Story:Pokemon Guava and Mango/Consortium

The Consortium for the Advancement of Pokemon
Overview  Description= Known as "The Consortium" for short. An organization that seeks to unlock the true potential of Pokemon. Capture Pokemon en masse in the wilds/steal them from trainers, and performs vast batteries of heinously unethical experiments on them in order to develop hidden powers.

They have developed "Pokemon Augmentation", a means of enhancing Pokemon in combat to great heights, at torturous cost to the Pokemon itself. When used in combat, the trainer is seen viscerally shoving a long syringe into a Pokeball before releasing it. Agents= Vs. Augmented Pokemon= Overview of Events= See Bruce Malcaster advertising the Consortium and its products.
 * Research Advisor Walkrin - First major entity of the Consortium faced by Sau. Leads a horde of comically brutish, villainous researchers that abuse their Consortium-granted privileges to achieve their ends. Mildly obsessed with Sau's Magnemite.
 * Mimikyu, Mismagius, Togetic, Bewear, Johtic Sableye
 * Speaker Bruce Malcaster - Public figurehead of the Consortium - very boisterous, loud, charismatic individual.
 * Gyarados, Hariyama, Aggron, Wailord, Augmented Exploud
 * Leon Rathfein - Head of the Underwater Research Facility at Lake of Rage
 * Blaziken, Arcanine, Houndoom, Conkeldurr, Augmented Machamp
 * Chief Morgan - midboss, at this point the Consortium is definitely gunning for Sau
 * Nidoqueen, Claydol, Chesnaught, Dhelmise, Augmented Vileplume
 * Director Kavan Terevanas - director of operations of the Consortium. Shows up frequently in the story as a “head honcho”-esque individual along with his Shedinja and Augmented Alakazam, but not fought until towards the end.
 * Shedinja, Cofagrigus, Yanmega, Sigilyph, Augmented Alakazam
 * President Marduk - the leader. Giovanni equivalent.
 * Absol, Metagross, Gengar, Genesect, Darkrai, Augmented Armored Mewtwo
 * Levi Mayorus - the power behind Marduk, and the true genius of the Consortium. Likely antagonistic agent of the story’s legendary pokemon arc.
 * Augmented Dragonite, Pheromosa, Celesteela, Darkrai, Augmented Lunala
 * 1v2 battle (Augmented vs. 2 player pokemon)
 * Acts twice per round, with unlimited PP
 * Roughly 5x normal HP
 * Immune to OHKO or similar effects
 * Upon reaching 75% HP, all stats increase by 10% and damage it takes is reduced by 10%. These stat increases are independent of the stat caps from regular stat-boosting moves.
 * Upon reaching 50% HP, all stats increase by an additional 15% (total 25%), and damage it takes is reduced by an additional 15% (total 25%). Additionally, the Pokemon gains access to a new Augmented move, used intermittently. All *Augmented moves deal 10% max HP damage to the user after the move is performed. Additionally, Augmented moves will only occur once per round (a second attack will not be used).
 * Machamp: Eleventh Hour: Next attack has its power quadrupled.
 * Vileplume: Verdant Coat: Raises the Attack and Special Attack of all enemies by two steps, and gains a shield that reflects damage taken back to the attacker for 3 turns.
 * Exploud: Triumphant Bellow: 200 power sound-based Normal damage to all combatants. Makes the enemy trainer cower for a turn, causing them to skip their next turn.
 * Alakazam: Reality Revision: 160 power Psychic damage to all enemies, lowers Defense and Special Defense one step, and Confuses.
 * Armored Mewtwo: Ultimate Lucidity: Lowers the HP of one enemy to 1 and raises the user’s Speed by two steps.
 * Dragonite: End of Days: 200 power Dragon damage to all combatants, lowers Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed of all combatants by 1 step.
 * Lunala: Unto Darkness: Removes an enemy afflicted with Sleep from combat. They are removed from the player’s list of Pokemon, and cannot be brought back or revived in any way (while in combat).
 * The pokemon’s regular ability is replaced with a unique augmentation. (Hints/details of these can be discovered by talking to NPCs/beating Consortium mooks and learning intel from them)
 * Machamp: Augmented Guts: Boosts all of Machamp’s stats by one step if afflicted with a status condition.
 * Vileplume: Augmented Chlorophyll: When entering the arena, the weather changes to Sunshine, raising Vileplume’s Attack and Speed by one step and restoring a small amount of HP while in sunshine.
 * Exploud: Augmented Soundproof: Sound-based attacks heal it and raise its Attack and Special Attack by one step. Additionally, Exploud ignores stat buffs on his enemies and stat debuffs on himself.
 * Alakazam: Augmented Synchronize: Copies any stat buffs the enemy Pokemon gain, and inflict status effects received onto all enemy Pokemon.
 * Armored Mewtwo: Augmented Pressure: Attacks cost 2 PP to use. Additionally, using the same attack twice in a row consumes all PP.
 * Dragonite: Augmented Inner Focus: Dragonite can always act, regardless of status, and its attacks cannot be blocked or reflected in any way.
 * Lunala: Augmented Shadow Shield: At 100%, 75%, and 50%, Lunala can only be damaged by attacks of 130 power or higher. Once the threshold is passed, Lunala can be damaged normally.

Encounter with Director Kavan strong-arming another institution.

Encounter with Agent Walkrin in the field capturing new Pokemon to test on. Brief battle. Perhaps Amakir instigates this one, and Sau learns about the Situation(tm) from her.

Base at the bottom of the Lake of Rage, guarded by a rampaging Augmented Milotic.
 * Total Breakdown: Augmented attack. Increases own Attack, Special Attack, and Speed by two steps, decreases Defense and Special Defense by two steps.
 * Augmented Marvel Scale: Augmented ability. Status effects that Milotic is inflicted with are immediately erased, raising its Defense and Special Defense by one level, and restoring 10% of its maximum HP.

Showdown at the Consortium base of operations on Whirl Islands:

They’re augmenting a Lugia, cries and such can be heard throughout the building as you go through it

Beat Kavan, beat Marduk, in the process Lugia’s constraints are freed and it escapes

Starts rampaging all over Johto, Sau and Amakir (and others) race off to catch up with it

Cue several scenes in cities where gym leaders are helping people/fighting off wild flying/water pokemon who are riled up from Lugia’s rampage, several battles can take place here

Catch up with Lugia at important location

Amakir gets KO’d, Sau faces Lugia, eventually fight until defeat, which calms it down

But at that moment, Levi and a whole cohort of Consortium new mooks show up

But Lugia whisks you away to Alola, Levi is seen capturing Amakir

Alola: Levi intervention in legendary Pokemon questline, possible fight against Augmented Amakir, showdown with his Darkrai and Augmented Lunala, likely resulting in Lunala throwing Levi into a portal to Ultimate Space or something equally fitting.

Events
Goldenrod Department Store  ''A gigantic line of people wraps around the Goldenrod Department store, with scattered pokemon to and fro, the bustle almost deafening. Every so often, a police officer appears around a corner, surveying the group, before disappearing again. Sau waves one down.''


 * Sau: What’s going on?
 * Officer Wendy: Chaos. Total madness. What does it look like?
 * Sau: I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people in my life.
 * Officer Wendy: The Consortium really brings ‘em out. Nice change of pace, so far as I’m concerned. You have any idea just how little crime happens in Goldenrod Freakin’ City? A burglar stole a potion from an outdoor stall and the whole precinct lit up like a Christmas tree for months.
 * Sau: I, uh-
 * Officer Wendy: He wasn’t even from this town. We have to import our hoodlums!
 * Sau: What’s this Consortium?

Their discussion is interrupted by the voice of a girl blaring on a megaphone.


