Pokeumans Chapter 9

The world became bright again and I fell about a foot or two from the air and landed on the grass on my back. "Well that was more powerful than when Mike teleports me…" I moaned. The five of us had made it. We were in the tall grass a few feet away from a massive building. The sign said "Environmental Testing Facility" but it was a Pokéxtinction base. I just knew it. Nathan flapped his wings and preened himself, Starr sat up and rubbed her head, Cameron yawned for a second and Sakato stood and got into running position. My watch beeped. I pressed the little button on it and a holographic Asula appeared. "Brandon, did your party make it?" I nodded, "Yeah, we made it." Asula nodded, "Good, now use the holographic map to find a way inside the base. Remember, your job is to create a distraction while the B-team finds the Gemstone Files. Do not attempt to call us, for Pokéxtinction can trace the transmission back to us. We will call you in an hour once we are able to temporarily disable the signal so it becomes untraceable. We wish you luck in your mission." I saluted, "We won't let you down!" Asula smiled and the transition ended. "Well this is it," I said. "Let's roll," said Sakato. The five of us quickly dashed to the bushes a few feet in front of the base. "Okay, here's how we get inside," said Nathan, "First we…"

Suddenly, I heard a beep sound and purple gas sprayed from the bushes. "IT'S A TRAP!" Sakato shouted. The gas was everywhere and it was making me dizzy. I had to fight it. One by one, Starr, Nathan and Sakato fell to the ground. I was losing consciousness. "I'm going to die here…" I whispered before darkness sweep over me.

I dizzily woke up. I was on my back and staring at a white ceiling. Hospital machines were beeping and various nurses were talking. "Where…where am I?" I asked. Suddenly I remembered what happened. "Starr! Cameron! Sakato! Where are…" I looked down at my hands. My skin…it was no longer blue and was the color of human skin. My spikes were gone and I had all ten of my fingers back. I put my paw…err hand up to my head. My hair was back and my ears were back on the side of my head. I couldn't believe it…I was human again! "No, it couldn't be…"

Suddenly a human doctor pulled away the curtain and walked up to me. "Oh, Mr. Chan, you're awake." I was confused, "A-Awake?! What, why am I in the hospital?" The doctor scribbled something on his clipboard, "Ah I see you don't remember. You were hit by a car while riding on your bicycle. You have been in a coma for a month." I did double-take and sat up. "I was in a coma this whole time?!" The doctor nodded while continuing to write. "I will call your family Brandon," said the doctor, "They've been worried sick about you," and he left. I fell back down on the bed. This meant, Starr, Cameron, AB, Reggie, Mike and Asula...Pokéumans…it was all just a dream. I was never a Lucario after all. I felt hurt, Pokéumans was the best thing that had ever happened to me and it was just a stupid coma-induced dream. "I should write on story about them…" I said to myself.

Half-an-hour later, I was greeted by my family. My mom immediately bombarded my face with kisses. "Mom, stop you're embarrassing me!" I said. My dad came over and gave me a hug and kiss. Even my sister Kimmy had given me a hug. I stayed in the hospital for a few more hours and I was finally released. Everything felt real, the warm sun on my face, the birds chirping in the trees. "It couldn't have all been just a dream…" I mumbled to myself on the ride home. We stopped at Friendly's, and had a big lunch to celebrate my recovery. Even though the food was good, I missed the taste of Ms. Yepergo's food. But, all of her food was just my delusional imagination. I was allowed to eat all the ice-cream I wanted as a treat. I got Mint Chocolate Chip with Chocolate ice-cream with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry. Mmmmm......

A few hours later, my dad returned to work and my mom and my sister were getting ready to leave. "Brandon, I know it's your first day back, but your sister has a meet she has to go to. Are you sure you'll be alright?" said my mom. I nodded, "I feel fine mom, and I'll call you if there's any trouble." She kissed my cheek and headed out the door with Kim. I yawned and walked around the house. Everything was exactly the way it was before I left. I thought back to the day I was 'kidnapped,' could I really have been in a coma this whole time? I pinched myself once. Yup, I felt it. I punched myself in the stomach. Yup, that hurt too. I was really in reality. I sighed though, being a Pokéuman was fun while it lasted. I flopped back on my old couch, feeling the cool leather, signifying it was real and I wasn't just dreaming. I turned on the TV and started watching Mythbusters. A few minutes into the episode, there was a faint voice.

"Y…Pok…ou…mu...t…ke…p!"

