers hostage; that wouldn't work at all with you on my side." Elle responded. "Lance gets a pass because he has a ridiculous team, and he's perfectionist enough and good enough with Aura to also be a skilled investigator, infiltrator, and martial artist. He's also really, really busy, though."
"Part-time agents are not as reliable as full-time," Looker observed. "Still, the G-Men are useful in the greater Kanto area." We waved one hand. "Ah, though I do not need to tell you that, Mr. Emiya. You are a professional."
"It does make sense," Kiritsugu nodded, making a mental note to look for more geopolitical texts and such. He clearly didn't understand the world's situation as much as he liked, and it never hurt to know more. Especially given how likely it was he would require further help to dismantle Flare. They really were far too well funded for a terrorist organization. Suspiciously so.
"I am glad you do." He smiled and began patting his pockets. "Now, I normally give out something when a mission ends successfully. This counts, I think!"
Elle sighed. "Looker, we don't need whatever spare resources or gifts you picked up along the way…" She deadpanned. "I still don't know how to use that fishing rod you gave me after our first mission."
"Bah, fishing is good relaxation. Fish, day, feed, all that too," Looker commented, digging his arm up to his elbow into his jacket pocket. "Aha!" He pulled out a small electronic doodad. "Hmm. No, I don't think you need a Pokeradar…"
"You know, maybe you should just get Kiri and I some of those experimental non-lethal ammunition." Elle advised.
"That's standard issue. Or rather, agent Nishikigi insists it should be. Agent Inou then points out that it's still hilariously inaccurate and not everyone can literally dodge bullets to get close enough for them to be effective. I'll have some sent over." He put the radar pack in his pocket, this time pulling out a small plastic card. "...hmm. TM voucher, redeemable at any Silph Co. storefront or at Masked Royal dot com. Perfect!" He handed the card to Kiri. "Good for three unlimited TMs. I think that came from a contest I won while undercover."
"Thank you, Looker," Kiritsugu stated as he accepted the vouchers, stuffing them into his coat pocket faux-carelessly. He'd order them off the aforementioned website later, with Amelie's input. His comrade deserved to be able to choose the moves she'd be gaining access to.
As he moved to walk away, he felt a little hand tug on his pant leg. "Pin? Che-pin?" He looked down to see the red grass-type looking up at him. Braixen and Frogadier trotted up behind their younger comrade, Braixen chugging a bottled mocha.
Amelie looked over at Looker from her spot on Kiri's shoulder. "Umm. They're asking to come with us. Why?"
Looker's smile dropped. "Rare Pokemon are usually kept a close eye on. Starters even more so; they are matched with aspiring trainers or given to Professors and teachers to give to students. The breeders who supposedly provided these three to good homes likely sold them instead. Even a cursory look at the paperwork shows… indiscretions."
"I see. Even here, in this place far more peaceful than my world, greed still allows for such tragedies," Kiritsugu whispered, crouching down near the trio of Kalosian Starter Pokemon, "I would be honored to have you accompany me, Braixen, Frogadier, Chespin." Frogadier smiled as Chespin cheered.
"Aww. It's always great to see new team members join up," Elle sighed. "It's been a long time since I've recruited anyone. Speaking of which–"
"No, we still haven't managed to get you an eight-Pokemon carry limit," Looker said sorrowfully. "The League is not budging; you need to be an officer."
"Bah. No thank you," Elle muttered.
Kiritsugu stood up, looking over at the gathered investigators. "Right. Where do you need us?"
"In bed." Elle said, snagging his shoulder. "We were the point men, our job is done. Looker, could we see your unedited report when you put it together tomorrow?"
"That I can do. Go get some rest." The chief shot the two of them a thumbs up. "Please continue the good work!"
Kiri paused, almost yanking himself free, before Amelie touched his cheek. He nodded. "Alright, back to base, then." He looked down at his three new teammates. "So… do they already have Pokeballs?"
As he worked out the new living situation with his team, Kiri couldn't help but smile at Chespin's antics. Reminds me of Illya. I should give her a call…
I'll do that in the morning. For now, it's time to rest.
If you want to see more of my writing or that of my partner in literature, go ahead and take a look at our Patreons. Mine is here, and Miho's is here. We've got several chapters of Pokémon fanfiction waiting for discerning viewers!
Kiritsugu Emiya looked through the scope of his rifle, flicking the barrel to aim at each of the entrances to the small compound in turn. He watched, eyes narrowed as a group of figures with dyed red hair pushed a cart into one of the garages outside the supposedly abandoned factory. He frowned, keying his comm. "Elle, I am in position, and have eyes on a small group of Flare grunts."
[Copy that, Kiritsugu. My team and I are in position. I'm by the west entrance; the north was too heavily patrolled to slip into. Would you mind making sure I have a clear path in?] Elle responded professionally over the radio. Panning the scope of his rifle towards the West, Kiritsugu mentally nodded as he saw the woman waving.
"Of course, Elle." Pausing, he blanched as something unexpected occurred, "You have a grunt incoming. Given his posture, I don't think he noticed anything, he's just heading that way for no reason in particular."
[...if he's unaware, he won't be a problem.] Kiri watched through his scope as the Grunt rounded the corner, only to be caught with a faceful of green powder from the Jumpluff. As he collapsed into unconsciousness, the young woman grabbed him and dragged him out of sight. [That puts a bit of a time limit on things, though. How soon will a patrol notice he's missing?]
"You have at least two minutes. They just came on shift, and I believe he was taking a smoke break. Check his pockets for cigarettes or drugs, just in case," Kiritsugu stated calmly, panning his rifle towards the nearest grunt, who was yawning, looking completely and utterly bored with his job. He frowned slightly. "While we're talking, I have to ask. Is it… normal to force all the members of teams like this to dye their hair?"