 * Loud Girl: CAP supports illegal pokemon testing! By buying their products, you support pokemon testing! Malcaster said so himself, on national television! You there, sir! See here in this pamphlet the crimes against pokemon-kind the Consortium has fessed up to!
 * Man in Crowd: Go away!
 * Loud Girl: I will not go away until there is Justice!
 * Woman in Crowd: Turn that damn thing off!

The loud girl notices Sau and the officer, and hastily approaches.


 * Loud Girl: Officer, do something! These people are supporting an evil company! Stand up with me for Justice!
 * Officer Wendy: Get this thing outta my face.

The loud girl aims her megaphone directly at Officer Wendy’s face.


 * Loud Girl: Not until there is Justice!

The officer pushes the megaphone aside.


 * Officer Wendy: Are you really challenging a cop? Not that I want to beat up a young girl, but you seem spunky. It might be fun.
 * Sau: How on earth are you a police officer!?
 * Loud Girl: Hey you, kid! Take a look at all this!

''The loud girl shoves a hastily folded pamphlet into Sau’s hands. The title, “CAPital Punishment!”, appears to have been written in pen. He begins flipping through it.''


 * Sau: “The Consortium for the Advancement of Pokemon”? I think I heard about them on TV once. They were a Johto-based company that’s going international now.
 * Officer Wendy: They make stuff that’s supposed to help out pokemon and their trainers. Medicines, berries, tools to help train your pokemon, even tools you can teach your pokemon to use. Got my sister a fireproof punching bag for her Blaziken last year for her birthday. Was supposed to release some sorta pheromone when it was punched that made ‘em want to punch more. Her chicken can’t get enough of the damn thing.
 * Loud Girl: How do you think they got that pheromone? How do you think they tested it?
 * Sau: I mean, if you’re making products for pokemon, it makes sense to test them on pokemon…
 * Loud Girl: It’s not right! Who knows what other kinds of tests they’re performing on those poor creatures?
 * Officer Wendy: I’ve thought about fighting pokemon before. Might be fun! I should ask if I can take on her Blaziken sometime.
 * Sau: …

''Sau sidles away from the two rambling women and surveys the crowd again. Being around so many people made Sau feel like shriveling up into a raisin. He quickly retreated to a side street and started to make his way back to town center.''


 * Sau: Dang. I heard they had hyper potions on sale here, but… gonna have to make do with berries for now. It’s more natural, anyway.

He glances down at the pamphlet again.

The Man in White  ''Sau rests under a tree. The day has been hot and muggy, and the road rough. From seemingly nowhere, a man dressed in a sharp white trench coat appears.''
 * Sau: Not that there’s anything wrong with artificial, I guess.


 * Man in white: Why do people still work?
 * Sau: Huh?
 * Man in white: Pokemon sit at the perfect midpoint of sentience. They are wise enough to be trained, to communicate their needs, yet the vast majority of them enjoy performing labor, more so if it’s in servitude to a human “master”. A concept that humans find revolting and pokemon find exonerating. It’s a little too perfect, don’t you think?
 * Sau: …
 * Man in white: So why haven’t we simply turned over all our labors to our loyal subjects and lived out our dreams unbound to the needs of society?

Sau blinks.


 * Man in white: Never mind. Good day.
 * Sau: Well-
 * Man in white: Hm? Speak up.
 * Sau: ...I mean, pokemon can’t do everything people can. Designing complex structures, coding computers-
 * Man in white: Nonsense. I trained a Reuniclus that coded a security system for an entire company. To this day, it hasn’t been breached.
 * Sau: What…?
 * Man in white: Train them to capacity, automate the rest. Your argument does not hold. Still, it was a good attempt.
 * Sau: ...What about human ingenuity?

''Sau pauses, waiting for a response, but the man in white just stares attentively. Sau continues.''


 * Sau: Even if pokemon really can do everything people can, you still need people to tell them what to do, right? Society won’t move forward without new ideas. Things won’t get better.

The man in white nods approvingly.


 * Man in white: Well done. Wouldn’t have expected that out of a traveling teenager.
 * Sau: Who are you, anyway?
 * Man in white: I’d like to show you something.

The man in white taps his wristwatch, and in a familiar flash of red light, as if emerging from a pokeball, the watch manifests into a Magnemite.


 * Magnemite: The time is fifteen forty-five. You have two appointments this evening, sir. Would you like this unit to call for a company Braviary to pick you up? I recommend leaving early, as a thunderstorm is headed this way from the north in nine minutes.
 * Man in white: You don’t get that from evolution or natural selection. That’s not possible without human ingenuity. You’re absolutely right. And yes, I’ll take that Braviary.
 * Magnemite: En route.
 * Sau: Hey, that’s just like-

Sau clicks open a pokeball off his waistbelt.


 * Sau’s Magnemite: Greetings. This units would like to know why-

Sau’s magnemite suddenly becomes aware of the man in white’s magnemite, and begins buzzing around it curiously.


 * Sau’s Magnemite: New unit detected. Outdated model. Preparing upgrade.
 * Man in white: Well. I see you’re also familiar with Hanji’s work. Color me impressed.

''The two magnemites link magnets, and a current flows between them. The man in white sighs wistfully.''


 * Man in white: She truly was a visionary, I hated having to let her go. I’m glad to see she’s still doing well. Not that she would ever stop. I don’t think she could if she wanted to.
 * Sau: Just who the hell are you?

The magnemites separate.


 * Sau’s Magnemite: Upgrade complete.

''Sau’s magnemite returns to its pokeball. In the distance, a flapping of wings is heard.''


 * Man in white: Levi.

''The gigantic Braviary lands next to Levi, and lowers down. He deftly swing atop its back.''


 * Levi: I’d offer you a job, but you’re a bit young. We will be in touch, though. And thank you for the upgrade. I owe you one.

''Levi flies into the distance, leaving Sau staring at the cloudy sky. Off in the distance, thunder rumbles faintly.''

Union Cave  ''Sau has lost track of how long they have been in Union Cave, or how deep they have roamed. His Magnemite hovers alongside, Sau too embarassed to admit that he called it forth for comfort in this dark, dank place.''


 * Sau: It’s crazy to think there are pokemon who never see the sun. I’m sure that this deep, many of the pokemon here never leave this cave.
 * Magnemite: Scientists estimate between five and fifteen hundred types of pokemon have yet to be discovered due to their presence deep underground, underwater, or in the upper atmosphere beyond our capabilities of currently exploring.
 * Sau: Wouldn’t that be cool, to discover a new pokemon deep in a cave? If you discover a new pokemon, do you get to name it?
 * Magnemite: If a newly discovered pokemon is unable to appropriately articulate a name, first naming rights go to the person credited with the discovery. However, a national board may reject the proposition, in which case it is named on majority-
 * Sau: What’s that?

''Sau points to a glimmering object in the ceiling above them. Magnemite approaches it.''


 * Magnemite: It appears to be a metal bolt. Man-made.

''Magnemite aims one of its magnets towards it, the nail popping out of the wall and clanging against the outstretched magnet. Without warning, a gush of goopy white web sprays out of the hole, covering Magnemite, who slumps to the floor under the weight of the mass.''


 * Magnemite: This unit would seem to be- bzzt -immobilized.
 * Sau: Magnemite!
 * ???: Hold it right there!

From the shadows, a dark-clad figure sprints up behind Sau.


 * Grunt: That one’s mine! I caught it!
 * Sau: What!? No!
 * Grunt: Get away from it, you brat! That magnemite’s mine! I caught it fair and square!
 * Sau: What the hell are you talking about!?
 * Grunt: What, you want it!? Too bad!

''The figure throws what looks like a pokeball at Sau. He raises his hands to block it, but before it hits, it explodes into a mass of the same white web that trapped Magnemite. Sau hits the ground, writhing under the surprising weight of the goop as it slowly solidifies, tightening around his arms and legs.''