I pressed pause on the TV and listened. I couldn't quite hear what the voice was. I shrugged it off and turned the TV back on. After an hour, I was bored. I still couldn't shake the experience away and I went downstairs to the computer room. I went to Google, and typed in "Pokéumans," and once again I got the same message.

Your search – Pokéumans – did not match any documents.
Did you mean to search for Pokémon?

I sighed. It was true; it was all a dream after all. I went to YouTube and began watching some Smosh videos and going on deviantART after a whole month. I was disappointed to find zero messages. After a while, I got bored and started watching Scary Movie on Netflix, while heating up a Digiorno pizza in the oven. Suddenly, the voice returned.

"Youn…Pokéu…you…mu...t…ake…up!"

Again, I stopped and listened. It was the same voice I thought I heard earlier. I sat there for a good twenty minutes in complete silence. The voice didn't return. My pizza ready, I took it out of the oven and went back to watching my movie. As I ate the pizza, I wondered. "After all this, after all that I've been through, I'm back to my ordinary life. It was…almost too good to be true. It was about seven o' clock when the movie ended. My parents weren't home yet so I went back downstairs to the computer. "You know, this whole Pokéumans idea could get me famous. I can start a series and get it published." I smiled at my clever idea. I went to Microsoft Word and opened up a new document. I sat there, letting the experiences coming back to me. I began to type.

'I am a powerful Lucario, battling against another trainer's Steelix in the field with my trainer. "Steelix," commands his trainer, "Use Flamethrower!" Steelix spits out a stream of hot fire. I don't need my trainer's command to dodge it perfectly. "Nice job Lucario! Now-'

"Young…Pokéuman…you…must…wake…up!"

That time I heard it loud and clear. I stopped typing for a second and listened. It was…a familiar voice. It was…

"Brandon! This is Spiritus! You must wake up immediately! You are in great danger!"

I turned my head. I looked all around but I could not find Spiritus anywhere. "Where are you?" I shouted. My eyes widened with horror as the computer, desk and the room began melting away before my eyes. "What's going on!?" I shouted as my surroundings liquefied and vanished into thin air. Once again I found myself standing in a white background. Tears started to well in my eyes as I shifted from human form to Lucario once again. Spiritus appearing before me and I was sniveling. "I-It…was all…a…dream…" I said while tears ran down my face. I finally had my family back, my house back, my…life back. It was all a cruel fantasy, a mirage, a dream. I wailed once the realization came to me. Spiritus hugged me as I sobbed. "There, there," he said, patting my back, "It will be okay young hero."

After a few minutes, I got myself under control once again. "So…how is this possible?" I asked. Spiritus looked around the white background, "I do not know young Pokéuman. Something is currently stimulating your mind, and taking over your subconscious, as if it wanted to control it. I was able to fight it off temporarily, but you must wake up soon." I nodded, "But how?" Spiritus looked around, "I am not strong enough to shatter the illusion by myself. You must will yourself to return to reality while I try to destroy this influence on you. I nodded and closed my eyes. I imagined Starr, and Cameron, and Sakato and Nathan. I thought of Mike and Asula, Reggie and all of my teachers. I remembered Ms. Yepergo's delicious food and my victory of my first tournament and the Elite Four. I thought of the promise I made to help stop Pokéxtinction. I remembered…the pride I had in being a Pokéuman. At once there was a whooshing sound and I felt like I was being propelled forward at hundred of miles per hour…

I found myself staring at the ceiling. I reached out, and my paw was immediately stopped by a layer of glass. I turned my head and saw the padded sides, the restraint on my body, and the beeping light that slowly went out. I was in some sort of machine. I struggled, but the metal belt I was wearing prevented movement. Thinking fast, I Force Palmed the glass, shattering it as I crossed my arms to defend myself from the falling glass. I strained as hard as I could, and I managed to break off the metal belt I was wearing. I grabbed it and threw it as hard as I could, where it flew and smashed a security camera in the corner of the room.

I stepped out of the machine. It was purple; with lights shining in many different colors before they slowly went dim. I looked at the clock on the wall. It was amazing; I was only in that machine for fifty minutes. It really felt like I was in there for a whole day. I walked over to the door. It was closed and had a red light glowing for the keypad. I pulled the handle. It didn't budge. I yanked it as hard as I could. It was locked. I raised my aura sensors and scanned the surrounding area. No guards within a hundred feet. I also looked at the camera I had shattered. They probably haven't noticed it yet on the security monitors. I searched around and found a sheet of paper on the metal table. Curiously I picked it up and read it.