Through his scope, Kiri watched as Elle frisked her victim, pulling out something. [One sidearm… Toxicity Jolt E-Cigarette. No, it's not, at least, not always, but for some reason, they do it anyway. It might have something to do with how easy it is to wash out hair dye nowadays, and it's probably considered a uniform.]
"It's very stupid. Made figuring out that this was their base very easy. Back home, organized crime wears… suits. Or just… workman's clothes."
[So is that why you wear a suit? Because you were part of one of those organized crime groups?] Elle asked as she rounded a corner, cutting behind a line of cars to approach a side door.
"No, I just think they look cool," Kiritsugu replied blandly, panning his rifle ahead of Elle, "Another grunt, he'll pass your position shortly. Shouldn't see you. Up to you how to deal with him, I'm covering."
[I'll let him pass.] Elle ducked behind one of the parked vehicles as the grunt passed. She rose up after the grunt passed, moving to and testing the side door. [Locked… hold on, Haboo, can you–]
Elle's starter calmly emerged from his mistress' shadow, then phased through the door. Seconds later, it swung open. Elle held the door open. [Haboo isn't detecting anyone immediately nearby. Are you coming?]
"In a second," Kiri muttered, then switched comm channels, opening up a long-range link. "Agent Looker, we've confirmed that this base is hosting Team Flare. Can we get local assets to contain the area?"
[Send me the images.] After Kiri sent the information, Looker responded quickly. [I will have Interpol forces cover the major roads out, but most of them do not have the operations licenses you do. Proceed with the mission, we'll catch as many as can flee as possible.]
Kiri confirmed, turning off his comm and looking at his partner. "Amelie, would you mind, dear?" Kiritsugu stated, a soft pop as he teleported over to Elle, his 'starter' locking onto the woman's psychic signature to bypass the barriers and psionic sensory array laid out around the base. He slipped through the door, letting it close behind him. "Alright, I dropped one of Looker's psychic beacons. Does Meowstic have a lock to get you free, or do we need to stick together?"
"He can teleport me out, if necessary," Elle acknowledged. "But I would rather stick together, anyway. Getting overwhelmed by enemies ganging up on you isn't fun in the slightest."
"Agreed. In that case, would you like to take point, or should I?" Kiritsugu replied, slinging his rifle over one shoulder then drawing a pistol from his coat and running through some rudimentary weapons checks.
"Haboo has the point, I'll follow him, and you can take the rear." Elle said as they reached a turn in the hall. "Do we know what they were supposed to be doing here?"
"I don't know," Kiritsugu muttered. "Honestly, half of what they were doing was nonsensical. You have cells dedicated to bribing officials and obtaining weapons, and others which were wholly focused on kidnapping artists or stealing recipe books."
"It's almost as if money isn't a concern for them…" Amelie added from her positon on Kiritsugu's shoulder, the psychic type's eyes screwed shut in concentration as she used her empathic sense to the best of her abilities. "We have a group of grunts, one room over. Haboo, if I direct you, can you take them out?"
The ghostly Eevee cooed, looking up at Amelie. Moments later, he darted through a wall. Through it, both the humans barely heard a short series of thuds and cries before they went silent. Haboo's head emerged from the wall, eyes narrowed. "Mour! Mour!"
Amelie stiffened. "...He says the room has several cages of knocked-out Pokemon."
"Any specific Pokemon, Haboo?" Elle asked, her mind running through the various possibilities and reasons that a group as well funded as Flare would resort to capturing Pokemon instead of simply buying them from Breeders or Poachers through proxies.
"Several Furfrou, a Galarian Ponyta, a Dratini, and a trio of Vulpix. They don't seem mistreated," Amelie relayed.
"That's an odd mix," Kiri mused. "I mean, a Dratini is very valuable, but the rest…"
Haboo barked, a series of odd chirps with an ominous note to them, Elle's eyes widening as her partner pointed out the obvious.
"They're all considered beautiful," Elle gasped, eyes narrowing, "Didn't you say that one Flare Grunt you interrogated a bit back was ranting about Beauty, Kiritsugu?"
"Most of them do. Some rant about perfection, or ugliness instead," Kiri replied. "I wonder why they use so many poison types, then? Most of them aren't… well, conventionally attractive."
"Loyalty has a beauty all of its own!" Kiri and Elle looked to one side, a Flare Grunt having just jumped out from around the corner. "Aha! Intruders! I shall-"
He was, "sadly", interrupted by Kiritsugu rapidly closing the distance between the two of them and clocking his pistol over the man's head, sending the man to the ground, unconscious. Amelie sighed. "Maybe I've just been around you too much, Kiri– but why didn't he attack while we were distracted?"
"They all like doing that. Cipher, Rocket, Pillar, Hood… they all talk a ton. I think it's a side effect of whatever onboarding or brainwashing their bosses do to them." Elle sighed, grabbing the man's legs while Kiri grabbed his arms. Amelie opened a nearby room, and the two trainers set the man inside.
Kiri looked up, blinking as he saw the seven yellowish fish floating in a small pool. "...okay, these aren't pretty. I guess that theory's shot–"
"BASS! BASS! BASS!" The fish raged in their pond, splashing about.
"...ah, those are Feebas. They evolve into Milotic, one of the most beautiful pokemon ever." Elle said delicately.
"Ah, like a caterpillar before they become a butterfly, then." Kiritsugu stated blandly, sighing as he walked over to the pond and kelt down, "I apologize for offending you, Feebas. What would it take for you to quiet down?"
"BAS! BAS!" Most of the fish continued flailing, but one settled down, a pensive look on its face. The last Feebas burbled for a moment, then blew a large bubble which encapsulated her fellows, keeping them quiet. "Bas, bas."