 * Sau: What are you doing…!?

''The figure walks past Sau, kicking him in the side of the head as he does so. Sau recoils, stunned, but still conscious. He cranes his neck back as far as he can, and sees the figure out of the corner of his eye pull out a silver box, the details of which he can’t make out. A purple light, not unlike that of a pokeball, shoots towards Magnemite.''


 * Magnemite: This unit does not wish-

''In a flash of purple light, the Magnemite is absorbed into the box. The grunt chuckles.''


 * Grunt: Hah. Goddamn, what a catch. She’ll like this one.
 * Sau: Give him back!
 * Grunt: Uh, no. Bye!

''The grunt runs down the cavern, out of sight. Sau pulls with all his strength, but the net is unmoving. His breathing strained from the pressure and exertion, and his head still spinning, he slumps down into a dazed sleep.''


 * ???: Gance, fire punch!

''Sau is awakened by a sudden blast of heat. He jumps up, and finds to his delayed surprise that he is able to do so. In the presence of the fire that surrounds him, the web has been reduced to dough. He frantically brushes off the molten remains, his sudden panic making him ignore the massive pain in his head.''


 * ???: You okay?

''Sau looks up, and the weight of his head overtakes him. He slumps to the ground, catching himself.''


 * Sau: Ow…
 * ???: Here, chew on this.

''Sau automatically takes the granola bar placed in his hand. He looks up at the girl next to him, and memory begins trickling back in.''


 * Sau: Oh, hey… you’re that loud… pamphlet girl from Goldenrod.
 * ???: Yep! Loud pamphlet girl. Name’s Amakir.
 * Sau: Thanks. I’m Sau.

''Sau stares at the granola bar in his hand, still trying to catch his breath. Nearby, a Raboot shoots embers at scraps of web strewn about the cave floor.''


 * Amakir: You’re supposed to eat it, you know.
 * Sau: I think… I think you might have just saved my life.
 * Amakir: Nah. This stuff deteriorates quickly. They just use it to trap pokemon. Crazy that they’d use it on a person. And a kid, too! Their evil knows no bounds!
 * Sau: They? Wait… Magnemite!
 * Amakir: Eh?
 * Sau: That guy took my Magnemite!
 * Amakir: Then let’s get ‘em back!

''Amakir helps Sau up to his feet, brushing off the last few globs of web. He wobbles for a second, then stabilizes.''


 * Sau: Thanks.
 * Amakir: Thank Gance too!

''She gestures to the Raboot, who has thoroughly incinerated the remaining web. At the mention of his name, he glances back, then idly looks the wall up and down, like a teenager feigning disinterest.''


 * Sau: Uh, thank you, Gance.

''Gance flaps his ears nonchalantly. Sau notices he is wearing a custom headband with a symbol he doesn’t recognize.''


 * Amakir: Okay. Which way did they go?

''As the trio descends into the caverns, the faint sound of running water can be heard. Without warning, a loud grunt erupts from a nearby alcove. The three run towards it to find the giant form of a Golem buried in a veritable mountain of goop. Its huge, violent movements are not having any effect on the web.''


 * Amakir: Gance!

''The Raboot starts spraying tendrils of flame over the base of the web, and gradually the Golem works itself free. With a roaring cry, it glares at Gance, and the two lock eyes for a moment before it turns and rolls down a passage, out of sight.''


 * ???: Hey! What the hell!?

Behind them, two more dark figures run up, a tall woman and a beefy man.


 * Man: What do you think you’re doing with our pokemon!?


 * Amakir: Your pokemon?


 * Woman: We’re doing important research on the pokemon that inhabit the deepest levels of this cave. You kids are getting in our way!


 * Sau: You took my Magnemite!


 * Woman: I don’t know what you’re talking about. Leave this place at once.


 * Man: If you lost your precious pokemon, that’s your problem, not ours.


 * Amakir: We’re not going anywhere! Sau, I’ll get the big fat one.


 * Man: Oh, you kids are really in for it!

Battle: Defeat Mysterious Grunt! Pokemon: Golbat, Alolan Graveler


 * Man: Goddamnit! What the hell!? Who are these kids!?


 * Woman: Fall back. We need to let Walkrin know about this.

The two retreat down a side passage, pushing past a mound of rocks that had gone unnoticed before.


 * Amakir: Kind of them to show us the way. Let’s go!

''The trio proceed down the passageway, passing several side alcoves with various goods stashed away within. Gance hops down one, grabbing a particularly shiny pokeball, until Amakir whistles to him to come back.''


 * Amakir: You hear that?
 * Sau: The underground river?
 * Amakir: No. Listen.

''The three stop, and Sau goes quiet. Echoing faintly from the stone around them, a faint wailing noise can be heard. Its details can’t be made out.''


 * Sau: That sounds like a pokemon.
 * Amakir: Not a pokemon. Lots of pokemon. We’re getting close.
 * Sau: Did they really capture that many?
 * Amakir: Whatever they did, we need to be ready.

''The passageway opens to a huge, broad alcove bustling with people, at least ten to fifteen figures dressed similarly to their assailants. Towards the back, a veritable mountain of pokemon rests - Gravelers, Golems, Zubats, Corsolas, and other cave-dwellers all piled on top of each other, wailing and moaning, wrapped in a deluge of white webbing. On the ground next to them, one of the grunts types furiously on a computer module. Towards the back, a particularly short woman in a more ornate, black and red vested uniform appears to be commanding the masses. The three immediately hide against a wall.''


 * Grunt: Got a real good one, boss. Check it out. Can barely stay inside the thing.
 * Leader: Very good, very good. Get it over there with the rest.

''The grunt before the leader pulls out a small, rapidly vibrating silver cube. He throws it into the mass of pokemon and webbing, and Sau’s Magnemite emerges. It tries to make a break for it, but the webbing snares it back in, and it buzzes resolutely in defeat.''


 * Sau: Magnemite!
 * Amakir: Don’t worry, I’ve got this!

''Amakir rummages in her pack and pulls out a small horn-looking device. With the press of a button, it expands to the full megaphone that Sau recognized from Goldenrod City. Without warning, Amakir marches straight into the center of the alcove.''


 * Amakir: Let these pokemon go at once, Consortium scum!

''Total silence overtakes the room as all eyes fall on Amakir. Next to Sau, Gance shakes his head in exasperation.''


 * Man: That’s her! That’s the girl what attacked us up top!
 * Amakir: You are illegally and unethically attacking and detaining pokemon in their natural habitat! Let them go at once and I will not involve the police!

''A pause. Then the room bursts into laughter.''


 * Amakir: I’m being serious!

The miniscule, red-vested woman in charge approaches Amakir.


 * Leader: Put that down, dearie. You’ve blown this way out of proportion!
 * Amakir: I will not put this down until there is Justice!
 * Leader: You don’t need to worry about that here, no, no. We’re doing valuable research for the Consortium!
 * Amakir: Stealing pokemon is not research!
 * Leader: Hoo boy, this one is gonna be a doozy. Calm yourself, dear. Let me explain what we’re doing.

''The woman takes a step back. Amakir lowers her megaphone halfway, awkwardly holding it in front of her chest.''


 * Leader: My name is Research Advisor Walkrin. I work with the Consortium for the Advancement of Pokemon, in their field research division. We’re currently developing a gamut of drugs that would help more reclusive pokemon better acclimate to more social situations, including training with humans and interacting with other pokemon. We’re working with these cave-dwelling pokemon because-
 * Amakir: I knew it! You are testing on pokemon!
 * Sau: Is she for real?

Gance gives a resigned nod.


