Poke-genetics 10

Poke-genetics: searching


Someone he couldn't see had pushed him in the cell. He had fallen to the metallic ground and groaned in pain.
«Damn Team Blast… » muttered Stan Folklow.
«Oh, don't worry, as soon as you become cooperative, they stop doing that. » the other person in the cell declared.
«Jonathan? Is that you? »
«Of course it's me. I was taken by Team Blast, where else could I be? »
The sourness in his voice was unusual. Stan didn't make a big deal out of it. His friend had been on this place for a little bit more than three weeks.
«Don't worry Stan. If you just do what they tell you to do, the quality of your lifestyle increases drastically. »
«Jonathan… what have you done for Team Blast? »
He gave the impression of having given up all hope.
«I did what they told me to do. I continued my research on poke-genetics. »
«But… that's… »
«I finalized the Ditto solution, the Pikachu solution and its other forms, the Pidgeot solution and it's other forms, the Marill solution and its other forms, the Butterfree and its other forms, the…»
«THAT'S INSANE! Jonathan, don't you realized what they used those for? And, for that matters, how the heck did you manage to synthesize all those in three weeks when you had trouble to do one in a year?! »
«Insane? Stan, my old friend, I'm not crazy at all. I'm doing this for science! »
Every fiber of Stan, including the part where he remembered his old friend during their years in university, screamed to him that his friend was lying. He was definitely not sane.

«Whew, that was quicker than I thought. » Pikachu said.
«It still looked plenty long to me. » Genno replied.
«Oh, don't complain so much. » Ash added.
«Ash, last time I checked, you were the one sleeping on my back while I FLEW ALL THE WAY FROM VERIDIAN CITY TO HERE! » an angry Genno countered.
They thought they had been lucky when, after an hour of walk, they saw a pidgeot flying over the forest. Ash and Pikachu still thought it was good fortune, but Genno realized he didn't like flying all that much and that he still needed to make a big effort get to the next city. So, while Ash and Pikachu were in a perfectly good shape, he was irritable and tired.
«Well, you two can do whatever you want, but I'm going to sleep right here, right now. »
«Wait, you can at least go to the pokemon center for that. » Pikachu remarked.
Genno stared at Pikachu for a minute and then said:
«Alright, we're going straight to the pokemon center then. »
He changed back to Ash's human form. Ash felt a little hint of pain inside him when he saw his friend turn into him again. What he would give to have the same form…
«LET'S GO! I'm not going to stand here waiting! »
«O…kay… » answered Ash, a little bit frightened by his friend violent reaction.
Unsurprisingly, when he arrived to the pokemon center, he immediately asked for a room with a bed and went to sleep.
Pikachu and Ash looked at each other.
«Well, that was a bit rude… »
«Ash, he flew for five hours straight while we decided to rest. »
«Five hours? Didn't he say it took four? »
«I think he got lost at some point. »
They both chuckled.
«My, you cute pikachus need something? » politely asked Nurse Joy.
«Hum… can we borrow your computer? »
«Oh, sorry, I didn't understand what you mean by that. Can you show me instead? »
«Figures…» Ash said, annoyed.
Pikachu just jumped behind her counter and pointed to the computer.
«You want to use the computer? »
«Sherlock Holmes, ladies and gentleman. » Ash said to an invisible audience.
«Ash, stop mocking her and come over here. »
«Fine, fine. »
«It's not to play, is it? » inquired the nurse.
Both pikachus shook their head negatively.
«Alright then. »
Ash took place in front of the screen and began typing. «Do… you… know… where… are… Team… Blast's… headquarters? »
Nurse Joy's smile faded.
«Oh, I'm sorry little pikachus, but I have no idea. You could try asking the town's people, but I doubt you'll receive good results. »
They sighted, but Ash still pressed the «print» button. He took the sheet but realized it was hard to walk with it in his hands.
«How am I going to walk around town with that? »
Pikachu raised his shoulder, showing he had no idea.
«Here, let me help you. » said Joy.
With her skillful hands, she folded the paper until it was small enough to fit in his paws. When she was done, she put it under Ash's collar.
«Here, is it uncomfortable? »
«Nope. » he said with a smile. «I can barely feel a thing. Let's go, Pikachu. »