"That one says she is not certain whether or not Flare is going to actually help them evolve, and would like a different master." Amelie translated. "...she is not willing to join a scruffy man in a cheap suit, though."
Elle shook her head. "I don't think I have the time to raise a new team-member…"
"I have a daughter who is a rising star in the Gym Circuit," Kiritsugu stated suddenly as a metaphorical light bulb flickered on in his head, the man rummaging in his coat and pulling out a Rotom Phone, bringing up a photo of Illya's trainer card and the badge she had collected thus far, "This is my daughter, Illyasviel. Would you mind if I sent you to her?"
"Bas!" The Feebas wiggled happily. "Fee-fee-bas."
"She says that your daughter is beautiful, and wonders how you managed to have her. She also agrees," Amelie relayed.
Kiri rummaged through his pockets, pulling out a Pokeball. "...you know, I've looted several of these, but I've never bothered to buy any. Should I?" He asked Elle as he captured the Feebas.
"Probably. Pokeballs have several benefits for extracting Pokemon from situations, largely because they are capable of holding Pokemon in stasis while injured," Elle explained as she returned to her sweep of the room, shaking her head as she found nothing else of interest. "We should move to the next room."
"Agreed," Kiritsugu responded, heading back out into the corridor. The small team swept down the hallway, checking each room as they passed. Kiri frowned as he glanced into one room, noting the array of tools, weapons, and Pokeballs on racks. "...I suppose this is what a fully stocked armory looks like here. Why do they keep some Pokemon in cages, and some in balls?"
"All Pokeballs, at least modern ones, have registration signals, so that Pokemon Centers and other institutions can return them to their owners. But that also allows the government to keep an eye on people with strong or unusual teams."
"I see. I wonder what counts?" Kiritsugu mused to himself, making a clean sweep of the room, nodding towards Elle. "What do you recommend we do? You are the expert here."
"We need to find their boss, capture them, and take them to Looker," she said quietly. "From what I've seen, we do know enough about what Flare wants, who they are. And I don't think either of us are great at interrogations." She paused. "...actually, are you?"
"I am passible without magecraft, and competent enough with hypnosis magic to get the job done with it," Kiritsugu stated blandly, before point back towards the Pokeballs, "The question I was asking was not what to do with Team Flare, but rather, these Pokeballs. I am loathe to leave a potent supply of weapons behind, especially one accessible by our enemy."
"...Yeah, that's… fair. Trouble is, we can't just repossess them en masse. Some may be personal pokemon, some bulk catches, others sold-off professional teams." With a frown, Elle sent out Houndoom. "Melt the lock." As the lanky fire-type directed a blast of heat at the door, she elaborated. "We'll call Interpol to do a sweep later. This should slow down them reclaiming the Pokemon."
Kiritsugu nodded in approval, "Alright, onto the next area. We should be getting close to the last few rooms, now." As he moved to continue down the hallway, something shifting caught the corner of his eye. Turning, the assassin watched as one of the grates along the ceiling was pushed out, falling forward. Before it could fall far, a long pink muscle snapped into it. As they watched, a dark blue hand gripped the grate, pulling it in, before a lithe frog-like Pokemon emerged from the vent, dropping to the floor while cradling a red-brown creature. As they landed, a lavender fox-creature pulled itself free of the vent, the frog-being catching them as they practically fell to the floor, exhaustion clear on their face.
"Kiritsugu, they were masking their presence, psychically, but it just dropped briefly, and I didn't sense any hostility from the Frogadier, Braixen, nor Chespin, only fear." Amelie interjected rapidly, making her presence known as she rapidly snapped off a cheerful greeting in her native tongue. All three Pokemon froze, the Frogadier immediately moving to place itself between the two humans and their two companions.
Elle reacted immediately, Haboo coming out of her shadow and yipping a friendly greeting, "We aren't here to harm you; we aren't with Team Flare. We're with the International Police, working on dismantling this terrorist group."
As she spoke, Kiritsugu briefly stiffened, feeling a presence he was unfamiliar with brush against his mind before withdrawing moments later; the Braixen, who had struggled to their feet in a display likely meant to intimidate, collapsed back to their knees. She gave a quiet, feminine yip. "Braix…" The little red Pokemon immediately moved over to her, getting beneath her arm.
Amelie tilted her head. "They're escapees." The Frogadier croaked loudly, looking around. "He says he needs to get his companions to safety, and asks where the nearest exit is before the–" She was cut off as the lights in the corridor turned yellow, a loud buzzing echoing through the complex. "-alarms sound." All three of the escapees flinched at the sound, Frogadier slamming his fist into the wall with enough force to leave a dent.
Kiritsugu calmly pulled out a submachine gun, leveling it down the hallway as the thud of boots began to sound throughout the base, "Elle, would you mind covering our back? I have this hallway covered."
Elle responded by drawing the sidearm Kiri had insisted upon, tapping one of the balls at her waist. "Ampharos, be ready with thunder wave." The bulky sheep-dragon bleated, aiming her orbs down the hall. Frogadier hesitated before grabbing the fox in their party and dashing in between the humans, setting their partner down and taking up a position beside Kiri, beads of water collecting on the pads of his fingers.
"The escapees are this way, get your nets out–" One flare grunt called, rounding a corner while holding a bazooka-esque device. He stopped, speechless as he spotted Kiri, even as a small group of fellow grunts piled up behind him. "-shit. SWITCH-"
Unfortunately for the Flare Grunt, he was promptly shot in the kneecaps rather blandly by a certain Magus Killer, the man proceeding to sweep his SMG through the Flare grunts, doing his absolute best to disable rather than kill them all; while they did, likely, deserve death, that was not for him to decide, not while he was working with Law Enforcement, at least. The chatter of his gun echoed through the hallway as he downed his opponents. One man managed to jerk a ball off his belt before falling, causing a bulky pokemon to emerge, bullets bouncing off its hide. "FERROTHORN!" The creature roared.