Reality Simulating Brain Washers Mode X68703

Can simulate reality for up to one hour. Subjects to be permanently brainwashed when the simulation is over. Can make time go slower in the subconscious. Uses memories and brainwaves to create certain realities and stimulates the senses to allow the illusion to feel real.

My heart froze. I really could've been brainwashed and trapped. That's when I remembered my friends. If I had been trapped in that machine, they must have too. I turned around and saw the four of them, each in a machine, eyes closed, with a peaceful smile on each of their faces. They were experiencing an all-to-real illusion just as I had. Quickly, I darted my eyes at the clock, and realized with horror there was only one minute left to stop the machines that held them captive! "Oh my god!" I ran over to each machine and slammed my fist into them, pulling out wires, snapping cables, breaking glass, bending metal. I smashed Cameron's, then Starr's, then Nathan's, then Sakato's with only a few seconds to spare. The lights on the machines went out, indicating that they were indeed smashed. I ran over to Cameron, who was still out. I began to shake him, frantic that I was too late. "Please Cameron! Wake up! Hippopotas Buddy! Please!" Cameron squirmed a little and slowly opened his eyes.

"Cameron!" I cried happily as I started pulling at a handle on the side of the door. He slowly sat up and somewhat staggered out of it. I got down on my knees and hugged him.  "Cameron thank god you're ok!" I said happily. "Yeah..." he mumbled as I hugged him. "Brandon....how long was I in there?" he asked. "About fifty-five minutes," I said "An hour... but....it felt like a whole day." Cameron was clearly upset. "Hippopotas Buddy....are you all right?" I asked curiously. He looked at me as if he was about to burst into tears. "...It really was all a dream?" he asked. I realized Cameron had been reunited with his parents, and then to have it all torn away… "Yeah....the whole "day" was nothing but...a fake dream those capsules created," I said deeply. My heart went cold. Cameron's head drooped and looked down at the floor. "Mom.....Dad....." he mumbled. I sighed sadly and hugged him, patting his back.

Cameron stood there silent as I went to the other machines. Starr and Sakato both awoke after being shaken and calling their names. The watched beeped twice just as I managed to wake Nathan up. All three of them were in deep shock, so I let Cameron comfort them as I answered Asula's call. "Brandon, did your team make it safely inside?" she asked. I paused for a second. I didn't want to worry by telling them about us almost being brainwashed. "Uh, yeah we made it inside. We had a little trouble but it seems that we're okay for now. We're in some kind of technology room, but the door's locked, there's no way out." Asula sighed over the watch, "Well, we have to end this transmission before Pokéxtinction can pick it up. We'll teleport the A-team to the base now, make sure you distract the guards long enough. Good luck." Asula ended the transmission. I went over to the others. "I can't believe they did this to us…" said Starr fighting back tears. "They'll pay for this…" growled Nathan. Sakato stood silent, shaking while Cameron patted his back.

"First thing's first," I said, "We need to get that door open." Starr walked over and slammed her paw into the door, but it didn't even leave a dent. "Let me try," said Sakato. He walked in front of the door. "HYDRO CANNON!" He blasted a jet of water at the door, but it shot off and destroyed one of the empty capsules behind us. Again, the door was unharmed.  "I've seen these kinds of doors before," said Nathan, examining the door's structure, "They are special move-absorbing doors, commonly found in these kinds of Pokéxtinction bases. Not even a Hyper Beam can blast through it." "There's got to be someway out of here!" shouted Starr. We all looked around for a window or an air vent, but there were no windows and the air vent was so small not even Cameron could climb through it. Suddenly, the keypad turned green and the door slid open, revealing two men in white lab coats. "He said the camera went out and…hey! The prisoners are awake!" Sakato shot around and shot an Aurora Beam at the guards, freezing them in place just before they pulled the alarm. "That…was too close," gasped Starr. I looked at the watch and opened the holographic map. "It seems that the path splits in two directions," I said, "So we better split into two teams. I'll go with Starr, and Cameron, Nathan, and Sakato will go down the other path. We'll meet where the rooms cross, just make sure to distract as many guards as possible to allow the A-team to infiltrate."