 * Walkrin: Of course we’re testing on pokemon. The drugs are for pokemon! We can do all we can to make it safe in the labs and in animal studies, but it’s not ethical for us to sell a drug intended for pokemon that was never tested on pokemon in the first place! The research boards would never allow it, no, no. So we bring big batches of wild pokemon in - you see Kelvin over there working on our portable PC drive, digitizing these pokemon to bring back to the lab - where we perform minimally invasive testing of our drugs on them. We have created artificial habitats at our research centers so the pokemon can feel more at home during their brief stay with us. Then, after the testing is complete, we release them right back into the wild, while tagging some of them for possible future tracking. If, in our testing, we determine that some would be better suited for staying with us, due to health reasons or whatnot, then we keep them and perform all the necessary checks as requried by our review board.
 * Amakir: Then why are they all in a pile over there!? That doesn’t look ethical!
 * Walkrin: I assure you, dear, it’s perfectly fine. You see, capturing a large amount of wild pokemon is no easy feat. Pokeballs are expensive, and can have domesticating effects on the minds of the pokemon - that’s why it’s easier to train a pokemon once they’ve been caught once. We want to work with the pokemon in as close to their natural state as we can. So we developed this trapping web, and these cubes.

Walkrin pulls out one of the bulky silver cubes from earlier.


 * Walkrin: A Poke-Cube, developed by yours truly, yes. It uses solid state digitization technology to keep the pokemon inside untouched. This does mean that they are much less likely to want to stay inside, though - hence the extra bulk. These are ultimately only for short-term use, though, just long enough to bring back to our holding area here, where they get digitized into a solid state hard drive for transport back to our labs. The web can be made very cheapy, is incredibly strong, dissolves on its own with time - it’s biodegradable! - and tires out the pokemon, so they can rest on the way back. I assure you, no abusive or inhuman treatment happens here, no, no.
 * Magnemite: False.

All attention turns to the Magnemite embedded in web, so deep only its magnets are visible.


 * Grunt: Did that Magnemite just talk?
 * Magnemite: The Poke-Cube is incredibly painful. And the people here have been talking about the tests the Consortium intends to perform with a disturbing amount of glee. It is something that this unit does not wish to be subjected to.
 * Walkrin: I- I don’t believe it!
 * Magnemite: The collected evidence suggests that this human researcher is engaging in the tactic known as “bullshitting”.
 * Walkrin: Now listen here, this is all some sort of setup. A talking Magnemite? Truly? You think a marvel of pokemon engineering like that would just wander in here?
 * Amakir: The jig is up! I’m turning you all in!

The crowd of grunts form a circle around Amakir, closing in on her.


 * Grunt: Is that what you’re gonna do?
 * Female Grunt: I tried to warn you earlier. Shoulda just run, but it’s a bit too late for that now.
 * Walkrin: Yes, yes, you all have your fun, take care of her. I have important work to finish doing, yes.

''The grunts all unclip pokeballs from their waistbands. Sau starts to panic.''


 * Sau: Crap! What should I do? I- Gance?

''Gance is gone. Sau peeks into the room, and sees the Raboot sneaking alongside the wall. One of the Grunts looks up.''


 * Grunt: Hey, what’s that-

''Gance breaks into a sprint towards the webbed mass of pokemon. His fist ignites for a Fire Punch, but he keeps running, dragging it along the base of the web. In moments, the web starts melting, and the weight of the collected pokemon all collapse out at once.''


 * Grunt: Shit!

''Chaos ensues. The captured pokemon fly into a rampage while the grunts scatter, summoning pokemon of their own to try and defend themselves. Sau runs headlong into the chaos, already having lost track of Amakir.''


 * Sau: Magnemite? Magnemite!

Behind him, a grunt raises a giant black bag to capture him, but yelps in shock as a lightning bolt arcs over Sau’s head, lighting the grunt up in a sparkling display before collapsing to the ground.


 * Sau: Magnemite!
 * Magnemite: This unit thinks leaving is in our best- hgkbzzzzt-

A purple light exudes from in front of them, encapsulating Magnemite.


 * Magnemite: No- this unit does not wish to return-

The magnemite dissolves into purple data, melting into a silver cube held by Walkrin.


 * Walkrin: Oh my, yes yes. This one is coming with me. What a specimen. What a specimen, indeed.
 * Sau: Give him back!
 * Walkrin: Oh, is he yours, little boy? I’m sorry, but the potential for Science we can do to him is-
 * Sau: I said give him back!

Battle: Defeat Consortium Researcher Walkrin! Pokemon: Sableye, Togetic, Bewear


 * Amakir: Sau!
 * Walkrin: Oh my, you’re quite good, yes.
 * Amakir: Sau! We need to get out of here! They’re all going on a rampage, it’s getting dangerous!
 * Sau: Give me back my Magnemite!
 * Walkrin: I told you, I can’t give this up-

''From the chaos, Gance emerges, delivering a punch to Walkrin that sends her flying. The silver cube tumbles out of her hand, bursting open in a flash of purple light.''


 * Magnemite: bzzzzzt… bzz…
 * Sau: Magnemite!
 * Magnemite: This unit does not wish to be subjected to that again.
 * Amakir: This way, c’mon!

''The next several minutes are a blur as the four of them race through the cave, escaping the rampaging madness that has spread throughout. Outside, the sun is shining, and a light breeze wafts past, in total opposition to the chaos within. Both Sau and Amakir collapse to the ground.''


 * Amakir: Holy crap.
 * Sau: …
 * Amakir: You okay?
 * Sau: Yeah.

''The two lay there a while, catching their breath. Gance sits down, grooming his claws.''


 * Magnemite: This unit would like to question the speed at which it took to rescue-
 * Amakir: We were a bit busy, all right?
 * Sau: Sorry.
 * Magnemite: ...This unit would also like to thank you.
 * Sau: ...Yeah. Of course, buddy.
 * Magnemite: If the roles were reversed, this unit would like to think that it would move just as expediently in rescuing yourself.
 * Sau: Thanks… wait, weren’t you just complaining I was too slow?

By means of response, Magnemite returns to his pokeball.


 * Amakir: You got a special one all right.
 * Sau: You know, before this, he was a sheepdog on my family farm.
 * Amakir: A what!?

Amakir breaks into laughter, pulling her up into a seated position.


 * Amakir: That might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.
 * Sau: He was really good at it, too.

The three watch the sky, still trying to pull themselves out from under the veil of absurdity.


 * Amakir: Was right about the Consortium being evil, though.
 * Sau: Yep. I should probably go back home.
 * Amakir: What?
 * Sau: They want us now. I don’t think it’s really safe for us to be roaming out and about, even if we stick together.
 * Amakir: Really? After all you’ve seen, you’re just gonna stop there?
 * Sau: What can we do? We’re kids. They’re a huge company.
 * Amakir: Yeah, but they’re a huge evil company! Who’s gonna stop them, if not us?
 * Sau: Us?

Amakir pauses, then stands up


 * Amakir: ...Right.
 * Sau: Huh?
 * Amakir: You’re right. You should go back home. It’s too dangerous for you.
 * Sau: Where did this-
 * Amakir: I just got in too far over my head again, like my dad always said. We- I probably can’t do anything about a big company like that.

''Amakir starts walking away. Sau scrambles to his feet.''


 * Sau: Wait!
 * Amakir: Thanks for the adventure, kid. It was fun, I guess.

''Gance glances back at Sau before joining his master down the road. Sau watches as they walk down the path, out of view, wanting to catch up to her, trying to think of what words he could say, but thinks of nothing.''

Steel Tower Pt.1  Sau makes final preparations to challenge the Ecruteak Gym, when he hears a voice behind him.


 * Sonthi: Sau!

''Sonthi jogs towards Sau. His outfit is wholly unchanged from when Sau first met him at the port, perfectly pristine, its only addition a familiar pair of sunglasses and an almost comically wide brimmed straw hat.''