"Amelie, Mystical Fire." Kiritsugu ordered calmly as he reloaded his weapon, rolling his neck as he leveled his gun back towards the Pokemon as Amelie launched her attack. The fire blast sent the grass-type tumbling back, screeching, only for a pair of Lycanroc to round the corner and intercept the follow-up.
Frogadier started flicking their fingers, each snap causing a pulse of blue liquid to blast across and hammer the incoming rock dogs. "Frog-a-frog."
"What is Sui-dan no Jutsu?" Amelie asked.
"It literally translates to Water Bullet Technique" Kiritsugu replied with a blink, spraying another series of bullets downrage towards the Pokemon, who, thankfully, dove for cover, "If you wish to be a Ninja, might I recommend that you properly ask one of the Kantoian Clans for instruction, instead of a random manga?"
Amelie listened as the Frogadier muttered. "He says he'll need to learn how to read first, as they only ever put on TV for him to watch." The Kirlia winced as one man's scream was cut off into a gurgle. "If you want any of them to live, you should probably switch to melee. At this point, your missed shots are hitting the wounded."
"We're also out of upright targets," Kiri observed, holstering his gun. The hallway before him was painted in a mix of groaning bodies, silent corpses, and red blood. Behind him, Elle sighed.
"Gah, this is… awful. Really wish they'd come quietly," Elle muttered.
"Unfortunately, they knew the risks when they joined a terrorist organization," Kiritsugu stated flatly, though a part of him did mourn that it was necessary to take such actions to preserve his and his team's safety. "Amelie, shall we try and stabilize the ones we can?"
"Of course." Amelie grumbled, hopping onto Kiritsugu's shoulder as he began walking towards the downed Flare Grunts, the man rummaging through his coat and pulling out a First Aid kit. Elle sent out her Jumpluff, who began using Sleep Powder to knock out those who attempted to get to their feet, as she dug out her own first aid kit. As she worked, Amelie continued speaking. "Stealth is out the window. Do we want to take our new allies outside, then go hunting–"
"That's… not… possible." A tired voice, feminine and husky, sounded in their minds. Braixen trotted ahead of her partner, aided by the Chespin supporting her. "When the escape alarm sounds, they lock down the building. Deadbolts and hidden bars." She managed more clearly.
"Hmm, well, if all else fails, we can simply reclaim your Pokeballs and teleport out. We have a beacon out in the forest that Flare shouldn't have the raw power to jam." Kiritsugu suggested, tilting his head to the side as he considered the cost-benefit reward of pushing through the rest of the base, "However, if you three feel up for it, we would much rather press onward; we were raiding this base for intelligence, and I would still like to find out more before we retire."
"We… do not have pokeballs," Braixen said quietly. "All three of us were stolen from breeders. Shinies… are in high demand."
Kiritsugu frowned. "Shinies? What do you mean?"
"Ah, right, faller." Elle nodded, "Similar to albinism, Pokemon very rarely are born in an alternate coloration that produces a unique effect when called out from a Pokeball; a series of sparkles. As a result, they're called 'Shinies' and are highly sought after due to their rarity. Only about one in every four thousand and forty eight Pokemon are 'shiny', after all."
"Oh." Kiri looked over the three Pokemon. "That's an oddly precise number. We can probably find a place for you all to hide…"
Chespin squeaked, running up and hugging the man's leg, much to his surprise. Braixen shook her head, even as Frogadier croaked and crossed his arms. "Frogadier will not… dishonor your efforts by leaving you alone. Chespin is… unwilling to leave behind the first one to fight for him." She huffed. "And I… believe my place is by their sides."
Kiritsugu's gaze softened, "In that case, stay behind myself and Amelie. Elle, would you mind taking point? I am going to set traps to cover our rear."
"Hold. Let me…" Braixen trotted forward, extending a hand to Amelie. The psychic took the faux-psychic's hand, and the was a tiny flash of light. "...she can guide you, should I collapse again."
Amelie perked up. "It's a bit rough, but I know where the central control of this facility is- and that's also where the boss' office is located. We weren't quite going the right way.""
"Lead Elle, Amelie, I will take the rear." Kiritsugu said firmly, nodding towards the veteran trainer, "Full assault, Elle. Try and blitz them if possible."
"Blitz? Got it." Elle unhooker a different ball. "Braviary, Haboo, Houndoom; you have point. Blast them back." The three Pokemon gave her nods before charging down the appropriate hallway, wings, legs, and teeth shining as they ran forward. With a grunt she scooped up Braixen over her shoulders. "Come on, let's go!"
The entire group thundered down the hall, legs pumping as the yellow alarm switched over to a brilliant red, a wail sounding throughout the complex. Frogadier eyed the alarm boxes as they passed, eyes darting about. "A-Dier."
"That's the intruder alarm. The grunts will have their combat teams out, and lethal weapons if available." Amelie translated. "Ugh, this is getting tiring. Do you think we could pay the Tohsaka girl for her translator tech?"
"We have the funds for it, and I doubt Miss Tohsaka will object. I see no reason not to try and arrange a favorable trade." Kiritsugu shrugged, eyes still fixed firmly ahead, clearly expecting trouble. His expectations were vindicated as a fight broke out down the corridor, the three point Pokemon engaging a pair of figures in white-accented suits.