They were walking around town. Their plan was to listen to rumors first. If they could hear so much as a hint about Team Blast location, they'd ask.
So far, their method was not giving impressive results. They had only caught the name that people were looking everywhere in suspicions and immediately changed the subject. It was as if the name was a taboo around here.
The one time he actually dared to take out his paper and showed it to people, they had run away.
«This is getting annoying. Why is everybody acting like Team Blast doesn't exist? Do they not want them taken down? »
«They're probably too afraid…»
«Then what are we going to do? If no one is willing to speak of them, how can we find them? »
Pikachu looked at Ash with amused eyes.
«You're not used to being a pokemon enough, Ash. »
«I don't intend to become one. »
«Ash, you'll have to be as efficient as possible if we have to take down Team Blast. »
«I know… I'll be strong enough… I promise. »
«As I was saying, you're not used enough to being a pokemon. We can ask any pokemon in this town and they won't have any problem answering. Nobody from Team Blast understands the pokemon language, so no fear for them. »
«Pikachu, you're a genius! »
«No, I'm just a pikachu who thinks like a pikachu. »
«By my criteria, you are one. »
«I'll take that as a compliment… I guess. »
They began running around, looking for any pokemon that could informed them.
«Sir, » Pikachu asked an old Persian lying in a courtyard, «do you know anything about Team Blast's location? »
The big cat looked at the two yellow mice. If he was not so old…
«Sorry young ones, but my master doesn't like to talk about them too much, so my knowledge toward that subject is quite limited. »
«Oh, sorry to have bothered you. »
They moved to the next courtyard occupied by a pokemon.
«Hey, you two! Don't come closer! It's my master's territory. » Shouted an adorable young houndour.
«Okay, we won't come closer, but can you answer a question, please? »
«Sure. »
The houndour, reassured that they weren't intruders, was wigging his tail.
«Can you tell us if you know anything about Team Blast? »
«They smell like pokeblocks! »
«Really? »
«Yes, I was taking a walk with my master when guys in red and black uniforms told us to return to our house. I could easily sniff pokeblocks in some of their pockets. »
«When did this happen? »
«Ten days ago. »
Ash and Pikachu exchanged looks of disbelief. Some of Team Blast members were here more than a week ago? What had they done to make sure the people of the town wouldn't want to speak?
«Do you remember anything else about their smell? »
«Hum… not really. There was my favorite treat in his pockets, so I wasn't focused… » the houndour looked down in shame. His ears were down and he had his tail between his legs.
«That's alright. » Pikachu assured.
«Yeah, you were a big help anyway. » added Ash.
The houndour barked in happiness. He had been useful. He looked at them joyfully as they went away.
«That was a cute houndour…  Didn't think I'd say that someday. »
«Most dog pokemon are like that when they aren't fighting. » informed Pikachu.
«Anyway, he told us something quite strange: Team Blast's members smell of pokeblocks. »
«True, it's strange. They could simply be good trainers and have snacks for their pokemon, but somehow I doubt that. »
«That much was obvious. What could they be planning that requires pokeblocks? »
They stopped at the same time.
«They can only be used to feed pokemon… »
«They aren't planning to feed Team Rocket's pokemon, are they? » Ash said.
«They could, if they poisoned the pokeblocks… »
They felt a chill go down their spine. Ash felt like he lost all his appetite. He didn't feel like he could trust any pokeblock now.
«Let's… try to find something else… » he declared as he swallowed loudly.
«Yeah… »

Genno's dream was not exactly a nice one. He dreamed of rescuing his father from Team Blast's hands, discovering the cure to his and Ash's problem and was back in his lab. Since then, he had been happily doing some poke-genetics research under his father's tuition.
«Genno… I have something to tell you. » his father began.  
«What is it, dad?»
«Actually, there was a problem with the cure you found. »
«What?! Why didn't you tell me? »
«I didn't want to break your happiness. »
What was he saying?
He lifted of bottle containing green fluorescent liquid.
«These are the remains of that other kid. What was his name again? Ash Ketchup? »
«No! Ash? I didn't do that. I didn't do that! »
The world was spinning. Had he killed Ash? It wasn't real, was it?
He screamed in horror, his arms were becoming green. They were falling in chumk of green goo.
«Oh, it looks like you're falling apart too, son. »
«Dad, help me! »
«No, I can't do that. »
«Why? Help me, dad! » he begged as his legs began to melt.
«I couldn't take notes on such a fascinating process. » his father answered with a mad grin. «So, how does it feel? »
«It… it burns! » he felt fire running through his veins.
«It burns! » Genno repeated.
«Oh, that's probably the last stage. I hope my camera is working. »
«DAD, HELP ME! IT BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURNS! » he yelled in agony as his vision was filled with green.

«AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! »
Genno felled from his bed and hit his head.
«Aouch! »
He got up from bed and paused. What king of sick dream was that? He was shaking in fear and disgust. Was that his brain showing him what he refused to accept: that he would never be himself again and that if he tried, he'd killed himself? He was still under the lingering influence of his dream.
«Wake up! You're not going to melt! You're going to get your father and Stan back. They'll find a way, then both you and Ash will be your normal selves again. »  
«Dreams are the door to what the mind refuses to accept. » a voice in his head maliciously echoed.
«I'm going to be a human again! I'M NOT GOING TO BE A DITTO MY WHOLE LIFE! »
He was panting, filled with anger. Genno punched the wall as strong as he could. Gladly welcoming the pain, proof he was alive, he whispered to himself.
«I'll change back! »

«Hum… do you want to try that pidgey next? » Pikachu asked.
Ash sighted. Their research was turning into their greatest failure yet. Of the few wild pokemon that heard of Team Blast and actually cared, not one had given a clear hint. «Beneath the leaves of a tree I heard them. » Oh that was so helpful! All they needed was to find the only tree in the world and «Tadaaaaa!», they'd be in Team Blast headquarters.
No, seriously, what were they going to do?
«Hey, pidgey! » he called without conviction.
The bird pokemon turned around to see who had talked to it.
«How may I help youuuu? »
«Pfff… I shouldn't even bother to ask. Well… would you happen to know about Team Blast hideout? »
«… I wouuuuuld. »
The pidgey was very surprise to see the two pokemon looked at him with awe-filled eyes.
«Please, tell us! »
«…I'm a little hungryyyyy… »
«What do you want? We'll give it to you! » assured Pikachu.
«A bowl of seeds certainly would be niiiiiiice. »
«Do you see any bowl around here?! » Ash snapped.
«Ash! Stop it. Follow us, please. We'll take you to our trainer and he'll give you what you want. »
«If he tries to catch meeeeee… » began the pidgey in a surprisingly menacing voice.
«Don't worry; of all the trainers in the world, he's probably the one that has the least interest in catching pokemon. »
It wasn't even a joke.

Genno was looking through his things. He had a feeling he should do something important, but he couldn't put his finger on it. What was it? The impression was infuriating. He hated when it happened.
«Genno! We might have found something. »
It was Pikachu's voice. He turned around and came face to face with a pidgey.
«Wow! » he said as he fell backward.
«Helloooo… those two promised me a bowl of tasty seeds if I came with theeeeeem. »
Genno frowned at his friends. What was that about? Ash explained.
«He said he knows where Team Blast is hiding. »
Genno immediately turned toward the bird pokemon and asked very quickly:
«What kind of seeds do you prefer? How many bowls do you wants? »
«Oh… a human that hear… amusiiiing… my favourites are the oran berry seeeeeeeds. »
«Give me five minutes! »

They were watching the pidgey eat while cooing of happiness.
«My… that was most satisfyiiiiing. Very well, you kept your part of the deaaaaal, so shall I. »
They were literally hanging to its beak.
«A week ago, while I was meditating about my next dinneeeeer, something shocking happened.»
«What happened? » Ash asked.
«An impolite member of my species flew right into meeeeee! »
«What? » they said in confusion.
«What's more he did not even apologiiiiiiize like a civil pidgey, he babbled about incoherent thiiiiiings. »
«What kind of things? »
«He mentioned crazy traineeeeers, food with weird taste and a place full of humans of a certain Team Blaaaaast. »
«Where were you? »
«Over the forest… east of Cerulean city. »
«Thank you! » exclaimed Genno.
«If you're dooone, I'll take my leaaaave. »
None moved to stop it. In the space of a few wing beats, he had gotten out of the pokemon center.
«Guys, we've gotten precious information. We have a chance to get back at Team Blast. »
Pikachu answered with an approbating «Let's get them! », but Ash stayed silent.
He said that they were near Cerualean city. That meant that if they weren't fast enough, they might meet Misty. And he wasn't ready to speak to her now.

Misty was trying to get better. She said she'd wait and all, but even if she did, she still suffered. So, she was wandering in a night club, trying to find fun in the unending dances and songs. She might only be sixteen, but she needed it so much that she didn't care.
For a while, she managed to have fun. A few boys were flirting with her and, she was guilty to admit it, it felt good to have the attention of some boys. Ash was always so dense… «Oh no, I mustn't think about him… I… ». In a matter of seconds, her joy faded, the music was only loud noise and the guys were not even remotely attractive.
Pretending to be sick, she left them and sat at the bar. As she sat, she bumped in an older, good-looking, woman.
«I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to… »
«No, it's alright… I'm not really noticeable anyway. »
Misty gasped when she recognized the Officer Jenny.