Starr and I walked down the dimly-lit hallways. Her aura sensors were raised, looking for any signs of guards. Fortunately we didn't run into anybody. "We want to make sure the A-team can get those files, and we have to search for my brother…" said Starr. I nodded in agreement. Suddenly she pulled my arm and shoved me behind a few boxes. Two guards with spray cans, stun guns, and red button remotes in their belts, walked along with two Machoke behind them. I noticed the Machoke's eyes. They were gray and glazed over, completely brainwashed. I shuddered with fear. "Come on, we should keep moving" said Starr as she grabbed my shoulder and we continued down the hallway. After a few minutes, we made it to a room. It was the only way to continue, and it was filled with guards and brainwashed Pokéumans. Some were at the computers, a few were standing around talking, and some were eating lunch. It was almost like a break room. "We can't take them all out at once," whispered Starr.

Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder and I spun around to attack before I saw a glimpse of green. It was Reggie, and the entire A-team. "Whew, are we glad to see you," I said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Yeah, we need to pass this room in order to get to where we're going," said Curtis the Krokorok. "We've put the entire stock of cameras on hold, they'll only display one image for the next twenty minutes," said Samantha the Gothitelle. "Need some help here?" asked Reggie with a wink. Starr and I both looked at each other and nodded.

It was over before we knew it. The seven of us jumped out from our hiding spots and attacked every single guard. Wallace was sprayed in the face with the gas but Curtis clamped his jaw on the guard's arm and then punched him out. I fired tiny Aura Spheres left and right while Lizzie and Starr were helping each other knock down several guards at once. Reggie grabbed the last two guards and slammed their heads together, sending them crashing to the floor. One of them did manage to set off the alarm, but Samantha jammed the signals with a device. "Nice work guys," said Reggie as he shook my paw. "You and I make a great team!" said Lizzie, who smiled at Starr. "Come on guys, the cameras un-jam in fourteen minutes, and on top of that we have to carry this lug," said Samantha, pointing at Wallace, still unconscious. "We gotta get moving, we'll all succeed in our missions," said Reggie, giving a Grovyle's version of a thumbs-up. Lizzie swiped a key card from one of the guard's necks while Reggie and Curtis picked up the sleeping Ludicolo and they traveled down one of the hallways.    

Starr walked over to a computer and began messing around with it. "Hey Brandon, check this out." I stared at the screen. It was a map of the place, almost like the one on the watch, except this map was much more detailed, giving the layout, the room content as well as the people in the rooms. It more importantly revealed the location of the security cameras. This could be handy. "Maybe you can update the map on the watch with this," said Starr. I looked at the watch and pressed a button I hadn't pressed yet. A blue light emitted and scanned the blueprints on the screen. It beeped once before flashing Scan Completed. I hit the map button and the holographic map looked just like the one on the computer, meaning I was able to scan the area for cameras and guards. I looked down the hallway where Reggie and the others were. There were guards in the rooms following to the Storage Area where the files were being kept. I grabbed the microphone. "Attention, all guards to Break Room E, there has been a security breach!" Starr nodded, "That'll distract them, come on, Nathan and the others will be ahead!"

We hid behind several crates as the guards rushed down the hallways to the Break Room. While Starr and I ran down the corridors, my heart started pumping, my adrenaline began rushing. This is what excitement was, and frankly, I liked it. We made it to another vacant room, and Starr and I looked at my map. "Okay…if we turn here…we can meet up with the others…" Suddenly a guard appeared in the room, and I looked up just in time to see him spray Starr and she blacked out. "NO!" I shouted and rushed to help her but I felt the purple gas get sprayed in my face, and I slowly faded into unconsciousness…

"Ugh…where…am…I…?" My vision was blurred and I couldn't see. I sat up, rubbing my head and the first thing I saw were bars. I snapped awake and began to shake them to no avail. I struck it with Force Palm, but an electric blast sent me flying back. I shook my head in shock when I remembered Starr. She was on the floor behind me, still unconscious. I ran to her side and shook her. "Starr…wake up!" She groaned and I shook her again. After a couple of seconds her eyes opened. "Brandon…where…are…we…?" she moaned. "We're in a cage or something, and I can't break the bars down with my attacks." I looked around and sighed. There was no way out. She put her paw in my paw and I looked at her. Starr has always been so strong, and to see her on the ground, barely able to move…it shook me. This was madness. "No use calling for help," I said, noticing the watch on my wrist was gone. My ears drooped. This was bad. "I hope…the others…made…it…" gasped Starr. I nodded, "They're our last hope."