One of the two members returned a Raichu, tossing out a pair of balls from her belt. "Doublade, Sloking, push them back!" She ordered, the two Pokemon appearing only seconds before they went on the attack. At her side, a man shouted orders at his Magneton and Dragalge, the latter firing blasts down the hallway while the former projected a light screen to bar the way. The woman glared through the barrier. "Crude trash! You are trespassing on the lands of the elegant Flare conglomerate! Surrender, and you will live long enough to witness our new age!"
Kiritsugu blinked, saying nothing as he raised his gun and fired into the barrier, aiming for the woman's knees. Kneecaps, after all, were a privilege afforded to law-abiding citizens that didn't spout fascist dogma while kidnapping and enslaving innocents. The bullet passed through the barrier, slamming into the woman and causing her to collapse, screaming. The battlefield stopped dead as everyone looked at the fallen Administrator– only for Amelie to teleport to the male Admin's shoulders and manifest a psycho cut under his chin.
"Tell them to stand down," she 'said' coldly. "You're playing at terrorism, but we're not playing at all."
"...brutes." The man growled. "Drop your barrier, Magneton." He glared at Amelie. "Will you let her bleed out? Have you no honor?"
"She'll live. But honor isn't something you have, either." Kiri said as both the man's pokemon were returned to his balls. Slowking stepped back, watching warily, while the Doublade sheathed itself, rattling in clear anger.
The camera feed focused on Kiri as he knelt over the now-unconscious female admin, binding her wounds while his partner sealed the Pokeballs of the defeated guardians. The security grunt swallowed, looking at the trail of downed bodies and the grunts struggling with the armory door. "Ma'am, we have a problem…"
"So I see." A tall woman in a beautiful dress peered over her underling's shoulder. "Tsk. They entered in the right way to seal off our more common resources. Open the side gates and ready the essentials for evacuation. We will have to scrub this location, win or lose."
"Ma'am?" The grunt looked up, surprised.
"I recognize the girl. She's a special agent from Interpol." The woman clicked her tongue."Even if we kill her and the mercenary, Interpol will still investigate. If I win, we'll have time for a full cleanup. If I lose…" She trailed off, eyes hard beneath her hat. "Well. On second thought, contact the men guarding the materials for Project Arrondissement, and see them evacuated now."
"Yes, Contessa. And you will be…"
"Confronting our guests." The woman turned on her heel and headed to the doors of the security room. "Oh, and send a message to the Chancellor. Let him know about this setback."
"Your will be done," the man acknowledged, turning back to his monitor and beginning to type. His boss strode from the room, heading for the central atrium.
The two invaders and their Pokemon escorts emerged from the maze of hallways to find themselves in a large indoor courtyard, filled with artful fountains and benches. Elle raised one eyebrow. "Might be pricks, but these guys have more style than Cipher, that's for sure."
Kiri narrowed his eyes as he scanned the room. In the middle of the courtyard, a tall woman wearing a red dress and a veiled hat stood, the stole around her shoulders not concealing the bag adorned with six Pokeballs. He looked around the courtyard, spotting a dozen Flare grunts waiting in the wings. "...this is a killing ground. We are not walking out there."
"Agreed, especially since we've resorted to lethal force, they won't feel inclined to hold back either," Elle nodded, clearly considering her options, "They clearly know we're here. You could always try and hit the woman who is obviously in charge in the kneecaps, again."
"Really, darlings?" The woman pitched her voice, shifting before the fountain in the center of the room. "Don't be such a boor." Her head tilted. "Miss Emmanuelle Jacobs. I've heard good things about you." She tapped the balls on her handbag. "I'd like to test them. I challenge you to a battle, young lady. For this base and all within it at the battle's end."
Elle grimaced. "Crap. She's calling us out." She muttered under her breath.
Kiritsugu cocked his head to the side, "I assume this is a quirk present within your world?"
"Yeah. If I reject it, they won't hold back at all. If I accept, she's bound by the prize rules. But the wording is tricky." She scowled. "And she's probably stalling. But if we try to fight, what are our chances of getting through this intact?" She eyed the edges of the courtyard and the grunts lining it, some with Pokeballs and others with firearms..
"Accept the challenge." Kiritsugu said simply, nodding towards Amelie, "If you can hear me, Amelie, once they're engaged, we are going to do our best to sneak behind them, and hopefully figure out what they're stalling for."
"I hear you, and I'm relaying it to Elle." Amelie sent back.
Elle stepped forward, her balls withdrawing her whole team. "I accept your challenge." She paused, leveling a stare. "Your eyes and name."
The woman pulled her hat off, handing it to a Mr. Mime who faded into existence behind her. Meeting Elle's eyes with her own, she smiled. "I am the Contessa du Callac, Madame Jones. But you may call me Collette." She plucked a ball from her bag. "Shall we?" She tossed the ball forward, as Elle did the same.
A Furfou with coiffed fur, head styled to look like a lady's hat, stood across from Meowstic, the little cat-fox grinning wickedly as he mockingly bowed towards the poodle.
"Meowstic, Fake Out!" Elle barked, kicking off the battle with the sharp declaration, the cat-fox blurring forwards as he clapped both his tails against the sensitive ears of the Furfou, the poodle flinching back as Contessa barked out her own order.
"Furfou- Nevermind, prepare a Body Slam!"
"Reflect, catch and release!" Elle called, completely ignoring the Furfou as Meowstic manifested a glowing barrier before him, the light of the status move fading away as the Furfou shook their head, charging the little cat, only to blink in surprise as they slammed face first into the Reflect, and were subsequently lifted off their feat by a Psychic that Meowstic had obviously prepared beforehand, a deep, mocking laugh coming from the Pokemon.
"Play with the big boys and you'll get slapped, fool." The cat snickered nastily, letting telepathy carry his taunt into the surrounding humans.