 * Sonthi: I must thank you. Your disguise has served me well. Nobody has paid me any heed.
 * Sau: I’m pretty sure that’s because everyone thinks you’re nuts. What is that hat?
 * Sonthi: Nuts? I think it looks quite fitting. Somdej said as such.
 * Sau: It… really doesn’t.

''An awkward moment passes between the two. Sonthi slowly removes his hat, holding it to his chest somewhat self-consciously.''


 * Sau: The, uh, sunglasses look good though.
 * Sonthi: Thanks.
 * Sau: I mean, you might as well keep the hat on. It’s worked well enough so far. How did you get back to Ecruteak this quickly? Were the Gyms very easy for you?
 * Sonthi: Oh, well, of course. But like you said, Azalea’s Gym is closed until further notice. We found out in Violet, so I just returned to Goldenrod and skipped the journey south. There was news about Union Cave being unsafe as well.
 * Sau: Sounds like Azalea’s almost completely closed off, then.
 * Sonthi: I don’t think there was much there anyway, from what I’ve heard. In any case, it expedites the Gym Circuit, so I’m not complaining.
 * Sau: Hm...
 * Sonthi: Can we compare notes on the Ecruteak Gym? If that’s legal?
 * Sau: That would require me to have beaten it.
 * Sonthi: So you lost?
 * Sau: ...No, I just haven’t tried it yet.
 * Sonthi: Oh. Yes, of course.

Sonthi slowly puts the hat back on.


 * Sau: You wanna watch? I was heading there anyway.
 * Sonthi: Yes. Certainly. Go ahead. Lead the way.
 * Sau: Are you sure you know what you’re doing?
 * Sonthi: What do you mean?
 * Sau: ...Never mind.

''The two approach the walled gardens. Sonthi pauses for a moment and smells the air.''


 * Sonthi: There is a labyrinthine garden in my father’s palace. Walking in it, being enrobed in its scents, its sights… I had not thought to find something so similar here.
 * Sau: You mean the smell? It is pretty nice-
 * ???: I told you, no. Now git.
 * Sau & Sonthi: ?!

''Their attention turns to two figures at the wooden gate that guards the garden’s entrance. From inside, a tall, curvaceous female dominates a short, stooping figure in a black coat. The small figure twitches and shifts erratically.''


 * Sonthi: Is that the gym leader, Nell?

The smaller figure appears to bow over in a pleading position.


 * ???: Just one berry. For science! Consider it a donation to the greater good, yes yes.
 * Sau: Wait, that’s-
 * Nell: I’m not running a goddamn charity, I’m running a gym. And the ‘greater good’ is bullshit. Invented by the rich to swindle the poor. Now get off my property.
 * Walkrin: It’s just one sample! It could have countless benefits for the public! Think of the charity!
 * Nell: On second thought, you’re right. I should be charitable. I think I’ll give it all up.
 * Walkrin: Really!? Oh, that’s excellent, yes yes-
 * Nell: To the next kid who beats me.
 * Walkrin: ...What?
 * Nell: I’ll give ‘em the whole plant. Berries, leaves, roots, I’ll throw in a pot for free. Red-eye berry will be the sole property of the next victor of this gym. Now, I don’t suppose you’re on the circuit?
 * Walkrin: The-!? How dare you! I am no frolicking trainer! I am a researcher of status! Of standing, within the Consortium! Now hand over that red-eye!
 * Nell: Where’s your badges, hun?
 * Walkrin: I-

''The door slams in Walkrin’s face. At once, her twitching freezes, then she whines in aggravation.''


 * Walkrin: I don’t believe it! No respect, no, not at all, none. I'll get the better of you yet, yes, yes...

''Researcher Walkrin stomps away, muttering to herself. Sau notices a black, singed bruise on her left temple. ''
 * Sonthi: Are you okay? You turned a little bit pale for a moment, Sau.
 * Sau: It’s nothing. Let’s go.

Steel Tower Pt.2  As Sau's run through of the Ecruteak Gym concludes:


 * Sau: Yeah, that sounds more accurate!
 * Sonthi: A terrifying battle to watch. The way you held off her repeated attacks was very impressive.
 * Nell: Who’s this?
 * Sau: You… didn’t notice the other person watching us?
 * Nell: Guess not. Don’t mind, though. I’m guessing you’re going through the circuit too? Doesn’t matter if you know I cheat or not.
 * Sonthi: You had mentioned giving something called ‘red-eye’ to the next kid who defeated you?
 * Nell: ...Well. You heard that, huh?
 * Sau: That woman you were talking to. How do you know her?
 * Nell: I’ve seen her marching around town every so often with her lackeys. She works with the Steel Tower, but I’ve no idea what she actually does there.
 * Sau: She’s, um… she’s a bad person.
 * Nell: You think I don’t know that? Pretty sure decent people don’t constantly double talk and demand donations in the name of the ‘greater good.’
 * Sonthi: What did she want?
 * Nell: Some berry Chime grows. Hey, Chime?

A lithe man with a beautiful floral sash emerges like a phantom from the nearby gardens.


 * Chime: What is it, Nell? Oh, hello again Sau, Sonthi. Congratulations on your victory. I knew you had it in you.
 * Sau: Really? Because you didn’t sound too supportive when I beat you.
 * Chime: It’s part of the gym trainer persona. Did you know we actually get suggested lines to say to trainers to disarm them? Our whole point is to scare people off. Not like Nell needs help scaring people away.
 * Nell: Watch it. Anyway, you still got that red-eye berry plant?
 * Chime: Of course. Let me show you.

''The four wade through the grasses of the gardens, across myriad paths only Chime truly knows. Sau marvels at how magnificent and complex a garden can fit in such a small space.''


 * Chime: Red-eye is a special cross-breed of berry my family developed. It’s supposed to enhance psychic-type moves. My grandmother said it made her see the world in red and unveiled the true nature of things through her third eye, hence the name.
 * Sonthi: Ominous.
 * Nell: His whole family is kinda-
 * Chime: It’s gone.
 * Sau: What?
 * Nell: What the hell?
 * Chime: It’s gone. The plant is gone.

''Chime gestures to a small square of dirt which has been entirely uprooted. Small branches and strands of shredded roots litter the dirt surrounding the plot.''


 * Sonthi: Someone stole it?
 * Nell & Chime: Well, duh.
 * Sau: Look!

''A short ways away, a blur of light glimmers over the garden wall, then drops below its edge, vanishing. A flash of red is seen.''


 * Nell: For gods’ sake.
 * Chime: Come.

''The four follow Chime wordlessly through the garden, finding themselves at a side gate. Chime kicks the thing open in a single, deft motion, its panels clanging and splintering against their metal frame.''


 * Sau: Do you see it?
 * Nell: What are we even looking for?
 * Sonthi: I saw it too. It looked like a ghost. It glistened for a moment, then it was gone.
 * Chime: The fairies…
 * Sau: Huh?
 * Sonthi: Over there!

''The four look where the prince points. A glint flashes across the front of the Steel Tower, then a flash of red slips through the front door, quickly obscured by a small group of people entering.''


 * Sau: It’s in the Tower.
 * Nell: Oh, come ON-
 * Chime: We follow it. That plant is like a child to me.
 * Sau: Your family made a rare berry and only kept one plot of it for entire generations?
 * Chime: Of course not. I have vats of red-eye and its juice frozen downstairs. I just really liked that particular one.
 * Sau: Okay...
 * Nell: I’m not going in there.
 * Chime: Not this again…
 * Nell: Listen. Those Consortium mooks give me the creeps. All that ‘greater good’ garbage.
 * Sonthi: What is wrong with promoting the greater good? I find it a refreshing change from the selfish motivations of other companies and stores I have run across in this nation.
 * Nell: That’s just it. The greater good is THEIR good. It’s all selfish.
 * Sonthi: That seems like quite a logical leap to make?
 * Chime: It’s getting away! Come on!
 * Nell: I’m going back to the garden.
 * Chime: But-
 * Nell: Listen. We can’t just leave the gym or the garden wide open and untended. We have responsibilities as gym operators now. I’d tell you to come back too, but I know that’s not going to happen.