We waited for some time. The lock on the cage was controlled by a panel…on the other side of the room. The bars were probably move absorbers, just like the doors. We were trapped, like dogs or animals at the zoo. Suddenly, I picked something up on my sensors. Movement. Somewhere nearby. I grabbed the bars and leaned as far as I could. A nineteen/twenty year old man wearing a Pokéxtinction uniform entered. I gasped when I realized he had Sakato and Cameron too, and their eyes were gray. My heart froze. "No…no…" I moaned. All hope was lost if we lost Cameron and Sakato. The man looked around. "All clear." He took of his ring and transformed into a majestic Pidgeot. It was Nathan! Sakato and Cameron looked at each other before rubbing their eyes, returning them to their colorfulness. "But…but…but…" I stammered. Starr managed to sit up to look. "Gray colored contacts," Sakato said. "We stole them from a guard's pocket," said Cameron, "It gives us that brainwashed look." "That was…smart…" said Starr. Nathan shook the uniform off and Air Slashed the panel. The door beeped, but it only swung open partially. "Oh no!" Cameron and Sakato ran over and began pulling the door, but it was stuck. I tried getting through, but my spike kept getting in the way. We were still trapped. "You do have a ring don't you?" said Nathan. I slapped my forehead. How could I have been so stupid? Starr and I looked at each other as we slipped the rings on. I transformed back into my human self, and Starr turned into a beautiful fifteen year old girl. She had blonde hair, perfect figure and wearing a T-shirt and jeans. "I…I…" I stammered, captivated by her perfectness. She smiled and shook her head, "Stop gawking and let's get out of here." I sucked in my belly and managed to squeeze through the door. Starr slipped through as well.

Starr and I put on our rings, turning into Lucario again. "You might need this too," said Cameron, throwing me the watch that was taken from me. I gasped in happiness as I put it back on my arm. I activated the map feature. We were only a few rooms away from the main control room, where the loved ones of my friends awaited. Nathan used his ring and turned human again. The four of us put the gray contacts in. "Remember, show no emotion. Remain blank," said Nathan. I nodded. He led us out of the room, passing by guards and scientists. I didn't smile or snicker. I kept a straight face.

I occasionally looked at the watch and signaled which way to turn. We walked down the hallways, passing guards who thought we were brainwashed. We made it down halls, past rooms where we saw countless Pokéumans working on machines, carrying things and marching. They had no control over their bodies. Their souls were gone. It was enough to make your heart shatter.

We finally made it to the room and we hid behind some crates. I peered inside. There was someone sitting at a chair, facing a computer screen. It was the very Pokémon we were fighting against, the creator of Pokéxtinction as well as Pokéumans. It was our worst nightmare. Sitting there…was Mr. X himself. The Mewtwo was at the computer, which was scanning the contents of the Files. "I know the five of you are right behind me." The five of us stiffened. "That is quite a rude way of introducing yourselves. Come out so I can see you face-to-face."

"Give it up, Mr. X," I shouted, the five of us jumping out from behind the crates. "It's five against one!" The Mewtwo slowly turned around in his chair. "Why if it isn't Brandon and his little friends, so glad you can join us." I was shocked. "How-How do you know my name?" I asked. Mr. X smiled, "I've known you've been coming for a long time now/ I know you want to free your siblings and recover the Gemstone Files." He then gave a dark smile. "I also know you're an Energy Channeler." Everyone stared at me. The secret was out. "What's an Energy Channeler?" asked Cameron. "Brandon, why didn't you tell us?" Starr asked. I felt guilty. "I couldn't tell you guys, I'm sorry." I turned back to Mr. X. "If you surrender now, my pals and I won't hurt you!" I shouted. Mr. X gave a terrible laugh, "Oh but if I surrender now, you won't be able to catch up with your old friends!" He took a whistle and blew. From out of the shadows came a Jolteon. His eyes were gray and blank. "Why hello Sakato, it's been a long time, hasn't it?" Sakato gasped and had a horrified look on his face. "Connor? Is that you?" Connor laughed, "Of course, you don't recognize your own best friend? I wish you'd been captured along with me, we could have had so much fun here!" Sakato looked completely grief stricken and tears were running down his face. "Connor, what have they done to you?"