The spectacle drew the eyes of everyone in the room, which worked perfectly. Kiri grinned as he slipped behind the grunts, ducking behind the stacked boxes and elegant planters perched around the room. Looking back, he raised one eyebrow at the copy of him left behind. "...what move was that? Copies like that…"
"Substitute. It's used as a sacrificial copy in battle, takes a toll on the user. Not surprised the shinobi knows it." Amelie looked back to see the Frogadier sway slightly before righting themself. "...I think you'd work well with them."
"Agreed," he whispered, going to move on, before freezing as Meowstic's telepathy touched his mind.
"Stay. They're paying attention again. Wait till I do my next big distraction, or until you start hearing cheers or groans." The Cat declared, a grimace conveyed as he intercepted a bodyslam from the Furfro, this one having come a tad too fast for him to psychically redirect. With a furious snarl, the cat grabbed the Furfrou again, throwing them up into the air and modulating his telepathy so it wasn't exclusive anymore, "Oi, runt. That hurt, you asshole. I hope you like payback."
"Don't get distracted, Meowstic, Dazzling Bolt." Elle barked, well aware of her Cat-Fox's sadistic tendencies.
"Right," he declared, his form shining with fairy energy, before it was launched with a crackle of energy, riding the back of a Thunderbolt, an explosion of dual-typed energy sending the Furfro rocketing into the ground.
"Pro-" Contessa called desperately, only to be cut off by a gleeful cackle from Meowstic as he closed in.
"Feint. Finish this with Hypnosis," Elle declared neutrally as her cat did just that, the perfectly modulated normal type energy smashed through the protect, the cat's eyes glowing with psychic energy as he put his opponent to sleep. "Dream Eater."
"Oh, the nightmares are always so deliciously spicy." Meowstic purred aloud, both vocally and through broadcasted telepathy, concealing a hidden message. "Go, now!"
Kiri nodded, slipping out of the room and into a side passage. As he entered the corridor, he triggered one of the mystic codes he'd collected from his reserves. "Amelie, stay on me or return to your ball. My scrambler will only work if you remain connected to me."
"Affirmative. I'll keep a telepathic lookout." Amelie declared, hopping onto Kiritsugu's back, "... Kiritsugu… there's a bunch of panicked Flare Grunts and someone high up broadcasting their emotions… They're distressed, rushed. Something important? Empathy doesn't give me much, but I do believe we found why the Admin is so willing to sacrifice herself to buy time."
"Guide me in. Are you still linked to Braixen?" At Amelie's affirmative, he continued. "How's the fight going?"
"Elle is doing well, Amelie. She withdrew Meowstic when the bitch sent out Goodra, and has responded with her Braviary. He's running rings around Goodra."
"Goodra? Aren't those hard to raise? She's better than I'd think." Kiri reasoned as Amelie led him to an area deeper into the complex, passing sleeping quarters and several labs. He glanced in one, frowning as he looked over the items inside. "...I don't recognize those pokemon," he remarked as he looked at pictures of four quadrupedal forms, each with a noble bearing.
"The Unovan Swords of Justice. I think Bussian has another branch of their line, but they're a lot less visible there."The Kirlia stated, frowning as she glared in the general direction of the pictures, "But why would they have pictures of them?"
"If I had to guess? Either recruitment, or counter-development. If 'Swords of Justice' means what I think it means," Kiri replied. "But we can find out later; there's no one in these labs." He stalked forward, stepping into the shadows to avoid a group of gunts emerging from one of the labs, pushing a cart of fossils and gemstones. Kiri fell in behind them, moving silently as they approached the sound of barked orders and heavy thumps.
The grunts shoved their way through a thick pair of security doors, emerging into a loading dock. A half-dozen roller doors were open, open to the backs of a number of moving trucks, grunts, drivers, and scientists scrambling to pack specimens, computers, and equipment. As Kiri watched, a group of scientists hastily shoved a large device into one of the trucks, grunts inside securing the device with straps. One of the scientists spat. "Oafs! You will destabilize the calibration! The generator cannot be damaged, you will set back our work by weeks–"
"If we don't get this stuff loaded up and out, it's all going to the League, Dr. White!" An Admin snapped as he grabbed the man by the shoulder. "Your equipment is loaded, now get to your transports; the Chancellor wants you all to fall back to the safehouses in Orsay and Dahara. We'll find you and let you know where the new labs will be set up."
"Amelie, can you surprise the scientist? We'll need him alive. He'll be the easiest to break." Kiritsugu commanded as he began raising his weapon, mentally calculating if he could risk going nonlethal before deciding that, yes, he could, especially if he used reinforcement and Time Alter.
"Of course. On my way." The Kirlia stated professionally, teleporting onto Dr. White's shoulder.
As Amelie popped away, Kitritsugu muttered an incantation, "Time Alter; Double Accel." He was upon them, his sidearm out as he kneecapped two of the grunts in quick succession, sending them to the floor as he dashed towards the Admin, firing two shots at each of his knees. The Admin collapsed, one of the balls at his belt opening to reveal an armored insect.
"Escavalier!" The bug screeched, lance whizzing by Kiritsugu as it lashed out, the assassin dodging as his time accel dropped off. Amelie popped back over his head, a blast of fire smashing into the armored plates and sending him sprawling, in time for Kiri's fist to crunch into its faceplate and knock it out.
One of the female grunts gasped, covering her mouth with a blush. "Oh Arceus–"
"You and your damned bloodlust! Get him!" One of the other grunts barked, leveling his gun then going down on one knee. "Aim high, we can't hit each other!" Around the room, the grunts shook off their shock and followed suit while the other scientists bolted for the exits, some tossing out Duosion, Sigilyph, and Magnemite to cover their escape. Those grunts without guns tossed out a variety of small Pokemon, which darted for the ex-assassin and his partner.