''The two lock eyes, and an entire conversation seems to pass between their gaze. Then, Chime nods resignedly, and starts wordlessly towards the Tower. Nell pivots around and walks back to the gardens.''


 * Sau: Uh…
 * Sonthi: Let’s go with Chime to the tower. I have wanted to see it anyway. I have heard it has a fascinating history.
 * Sau: He might need help, too.

Sau and Sonthi catch up with Chime, and the three burst into the Steel Tower, colliding head-on with a crowd of people.


 * Ambling Pedestrian: Oh!
 * Disgruntled Man: Watch where you’re going!
 * Sau: Sorry…
 * Chime: Do you see it?
 * Collected Woman: Shush! You’re interrupting the speech!
 * Sonthi: Speech?

''The three peer through the crowd to see the reason for their assembly: a giant, rotund man stands in the center, arms splayed wide in welcome, his sky blue suit threatening to burst at the seams given the slightest twitch of his sausage-like arms. The crowd seems rapt on his every word.''


 * Speaker: ...with funds from our very own Consortium for the Advancement of Pokemon! They, and they alone, saw the potential for learning and growth that this tower could be, while honoring its rich cultural history! And so they poured their heart and soul into rebuilding this relic, transforming it from the old, ruinous Burned Tower to the magnificent Steel Tower you see today!

His last line is emphasized with a flourish of his arms upward, and is followed by rapturous applause.


 * Sau: I can’t see anything.
 * Sonthi: Interesting. I want to hear more about thi-
 * Chime: There! Over there, by those silver doors in the back!
 * Loud Girl: Excuse me, excuse me! Hey! Malcaster!

Grumbling is heard near to the three of them as a girl pushes her way through the crowd to the front.


 * Amakir: Hey! Isn’t it insensitive to say you rebuilt a relic into something new? This place had cultural history, and you just marched right over it!
 * Disgruntled Man: Who is this girl?
 * Collected Woman: Was she even paying attention?
 * Sau: Oh no…
 * Speaker Malcaster: Er- Transformation requires change, young miss! We are not ‘walking all over’ the cultural history of the Burned Tower, we are honoring its memory, and creating something new from it! Why, our cultural centers have already brought education to over five thousand students and travelers, young and old! Would you have seen that from the ruined, decrepit Burned Tower? I don’t think so!

''This is met with further applause from the crowd. Amakir folds her arms defiantly. ''
 * Amakir: Don’t you ‘young miss’ me! And if you knew anything about the cultural history of the place, you would know it was the Brass Tower before the fire a hundred and sixty years ago that-
 * Speaker Malcaster: Yes, yes, of course - all things you can learn, and more, from our educational seminars about the cultural history of Johto’s towers, given every Wednesday and Saturday evenings! You can speak to any one of our lovely associates over at the counter behind you to sign up, or try any other number of seminars and interactive classes!
 * Amakir: It’s not education, it’s re-education! You’re just using this as a giant front to push the corrupted values of the Consortium on people!
 * Collected Woman: Geez, what is her problem?

Malcaster mutters something into his watch while Amakir protests further, then looks up with his former brilliant grin.


 * Speaker Malcaster: And with that, our cultural tour of Ecruteak comes to a close - but don’t let your day of learning end there! Please, feel free to explore the exhibits on the first and second floors of the Tower, have some lunch on our cafe located on the third floor, and ask one of our lovely associates about ways you can get involved with the cultural history and heritage of Ecruteak yourself!

''The immaculately dressed desk workers stand up and wave, to further applause from the crowd. Malcaster gives a final nod, followed by a toothy grin and a thumbs-up - an apparently recognizable gesture, as the crowd laughs and their applause heightens.''


 * Amakir: Hey! I’m not done!
 * Speaker Malcaster: Okay, okay, good bye everyone!

''Malcaster offers a final friendly wave, then shuffles off towards the back halls. The glimmer dodges out of the way just in time for him to charge through, filling the hall with his girth. He swings the door closed behind him and makes hastily through the halls, but Amakir catches the door with her foot and follows.''


 * Speaker Malcaster: Security? Can someone deal with this kid?
 * Amakir: Get back here and answer for your crimes!

''The glimmer swings around the door, which hangs open by a crack. The crowd disperses, apparently pleased with the Speaker’s performance, and peruses the foyer of the Tower. At last, the three of them have a full view of the interior of the Steel Tower: its foyer a beautiful silver room with several desks set up, and many branching hallways to classrooms and presentation meeting rooms, the empty space filled with placards describing the history of Ecruteak City, the two Towers, or the Consortium, and the remaining space filled with various artistic depictions of natural scenes from the southerly Wild Lands. Several desks to the side, each adorned with small vases of flowers, have sharply-dressed agents - whom Sau notices are all women - offering brochures, tours, and signing people up for seminars and classes. Towards the middle, two tall statues - one of Lugia, and one of Ho-oh - dominate the space, which many visitors are posing next to and taking pictures. Towards the sides of the rooms, two spiral staircases lead up to the second floor.''


 * Sonthi: A little bit crowded. One does not feel they have room to breathe here, to really appreciate the space. It is not bad, though.
 * Sau: Should we-?

''Sau notices Chime has already snuck through the door to the back halls. Sonthi steps away, and begins poring over an oil painting depicting a robed figure laying prostrate before an emerald green Beedrill.''


 * Sau: ...Never mind.

''Sau approaches the cracked door, casts a wary glance around, then slides in. The interior of the back halls is notably more stark, myriad footsteps echoing down its naked silver length. Sau starts down it, tiptoeing at first so his steps don’t echo, then at a more normal pace as he realizes he has lost both Amakir and Chime. Before him, their echoes fading out of range, he sees three halls branch before him.''

Upon taking left hallway:

''Sau emerges onto a terrace overlooking a giant, stark white laboratory. Below him, about a dozen workers in white coats march around, aided by various Pokemon hoisting boxes, heating vials, and in one corner of the lab, a pair of Ariados spraying web on a small pile of Pokemon clawing through and trying to escape, to which the staff appears to pay no heed. Every so often, a pair of lab coat wielding workers will walk up and gesture for the Ariadoses to stop, use a Poke-Cube to extract a victim from the pile, then walk away, the spiders returning to their duty. The terrace proceeds around the perimeter of the lab, and Sau notices the red glint coming from the far side of the walkway.''

''Upon approaching it, the player engages a level 35 Johtic Sableye. Upon reaching 50% HP or lower, it will eat a Red-eye Berry and immediately cast Psycho Boost as an automatic critical hit. It will then Escape from battle.''

Upon escape:


 * Sau: What!?

''The Sableye snickers, sweeping its cloak up, returning to nothing more than a glimmer. It then leaps over the edge into the laboratory below and skitters away, unnoticed by the lab workers present. From across the walkway, Chime runs over to you.''


 * Chime: You almost had the bastard! Can’t believe I lost it...
 * Sau: Keep your voice down!
 * Chime: Right. Do you see it?

Both peer over the edge of the balcony.


 * Sau: No.
 * Chime: Damnit. I’m finding a way down there.
 * Sau: Wait-!

Chime runs off, leaving Sau alone on the walkway.

Upon taking right hallway:


 * Consortium Security Officer: Hey! Hold it right there, kid!