Starr and Nathan both stepped up. "Stop it! Stop torturing him!" Starr shouted. "Come on, let's take them on!" said Nathan. Mr. X laughed again. "Oh, but our trip down memory lane isn't over yet!" He blew the whistle again and two more Pokémon stepped out from the shadows, a Pidgeotto and another Lucario, both with gray blank eyes. "ZANE?!" shouted Nathan. "Ryan!" gasped Starr. Both of them smiled. "Why if it isn't my dear sister Starr," said Ryan. "How could I forget the way you abandoned me and ran off to your little base and left me all alone? I thought we were siblings. I thought you cared about me," he said in a cruel, sarcastic way. Starr started to tear up with a grief stricken face. Nathan was in shock also. "What have you done to my brother?!" he shouted. "Nothing Nathan," replied Zane. "Mr. X showed me how you are the enemy and that you need to be eliminated. I don't need you anymore. Now prepare to fight!" "I'm not fighting my own brother," Nathan snapped, teary eyed also. I was heartbroken when I saw Sakato, Nathan and Starr trying to hold back their tears and their loved ones giving cruel, unforgiving smirks. That despair turned to rage. "Come on! Cameron and I will take them!" I shouted. "Yeah! It's still five against three; we'll still beat you down!" Cameron yelled. "Oh boys," Mr. X said. "Come show our guests proper respect!"

Suddenly a Toxicroak and a Typhlosion both stepped out from the darkness. "We are the X-Trio, the understudies to the great Mr. X," said the Typhlosion. "B-But, if you are the X-Trio, why are there only two of you?" asked Cameron. The Toxicroak smirked, "Well aren't you a small one, why would anyone send a Pokéuman who is so useless!" I don't know if that Toxicroak knew it or not, but I saw something snap in Cameron, he began glaring at them and breathing heavily. "You have already met the third of the Trio, my beloved niece Mindy, who right now is protecting your precious Gemstone Files!" laughed Mr. X. This time, something in me snapped. I wanted to pummel these guys to the ground. "My name is Andy, it'll be the last name you'll ever hear!" said the Toxicroak. "My name is Dean. I will defeat you for the great Mr. X!" said the Typhlosion. Mr. X laughed. "Now it's five against five! I'll tell you what, if you manage to defeat your comrades, they will be freed of my brainwashing effect. Not that it matters. I'll see you around fools!" He pressed a button on his wrist and disappeared. "No!" I cried. "We were so close!" I sighed; Mr. X had vanished like Mindy did before we caught her.

All five of us got into our battle stances, and our foes do the same. It was the five of us against the five of them. "Everyone takes a different Pokémon got it?" Nathan said. "Got it!" everyone cried, including me. We had to free their loved ones. "Okay then," I shouted, "Let's battle it out!"     

Suddenly electric cages formed around us and our opponents. It was Starr vs. Ryan, Nathan vs. Connor, Sakato vs. Zane, Cameron vs. Andy, and I was in a cage with Dean. "Heh, now you wimps can't gang up on us," said Andy. Cameron looked furious. I was actually scared; Cameron had always been so friendly… "YOU WILL NEVER CALL ME USELESS AGAIN!" he raged as he clamped his jaw on Andy's arm. I stared down at my opponent. He didn't look menacing to say the least. But he was a member of the X-Trio, and he needed to go down.

"ERUPTION!" The fire on Dean's neck literally exploded, sending a blast of fire power at me. I strained to endure the attack. The blast literally sent me flying into the bars, which then electrocuted me. I slumped to the ground. Dean walked over to me. "Get up," he said. I gasped, breathing waiting for him to kick me, finish me, spit fire and burn me. He didn't. He just stared directly at me. "I said, get up." Slowly I rose to my feet. Dean looked at me and nodded. "Force Palm!" I dashed towards him, ready to strike. "Smokescreen!" Dean blew thick, billowing smoke at me. I coughed as I breathed it in, and my eyes stung. I looked around when suddenly out of the smoke came a flaming ball, rolling right towards me! I couldn't dodge due to the smoke as Dean crashed into me, slamming me into the cage, getting shocked again. The cage was big enough to brawl in, but too small to jump over Dean. Dean rolled back into the smoke. I was in the dark. There was no way I could attack a target with my accuracy so low. That's when an idea flashed into my head. I concentrated, forming my aura into a ball. "AURA SPHERE!" I fired it into the smoke, and the impact blew away the remaining smoke.

He uncurled. "Flamethrower!" He spat one at me. Fire, I hated the stuff ever since I turned into a Steel-type. I rolled out f the way, electrocuting myself on the cage walls again. "FORCE PALM!" I ran forward, dodging the fireballs and struck him in the chest, sending him back into the cage. The combo of the shock and the shock paralyzed him. Dean struggled to get back up. "ROCK SLIDE!" I called, and from nowhere in particular rocks cascaded into the cage, striking Dean in several places. He stood up and shook the rocks off. "Eruption!" he called and blasted the fire from his neck. I ran through the flames, feeling the burns on my body and slammed him with Iron Tail. He slid back, and shook it off.