With a frown, Kiritsugu assessed the situation, before deeming it untenable, "Amelie, prepare a teleport for repositioning," he broadcasted to his partner, "Time Alter, Triple Accel." He muttered, snapping off a series of shots that sent four grunts to the floor, dead. The time to try and preserve lives was over; he couldn't afford mercy anymore. Not for the first time, he cursed how powerless he was, and resolved to get better, stronger, faster, so he could at least attempt to live up to the ideals he had chosen to.
Amelie didn't respond, merely grabbing her partner's shoulder and dragging her to behind the makeshift firing line. Kiri's eyes narrowed, and he cursed as several of the scientists made it through the doors, while the two loaded trucks slammed their gates shut and started up. Feigning panic; it wouldn't do for Flare to figure out this was a major bust quite yet after all, Kiritsugu intentionally fired into the backs of the retiring scientists, also intentionally missing.
The momentarily confused grunts sighted in on Kiri again, forcing the hitman to dodge aside, switching back to firing at the grunts, ducking behind a stack of palleted cleaning supplies. "Amelie, how is Elle doing? Can she come to assist?"
"She has won. Contessa conceded and teleported away before Haboo could stop her, though Meowstic was able to track her teleport in the general direction of Lumiose City." Amelie replied after a few moments of focusing, "Braixen is directing Elle towards us, she will be here shortly; Meowstic is teleporting her and the starters over."
"Good–" Kiri winced as a bullet punctured one of the bottles of bleach near his position. "Because unless I want to get even more lethal, we could use some backup."
As he spoke, one of the grunts yelled. "The Contessa has fled! We need to leave, now!"
"Fuck that, he killed Soren!" One of the grunts responded, even as a Growlithe rounded the corner and leapt for Kiri's throat. Unfortunately for the Growlithe, he was small, and Kiritsugu was a professionally trained assassin, one that had invested in learning close combat techniques after being demolished by a certain priest. He was grabbed by his scruff and tossed back towards the Flare Grunts, just as a loud pop resounded from behind Kiritsugu, announcing the arrival of Elle.
"Flanked and outgunned; Kiri, you need to get used to having allies!" Elle shot at him as her team flowed out of her balls, blasting back the oncoming enemies. She gave a quick chop at the departing trucks. "Braviary, Whirlwind!"
The massive eagle swooped outside, gale-force winds toppling the trucks with a series of booms, while Frogadier darted over the heads of the grunts to barr their way to the doors, Chespin hopping off their back to growl menacingly at their side.
"Thank you for your timely arrival, Elle," Kiritsugu stated blandly instead of giving the woman more ammunition to work with; he'd had a plan damnit, and that meant occupying the Flare Grunts until she had time to clean up with the Admin. "I see that Contessa refused to be taken captive; a pity. So much for honor."
"She didn't even finish the battle!" Elle groused, yanking her pistol from under her coat. "I was up two-five, and she fucking conceded and had her Mime teleport her free! Ugh!" She scowled. "I don't even need a mega-band, so why she thought that was proper compensation-" She ducked under a blast of light, coming up and popping off some shots to keep heads down. "Ugh, self-righteous pricks." Across the room, one of the grunts who'd rushed the door staggered back, falling to the ground as Chespin leapt up to head height and pounded his face in. At his side, Frogadier volleyed water pulses to blast back the retreating grunts.
"Not the time,," Amelie deadpanned as she chucked one of the few still standing grunts into another one, sending both of them tumbling to the floor. "I understand that these poor grunts are jokes, but some of them could still have a surprise up their overly pompous sleeves."
"Stop, or I'll blow us all to the Distortion Realm!" One of the scientists yelled, holding up a datapad. "This base was rigged to explode to hide what was happening here. If I press the button–"
Kiri slowed time, then blinked and let it go, even as a lavender shape popped out of midair, flaming twig swinging in an arc, a hint of lavender fur giving hints to the identity of the individual who had intervened. The scientist screamed as Braixen lopped his arm off, catching the datapad as it fell. The shiny fox looked around the room, waggling her stick invitingly. "Braix."
"...oh what the hell." One of the other scientists raised his hands, pokeballs clacking to the ground. "I signed up to research Pokeballs. This is too much." As the grunts and remaining scientists looked around, more and more weapons clattered to the floor, returning their Pokemon and kneeling.
Elle sighed. "Right. Braixen, if you can teleport, that means the dark emitters are off, right?" At the fox's nod, she sighed. "I'll call for a couple of interpol teams. Kiri, start triaging everyone you shot. They're our responsibility now."
"Of course." Kiritsugu acknowledged with a tilt of his head; no sense in letting valuable prisoners and intelligence bleed out in front of him. Nevermind the lives he would be wasting simply by letting them die.
"You just don't want to kill anyone else you don't absolutely have to," Amelie accused, catching onto his train of thought like the shark she was, "Why can't you just admit that to yourself?"
"...I think you know why." Kiri muttered, the near elation of victory dying with a quiet rush of old shame. Amelie's admonishment snuffed at the same instant. If I'd tried to be a better person before, how many more could I have saved?
"Right." Amelie agreed, only to perk up as dark blue shape bounded over to them. "Though this time, I think it was worth it." Frogadier landed beside Kiri, watching with an odd expression before croaking quietly. "They're thanking you for your help… and wondering why you're bothering to keep them alive," she relayed as Kiri crouched over one of the shot grunts, straps tightening into a tourniquet above a flowing bullet wound.
"Life is precious, far too precious to discard when it is within your ability to save." Kiritsugu replied simply, cuffing the Flare Grunt he had just finished patching up, "That said, it is not as if they'll be going free. Interpol will be taking them in."