 * Consortium Agent: You’re not supposed to be here!

''Double Battle against Consortium Security Officer and Consortium Agent. Pokemon used: Ferrothorn, Johtic Porygon, Steelix, Johtic Porygon''

Upon victory:


 * Consortium Security Officer: Damnit!
 * Consortium Agent: What’s that commotion towards Malcaster’s office?
 * Consortium Security Officer: Outta the way, kid!

The agents violenty push past Sau, running down the hall past his Pokemon.


 * Sau: Okay…

''Sau continues down the corridor. To his right stands a supply office, now vacated. Towards the back stands a computer with an ID card plugged in. As if in response to Sau approaching, the screen comes to life.''


 * Computer Terminal: Confirm fabrication of one (1) industry standard Porygon?
 * Sau: Um… yes?
 * Computer Terminal: Acknowledged. Beginning fabrication and extraction.

''The computer whirrs and lights flash all along its base for several seconds. Sau checks behind him, making sure nobody else is coming. At long last, a ‘ding’ is heard, and a Pokeball deposits from a slot towards the floor.''


 * Computer Terminal: Unit #3741 fabricated. Funds deducted from security department monthly budget. Have a nice day!
 * Sau: Thanks, you too.

''Sau tries to remove the ID card from the terminal, but it appears to require a separate chip to access, and won’t give up its cling to the terminal slot. He reaches down below it and takes the Pokeball.''


 * Sau: Unit 3741, huh…

Sau obtains a Johtic Porygon!

''Upon exiting the room, Sau continues down the hallway. He comes across a barred gate leading into another overlook terrace into a large room, from whence an alien green glow emerges from its depths. He cannot see past the balcony, though, and the door is locked tight, attached to a card reader. He turns around and exits.''

Upon taking center hallway:

After navigating a labyrinth of silver steel halls and offices, the doors of which are shut tight, Sau hears familiar voices up ahead.


 * Malcaster: You’re trespassing on Consortium property! Where the hell is security!?
 * Amakir: Stop running and answer me!
 * Malcaster: There are civil ways to address complaints with the Consortium. This is most definitely not one of them!
 * Amakir: Oh, you wanna talk about civil? How ‘bout you ask those Pokemon you’re testing how civil you’re being in those labs?
 * Malcaster: That’s enough! I’ll take down both of you right here!
 * Amakir: Both?

''Sau realizes Malcaster is staring straight at him. He stiffens upright. Amakir turns, and a flicker of hope flashes across her face, which immediately resumes its aggressive chill.''


 * Amakir: Sau! What are you doing here!?
 * Sau: I don’t really know myself-
 * Malcaster: Why is it so easy for children to invade a private research facility!? This farce ends now!
 * Sau: Research facility?

''Double Battle: Amakir and Sau against Speaker Malcaster. Sau provides one Pokemon, Amakir provides the other. Amakir’s Pokemon act of her volition, and cannot be controlled by the player.'' Speaker Malcaster: Hariyama, Lairon, Loudred, Wailord Amakir: Mawile (Kalira), Morgrem (Rem), Raboot (Gance)

Upon victory:


 * Malcaster: Gyaah! Leave me alone, goddamnit!

Malcaster sidesteps into an office and slams the door, the clicks of several locks heard from inside.


 * Malcaster: Security!? Where the hell are you!? Get these kids out!
 * Amakir: Get back here, you coward!

Amakir pounds on the steel door several times, then notices Sau and slowly drops her hands in self-consciousness.


 * Amakir: So, uh.
 * Sau: Hey.
 * Amakir: Why are you here?
 * Sau: I, uh… well, I just beat the Ecruteak gym, and an invisible Pokemon stole some berries, and, um-
 * Amakir: Never mind, forget I asked.
 * Sau: But I’m not-
 * Amakir: The entrance to the lab is down a floor. I’m finding a way in. Thanks for the help, but you should probably just turn back. It’s gonna get more dangerous, and no doubt security is on the way. You could probably play the innocent tourist card with them. They’re pretty racist, they’ll eat that crap up.
 * Sau: …
 * Amakir: Well, go on! Best case, I’ll uncover something big down here. Worst case, I’ll end up on TV in an orange shirt. Anyway, you probably don’t wanna get involved. Get out while you can.

Amakir continues down the hall, leaving Sau once again at a loss for words.

Upon completing all three routes, and following the center route past Malcaster’s office:

''Sau traverses a yet longer labyrinth of silver halls, taking down several Consortium researchers and security officers along the way. At long last, he reaches a huge lift. Next to it, two security guards lie on the floor, unconscious. An ID card is already plugged into the control terminal. Sau hears footsteps running behind him, filling him with a surge of panic, but calms down when he sees the familiar floral sash approaching him from down the hall.''


 * Chime: There you are! Is that the way down?
 * Sau: Yeah, I think so.
 * Chime: Okay. I’m going down there. I know this is a lot to ask, but… can you help me? I know firsthand that you can handle yourself pretty well.

''Sau glances down towards the waist pocket that holds his phone. He still hasn’t told his mother about the Union Cave incident.''


 * Sau: ...Yeah.
 * Chime: Thanks. Really, thanks. It means a lot. Now, how do we get down- oh? It looks like it’s already unlocked. Did someone just use it?
 * Sau: I think so, yeah.
 * Chime: Well, our luck, I guess! You ready?
 * Sau: Yeah.
 * Chime: Should be easy. Find the bastard, get the berries back, head out.
 * Sau: In the middle of a Consortium laboratory.
 * Chime: Details!

The lift grate clicks closed, and the two descend the silver depths.

Upon arriving, the gate clicks open, and the pair is immediately blinded with a burst of flame.


 * Amakir: Yeah, Gance… Just… do that again, yeah…
 * Gance: Rab…

''The Raboot, beaten and bloodied, collapses to the floor. A Machamp and a Hariyama stand over it menacingly, sadistic grins on their faces. The Hariyama stomp-kicks it over and over, Gance whining with pain on each hit. The Machamp looks up towards Amakir, and she immediately starts backing away.''


 * Amakir: Please… this isn’t how it’s supposed to go…
 * Consortium Researcher: That’s it, Champ. Show ‘er what she gets for bein’ a whiny bitch.
 * Consortium Mook: Yeah, Harry, get ‘im! Beat ‘im to a bloody pulp!
 * Sau: Amakir!

Sau fumbles for a Pokeball off his waist, but is too late - Machamp delivers a two-fisted blow to Amakir, who flies against the wall with a yelp, collapsing to the floor in a heap.


 * Sau: Damnit!

''The Machamp approaches her, raising two more fists to strike, but is met with a Kendo sword to the gut, sending it back several steps. Chime leaps at the Machamp a second time, delivering an elbow to the face that sends it waddling off-balance to the wall behind it.''


 * Chime: I’ve got this one! You take care of those!
 * Consortium Researcher: What the hell!? Who are you!?
 * Consortium Mook: What kinda lunatic fights a Pokemon himself!?
 * Consortium Researcher: It doesn’t matter! Beat ‘em up like the rest!

Double battle against Consortium Researcher and Consortium Mook. Pokemon: Hariyama, Primeape, Nosepass, Conkeldurr

Upon victory: ''A wail is heard from behind Sau as the Machamp slumps against the wall. Chime holsters his bamboo and offers a brief bow. He turns towards Sau, the blemishes on his face and his torn shirt revealing that his victory was not as clean as his finish made it out to be.''


 * Chime: You okay?
 * Sau: Yeah.
 * Consortium Mook: Who are these guys!?
 * Consortium Researcher: We gotta let the boss know!

''The two burst through the wide double-doors behind them, massive mounted lights flooding the hall from inside the laboratory. The researchers there look up in surprise as the two run in.''


 * Consortium Mook: Boss! We got trouble!