"Prepare yourself for this. My combo, FLAMING METEOR!" Dean curled into Rollout, and spun as fast as he could, spewing a Smokescreen behind him. I coughed, and looked around for him. I heard something bounce off of the top of the cage, and the next thing I knew, Dean, on fire, slammed into my chest, sending my back straight into the metal cage, giving me another shock. I gasped, he was strong. Dean began rolling when electricity appeared on his body and he uncurled. I realized had paralyzed him before, and his Rollout stopped. "ROCK SLIDE!" I called and sent the rocks tumbling down, crushing him. Dean stood back up. He wasn't growling nor was he shouting with anger. He just stared at me, with an expression I can't really describe. I raised my paws.

"AURA SPHERE!"
"FLAMETHROWER!"

I fired a sphere and he fired fire. Both of our attacks struck and I was on the ground, with burns. Dean struggled against the damage. He started at me. "I'll see you soon," was the last thing Dean said to before he vanished into thin air. He didn't finish me off. He could have taken me out, but he didn't. Dean seemed…less aggressive. What was going on? The cage around me disappeared as well. Nathan had already defeated Connor, who was on the ground, groaning. Sakato shot his signature Aurora Cyclone and took down Zane as he collapsed to the ground, making the cage vanish. Now the only ones left brawling were Starr and Ryan and Cameron and Andy. "Come on you little squirt," mocked Andy, dodging Cameron's attacks with ease, "You're only proving my point. I had never seen such a darker look on a Hippopotas' face.

"You…will…not…call…me…USELESS!!!" Cameron punched the ground so hard that the whole room shook, "SAND HURRICANE!!!" Geysers of sand blasted out of the crack in the ground, sending the rest of us flying back. Andy was a Poison-Type and Ground beats Poison. After it was over, Cameron stood there, breathing heavily. When the dust cleared, Andy was still standing, tired, but still standing. "Heh…you'll never best me with your pathetic powers. REVENGE!" Andy ran forward and punched Cameron hard enough to slam him back into the cage, being a Ground-type wasn't affected by the electricity. "I'd stay to finish you, but my work is done. See you around useless." Andy pressed a button and vanished. The cage dissipated. "NO! I'LL HAVE MY REVENGE! HE CAN'T GET AWAY WITH THAT!" Cameron ran forward, clawing wildly. "STOP! HIPPOPOTAS BUDDY!" I shouted, grabbing him to restrain him. He started squirming, clawing my arm in the process. "Let me go! No one calls me useless!" he snarled. "Cameron…what's wrong with you?" I whimpered, afraid of him for the first time. And like magic, his anger faded and he went limp. "I'm……sorry……Lucario Friend," he said. I set him gently down on the ground. "Cameron…" said Sakato, putting his paw on his shoulder. Suddenly an agonizing scream was heard. We all shot around. Cameron's battle distracted us from Starr's.

Starr was on the ground, with Ryan standing over her. She had been defeated. "I can't…defeat…my own brother…" she whispered. Ryan began laughing. "I knew you were always weak Starr, now join me and we can be together." "NO!" I shouted and ran towards the cage, and getting electrocuted once I touched the bars. "Starr will now become one of us, a solider for…" Suddenly Ryan grasped his head and began shrieking. His gray eyes suddenly flashed red. "STARR!!!" he cried in a more innocent voice. Starr's eyes widened. The real Ryan was able to break through. He roared as he grabbed his head, "NO! You don't exist anymore! I'm you now!" Ryan grabbed Starr's arm. "If you want her, come and find me!" He pressed a button on his arm and teleported away, taking Starr with her.

"NO! STARR!" I shouted as loud as I could. It was then the A-team arrived. "We've got the files! Is everyone alright?" shouted Lizzie. I couldn't answer her. Starr was gone. "Where's Starr?" asked Reggie. The others remained silent. "She's…been captured by Ryan…" said Nathan. Samantha stepped forward. "He couldn't have gone out of the base; there are teleport jammers on the outside. He must be in one of the rooms here." I quickly opened the map on my watch. There were two lone figures in a room on the other side of the base, near the entrance. "That must be them." Sakato walked up to me and put his paw on my shoulder. "Go, go and get her back. We'll take care of Connor and Zane." I nodded, "Glad you got your friend back." He gave a small smile. "You two go help them," said Reggie to Lizzie and Wallace. He threw Lizzie the flash drive he had been wearing. "Aren't you going to give us the Gemstone Files?" asked Wallace. Reggie shook his head, "No, if Ryan is holding Starr hostage, we may need to use them as bait." Nathan looked at me, "We'll meet you outside. Get Starr back." I nodded as Sakato, Nathan, Lizzie, and Wallace carried Zane and Connor out of the base, leaving Reggie, Curtis, Samantha and Cameron. "Let's go Lucario Friend," said Cameron.