Frogadier nodded, then shifted positions to watch Kiri's back, Chespin darting over to stand beside him. Kiri smiled as he saw the stoic amphibian place one hand atop the grass-type's cap. Amelie was right; it was nice to see some good come from his actions.
"...and it is aggressively unfortunate that many of the scientists managed to escape. Still, seven out of ten of those here have been captured, including the second of this 'Contessa.' We have also gained considerable intelligence as to where they are sourcing their Pokemon, and some ideas into their goals and methodologies," Looker said as he read off the tablet in his hands. He looked up, smiling. "Very good work, Mr. Emiya. I am happy to see you working well with agent Emmanuelle."
The woman in question dusted off her hands, walking over from where she'd been helping load the last of the captured grunts into an Interpol paddy wagon. "He's a good partner. Maybe a little excessive for most criminal organizations. But, if Cipher ever comes back, he'd be… maybe my second pick? Kinda hard to beat that one time I got to work with Lance."
"The Champion of Kanto and the Leader of the G-Men?" Kiritsugu asked, looking up from his tablet at least and cocking his head to the side, "Understandable why I would be second to such a man, though I am impressed I manage to place so high in your considerations, Elle."
"Look, you're worth about three advanced level Pokemon on your own, and there aren't many other agents who know how to fight other than toss out their Pokemon. Cipher likes taking trainers hostage; that wouldn't work at all with you on my side." Elle responded. "Lance gets a pass because he has a ridiculous team, and he's perfectionist enough and good enough with Aura to also be a skilled investigator, infiltrator, and martial artist. He's also really, really busy, though."
"Part-time agents are not as reliable as full-time," Looker observed. "Still, the G-Men are useful in the greater Kanto area." We waved one hand. "Ah, though I do not need to tell you that, Mr. Emiya. You are a professional."
"It does make sense," Kiritsugu nodded, making a mental note to look for more geopolitical texts and such. He clearly didn't understand the world's situation as much as he liked, and it never hurt to know more. Especially given how likely it was he would require further help to dismantle Flare. They really were far too well funded for a terrorist organization. Suspiciously so.
"I am glad you do." He smiled and began patting his pockets. "Now, I normally give out something when a mission ends successfully. This counts, I think!"
Elle sighed. "Looker, we don't need whatever spare resources or gifts you picked up along the way…" She deadpanned. "I still don't know how to use that fishing rod you gave me after our first mission."
"Bah, fishing is good relaxation. Fish, day, feed, all that too," Looker commented, digging his arm up to his elbow into his jacket pocket. "Aha!" He pulled out a small electronic doodad. "Hmm. No, I don't think you need a Pokeradar…"
"You know, maybe you should just get Kiri and I some of those experimental non-lethal ammunition." Elle advised.
"That's standard issue. Or rather, agent Nishikigi insists it should be. Agent Inou then points out that it's still hilariously inaccurate and not everyone can literally dodge bullets to get close enough for them to be effective. I'll have some sent over." He put the radar pack in his pocket, this time pulling out a small plastic card. "...hmm. TM voucher, redeemable at any Silph Co. storefront or at Masked Royal dot com. Perfect!" He handed the card to Kiri. "Good for three unlimited TMs. I think that came from a contest I won while undercover."
"Thank you, Looker," Kiritsugu stated as he accepted the vouchers, stuffing them into his coat pocket faux-carelessly. He'd order them off the aforementioned website later, with Amelie's input. His comrade deserved to be able to choose the moves she'd be gaining access to.
As he moved to walk away, he felt a little hand tug on his pant leg. "Pin? Che-pin?" He looked down to see the red grass-type looking up at him. Braixen and Frogadier trotted up behind their younger comrade, Braixen chugging a bottled mocha.
Amelie looked over at Looker from her spot on Kiri's shoulder. "Umm. They're asking to come with us. Why?"
Looker's smile dropped. "Rare Pokemon are usually kept a close eye on. Starters even more so; they are matched with aspiring trainers or given to Professors and teachers to give to students. The breeders who supposedly provided these three to good homes likely sold them instead. Even a cursory look at the paperwork shows… indiscretions."
"I see. Even here, in this place far more peaceful than my world, greed still allows for such tragedies," Kiritsugu whispered, crouching down near the trio of Kalosian Starter Pokemon, "I would be honored to have you accompany me, Braixen, Frogadier, Chespin." Frogadier smiled as Chespin cheered.
"Aww. It's always great to see new team members join up," Elle sighed. "It's been a long time since I've recruited anyone. Speaking of which–"
"No, we still haven't managed to get you an eight-Pokemon carry limit," Looker said sorrowfully. "The League is not budging; you need to be an officer."
"Bah. No thank you," Elle muttered.
Kiritsugu stood up, looking over at the gathered investigators. "Right. Where do you need us?"
"In bed." Elle said, snagging his shoulder. "We were the point men, our job is done. Looker, could we see your unedited report when you put it together tomorrow?"
"That I can do. Go get some rest." The chief shot the two of them a thumbs up. "Please continue the good work!"
Kiri paused, almost yanking himself free, before Amelie touched his cheek. He nodded. "Alright, back to base, then." He looked down at his three new teammates. "So… do they already have Pokeballs?"
As he worked out the new living situation with his team, Kiri couldn't help but smile at Chespin's antics. Reminds me of Illya. I should give her a call…
I'll do that in the morning. For now, it's time to rest.
If you want to see more of my writing or that of my partner in literature, go ahead and take a look at our Patreons. Mine is here, and Miho's is here. We've got several chapters of Pokémon fanfiction waiting for discerning viewers!
That'll make Chisato's day if she hears about this.
I was thinking that Kiri patching up the wounded was rather like Chisato's MO, so the off-screen cameo was a nice cap to that.