''From inside the huge space, Walkrin - still in the same black overcoat Sau saw her in before Nell - looks towards the commotion. She stands next to a table with a Johtic Sableye, invisibility cloak discarded, munching on some red berries.''


 * Walkrin: Hm?
 * Chime: My berries!

''Chime charges the table, drawing his Kendo bamboo, but Sableye looks up, his opal gemstone eyes suddenly glowing red, and Chime freezes in his tracks. The Sableye flicks his head, and Chime launches to his left, smashing into a giant metal crate.''


 * Chime: Ah!
 * Walkrin: These are mighty fine berries, yes, yes. How nice of you to give them up in the name of charity, indeed, yes.
 * Chime: Ghk...
 * Sau: How-!?

''Sau grits his teeth, his fists forming into balls. Walkrin’s gaze turns on him, along with those of the researchers, and he suddenly realizes he is standing alone in a room of enemies.''


 * Walkrin: Well, well, if it isn’t you again, yes. What good turn of luck! Perhaps I’ll be getting some berries and a precious, rare Magnemite today in the name of charity! What a wonderful day, yes, yes.

''Sau instinctively grabs Magnemite’s pokeball, his hands sweating. He starts backing towards the door.''


 * Sau: You’re not taking anything!
 * Walkrin: That’s the one, eh?

''Sableye’s eyes begin glowing again, and the ball is wrenched out of Sau’s hands, floating towards the seated Pokemon. With a yelp of suprise, Sau rushes after it, trying to wrench it out of the air - but the psychic hold Sableye has on the ball is too great, and Sau finds himself dragged along with it towards Sableye’s outstretched hand.''


 * Walkrin: Hm hm hm… How cute! A berry, overpowering the full weight of a person! Amazing, yes. Well, not a person, no, no. A kid.
 * Sau: Damnit…!

''Sau looks back towards the entrance, seeing the phalanx of researchers crowding around him, watching in awe. Past them, he catches a glimpse of Amakir’s collapsed body.''


 * Sau: What would she do…?

''The ball inches closer to Sableye, Sau now hanging off it in midair. With a wrenching twist, he flings his legs around, and strikes true - kicking Sableye square in the side of the head. It reels, its eyes flashing back to opalescent, and Sau drops to the ground, ball in hand.''


 * Walkrin: Hey- Stop him!

Sau scrambles to his feet, and books it towards the door, but the researchers have already come together, blocking his way.


 * Consortium Researcher: The ball or your legs, kid!
 * Consortium Mook: Your arms, too! Hahah!

''Sau begins to fumble for words, but is caught off-guard by a flood of flame that sweeps through the ranks of the researchers, sending them scattering in a screaming panic as they frantically throw their coats and robes to the ground, putting out the fires. Behind them, a Typhlosion rises to its full height.''


 * Nell: Nice one, boy.

Nell tosses a belt of balls towards Chime’s collapsed body, who jerks back to consciousness when the mass hits him.


 * Nell: You left these back at the Garden. Kinda important, don’t you think? Aren’t you glad you have me to watch out for you?
 * Chime: Yh-... yeah. Thanks.

Chime works his way up to his feet.


 * Nell: Okay, so what’s going on here?

Sau, his mind a flurry of emotions on autopilot, points at Walkrin.


 * Nell: Got it. Chime, you can take the rest, right?
 * Chime: Mfrhgm…
 * Nell: Not hearing a no, so he’s probably fine. Let’s do this.

''Double Battle: Sau and Nell against Researcher Walkrin. Same format as the Double Battle with Amakir above.'' Walkrin: Mimikyu, Togetic, Mismagius, Bewear, Mandibuzz, Johtic Sableye Upon reaching 50% HP, Johtic Sableye, will eat a Red-eye Berry and immediately use Psycho Boost as an automatic critical hit. Nell: Typhlosion, Slowbro, Marowak

Upon victory: Walkrin stands in the middle of her six fallen Pokemon, her knees quivering.


 * Nell: Where’s the berries?
 * Walkrin: I- I don’t know what you’re t-talking ab-
 * Nell: Give me that.
 * Walkrin: Hey-!!

''Nell swipes the Poke-Cube from the counter, just out of Walkrin’s grasp, and aims it at the Johtic Sableye. With a wriggle and a grunt, its barely-conscious form dissolves into a ray of purple data.''


 * Walkrin: This is an outrage!! You can’t do this!
 * Nell: You stole from me, I steal from you. I’m not one for fairness, but I’d say this is well within my rights. You good, Sau? Chime?
 * Sau: Uh-huh.
 * Chime: Got some bones that’ll need replacing, but largely functional.
 * Nell: Good. Let’s take your friend and get out. We’re probably losing the gym for this, but whatever.
 * Chime: “Whatever”!?

''The three walk towards the exit. Chime lifts Raboot off the floor, while Nell picks up Amakir.''


 * Amakir: Mmff…
 * Nell: Shush. We’re getting you out of here.
 * Amakir: Can’t… leave yet…
 * Nell: You don’t get much say in that now.
 * Amakir: But… Raikou…
 * Chime: She’s delirious. Let’s just get out.
 * Sau: …

''The three work their way back to the entrance. Eventually, Amakir stirs enough that she begins to walk on her own again, and returns Gance to his pokeball. The four of them emerge, Amakir leaning on Nell’s arm for support, Nell trying her best to ignore the extra weight. Sonthi sees them, and runs over.''


 * Sonthi: What took you so long? The Tower is almost closed! What did you even do back there?
 * Chime: Long story.
 * Nell: We’re going back to the gym. We have a guest shed in the forest you two- three, I guess- can stay in for the night.

With orange streaks of sunset overtaking the sky, the group returns to the Serene Forest.

Surf's Up  ''Sau, Sonthi and Amakir reach the edge of Johto. Presumably, the Whirl Islands are just on the horizon...but their erstwhile destination is lost in a haze of storm and sea. Am eerie, crackling glow can be seen at the heart of the tempest.''


 * Sonthi: Naturally, none of us have devised a way to get to the Islands.
 * Sau: I can swim.
 * Amakir: I can't.
 * Sonthi: ...naturally.
 * David: Hey, howzit?

''Looking supremely relaxed, David appears behind the trio. The gale whips his labcoat and fringe backwards, but David doesn't seem to notice as he leans over the railings to stare at the waves. His grin has a touch of the maniacal in it.''


 * David: What a beautiful day.
 * Sau: What are you doing here, Professor?
 * Amakir: This is the region's Professor?
 * But he's so hot.


 * Sonthi: That...was not the adjective I would have chosen.
 * David: Same reason you are, right?
 * Amakir: You're here to help us battle the evil Consortium and make sure that justice is had for their mistreatment and outrageous exploitation of Pokemon everywhere! Wow, that makes you even hotter.
 * David: Uh, no. I'm here to surf. There are a couple of sweet coral breaks near the Whirl Islands which are amazing when-
 * Sonthi: You can take us to Whirl Islands.
 * David: You wanna have a go, Sonthi? No worries.

''Sonthi looks at the other two youths. There is a slight air of satisfaction in his manner as he nods at them.''


 * Sonthi: That was easy. So where's your boat?
 * David: Boat?

David points at four surfboards behind him.


 * David: Let me know when you're ready!
 * Sau: That-
 * Sonthi: Is not-
 * Amakir: A boat.
 * David: It's better. Come on, Sau, you must know how to surf at least. We'll teach the other two.
 * Sau: I don't know how to surf!
 * David: Aren't you an Alolan?
 * Sau: I moved here when I was seven!
 * David: Hey, I could surf when I was seven.
 * Okay, I'll be nice since it's your first time. Get on the boards and Lapras will get us there. Just take it easy~.

Sau learned Surf!