The five of us ran down the hallways, punching out every guard we saw. "How long does it take to brainwash a Pokéuman?" I shouted while running down the corridors. "At most, six minutes!" shouted Curtis back. The room was a good seven minute run away. "WELL HURRY THEN!" I screamed. We couldn't lose Starr…we couldn't……

Cameron's small legs weren't holding up very well running against the rest of us. "Lu…car…io……Fri…end…" he gasped. I stopped, "Cameron, are you okay?" He gasped, "Can't…keep…up…" Reggie stopped, picked Cameron up and placed him on his shoulders. "Need a lift there buddy?" Cameron's weight didn't alter the speed of his running. All the while I was running, the thought of Starr…her personality, the things that made her special, being wiped away with one blast. The thought was too unbearable to think of. I ran as hard as I could, my lungs ached, my legs burned, and my heart was literally ready to explode out of my chest. But I kept running. Running…to save Starr.

I knocked out two more guards as we finally made it to a sealed door. I checked the watch. Seven minutes had elapsed. Samantha took the key card they had taken earlier and swiped the slot. The red light turned green and the door slid open. In the darkened room, two lone figures stood. I ran forward, "Give back Starr now before I make you!" I roared. The others ran into the room just as the lights went on. It was Ryan, wearing an evil smirk on his face. "No, no, no. This is between me and Brandon," Ryan said as he clicked a remote and a sound-proof bubble formed around all of my friends, but not before Reggie was able to toss the Gemstone Files to me. They began attacking the bubble from the inside, but it didn't budge. I was essentially alone, holding the Gemstone Files.

"Well it seems you have found me," said Ryan. "Give…back…Starr…" I gasped, breathing heavily. He smiled, "Oh Starr, come here please." The other figure stepped forward. It was Starr. I looked into her eyes; the crimson was gone, only gray irises stared back at me. "No…Starr…" I gasped, tears forming. "She's one of us now," said Ryan. I stepped back, shaking my head in disbelief. Starr had always been so strong…there was no way…she could have been… Ryan smirked, "So, I'll cut you a deal. Hand over the Gemstone Files, and I'll give her back. What will it be?" I began trembling; I couldn't let Pokéxtinction get the Gemstone Files. But…I had to free Starr. My choice had been made. I dropped to my knees and let the files drop to the ground. The others gasped from inside the bubble, well I couldn't hear it but they looked like they gasped. Ryan smiled evilly. "Starr, retrieve the files for me." She slowly walked over to me, a blank expression on her face. "Starr…please… don't…" I whispered. She crouched down until she was at level with my face. "Please…you're…strong…" I begged.

Starr smiled and winked at me.

"RRARGHH!" Before I could react, Starr jumped up, flipped backwards in the air and struck Ryan in the face with her foot. He gasped as he dropped the remote, Starr's feet crushing it. The force field was disabled and the whole gang sprung into action. Samantha held Ryan in place with a Psychic and Reggie fired Bullet Seeds at him. Cameron and Curtis both struck the ground and shook him up with a double Earthquake. Ryan screamed as Starr walked up to him.

"I…thought…you…couldn't…hurt…your…brother…" he gasped.

Starr glared at him. "You. Aren't. My. Brother."

She conjured an Aura Sphere and blasted Ryan in the chest and he screamed in agony. I saw the gray fading from his eyes before he passed out and his body went limp. Samantha set him gently down onto the ground. Starr sighed with content as she fell to her knees. She rubbed her eyes, returning them to crimson red. "I knew these contacts would come in handy," she said. Everyone laughed. I got down and hugged her, our spikes bubbled again. "Thought I lost you there…" I said. She kissed me on the cheek. "We did it!" shouted Cameron happily. "Mission accomplished," said Reggie, "We all did an excellent job." I helped Starr to her feet, "I'm glad it's over. This battle to save my brother is finally over." I nodded. My belly suddenly gurgled loudly. I realized I hadn't eaten dinner yet! Everyone laughed in good spirits.

"Let's go home, dinner's waiting!"