Aegus
Connoisseur
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- Posts
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- Georgia in the good ol' US of A!
- Seen Sep 26, 2015
Roketto e no kōgeki
Chapter One
Chapter One
"I don't know about this, Steven," sighed Red. "You honestly think these two can mesh? The probability of them actually working together is higher than one of them even agreeing to come!"
"I'm sure of it," Steven said, looking ahead. "Look: this one is ex-military for our nation - he was discharged honorably and was noted as saying: "I do not wish to go, but it is my duty" during his meeting with the press. I'm sure that he will jump at the chance for some action."
Red paused for a long while, but finally nodded his head in agreement. "I have no doubt about his skill - it's the one from Ransai that I worry about. His skill is unbelievable," Red winced, remembering something unpleasant. "He is strong, yes, very stro-"
"But the likelihood of him joining is low, right?" Steven interrupted.
"Precisely. But perhaps I am biased. Shall we ask the others what they think?"
"Yes," said Steven, nodding his head.
The two turned and exited the dimly lit room, and walked out into a large hallway with only three doors - one large, oak door at the end, and two smaller ones at the end they left. All along the walls there were many long and flowing banners, representing the different elements of pokemon, lit from below. On the ceiling there was a mural of several legendary beings, starting with the legends of Arceus, and continuing through to the grand prophecies of the end, also involving Arceus, Red and Steven walked down the long hallway, and finally reached the oaken doors. From far away they seemed big, but up close, they were hunormous.
"How on earth are we supposed to open these?" Red shouted, "I mean really! Who's idea was it to-"
"Red. It opens right here." laughed Steven, pushing open a door-sized compartment in the left gate.
"Oh." he stammered, "I knew that. Just testing your memory."
"Right, of course."
They then entered into a large, bright room with a large table in the center. On the center of the circular ceiling was a mural of earth with various celestial bodies and a long, green creature surrounding it with it's length. The light was filtering in from small, rectangular stained-glass windows, that were every color of the rainbow, and many others. In the room were twenty-nine familiar people - the Elite Four of six regions: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos, along with their respective champions. The ones from Unova seemed to be particularly exhausted, most likely from the evacuation efforts, Steven thought to himself. He resolved to go and speak to their champion, Alder, to thank him for his hard work.
"You look weary my friend," Steven said, tapping Alder on the shoulder.
As Alder turned around, it became apparent just how hard he'd been working. His normal, perpetually happy face had been replaced by a wrinkled brow, an exhausted frown, and dark, sad eyes.
"Oh, hello Steven," he murmured, "yes, I suppose you could say that!" He yelled, attempting to muster a laugh and a grin. (To no avail.) "These four managed to evacuate almost 80% of the Unova population before the happening," he said, pointing at his elite four. "I can wish for 100%, but given a one-hour notice, they've already done the impossible; I couldn't be prouder."
"I couldn't either. A job very well done, all of you," Steven announced, "I wish you all well, and I want you to rest up well whilst here."
They all thanked him, and Red motioned Steven to come. As he and Steven continued through the great room, they were joined by Cynthia of the Sinnoh region, and greeted by many Elite Four members.
"So," Cynthia asked, "what's the big plan?"
"We're recruiting two guys - an ex-operative from the military, and. . . someone else you know," Red replied nervously.
"Someone. . . else? And I know him? What is his name?"
"You won't like it, I'll warn you."
"Oh." Cynthia said disappointedly, "him. And we can't choose someone else, WHY?"
"Because," Steven whispered, suddenly getting very cross. "This isn't about you, or me, or any of us anymore. The fate of the lives we have all sworn to protect now stand in the balance, and if he doesn't help us, I doubt even we Elites could hold back this storm. It will be one thing to have the raw power of our military Captain, but without a leader with the strength to control him, it won't get us anywhere but six feet under."
By now, the entirety of the entire room had gone silent and everyone had turned their attention to Steven, who was standing over a now-collapsed Cynthia. Cynthia was sitting on the floor with tears in her eyes. Eventually, she spoke, her voice quivering.
"I-I am sorry, I was selfish, I realize this now. I promise to follow the plan without a word."
"Thank you, Cynthia. I don't expect you to act like you enjoy his presence, I only expect you to cooperate." Steven said while helping her up. "I did not wish to become so angry, but I have my father's temper."
"Steven." Red asserted, "We really need to go. Now."
"Right."
The three continued walking and were soon joined by Wallace, and then by the champions of the other regions, excluding Alder who had fallen asleep standing up. At last the group reached the far end of the room, and stood before a metal gate that was riddled with vines. Behind it, the sun shone warm and bright, and one could hear the sound of a motor. Red looked at Steven, who in return mouthed I didn't think he'd be this early! The group all walked outside to see a small army jeep come barrelling towards them from down a gravel road that lead to Evergrande City. The window tint of the vehicle was too dark to see through, but the atmosphere suddenly became so heavy in authority, that even some of the Champions felt the need to look towards the ground. Finally, it came screeching to a halt, skidding for almost twenty feet, and kicking up dirt all over the Champions! For a moment, all that anyone could do was stare at the jeep, until the door swung open, and out stepped a Lucario; in the open trunk, there sat a Scizor, obviously sizing them all up. While they all spectacled at the Scizor, they didn't notice someone exit the driver's seat.
"So are you guys gonna talk or are we just gonna stand out here all day!?" a loud voice suddenly bellowed. "I ain't got all day!"
Everyone jumped at the voice, and cringed slightly at the source. Before them stood a huge man, nearly seven feet tall. His body was finely sculpted, and packed with muscles - his arms and legs were huge, and apparently, he couldn't find a shirt big enough to fit him. He wore a beanie that fit carefully over his reddish-brown hair. His face was smiling and his laughter lines were very defined.
"Well?" He shouted, still smiling widely.
"A-hem," Steven finally sounded, "Welcome, Captain. I am the one who asked you to come here, and the one that will be assigning you your first mission."
"Great. But first, you got any food? I'm nearly half starved, and so is my buddy Roman," the Captain said, gesturing towards the Lucario. "Wait, there's one more. . . Loki! C'mon buddy! It's chow time!"
At that moment, a Zorua jumped out of the jeep, and onto the shoulder of the giant of a man. The Captain then let himself into the building, passing by the group of flabbergasted champions, and followed shortly by the Lucario. The Scizor remained in the trunk, watching them all carefully and remaining as motionless as a statue.
"I. . . guess we ought to feed him, eh?" chuckled Wallace, following them inside.
The meal did not last very long, as he quite literally inhaled most of the food.
"When did you last eat? You act like it's been a month!" Exclaimed Red.
"This morning!" He slurped, "you can call me Colby by the way!"
"Well then, Colby, shall we discuss the mission?" Steven asserted, "Because it's kind of important that we begin as soon as possible."
The Captain stopped eating, sat up straight, and his entire demeanor shifted to an erie seriousness. It was obvious that he remained a trained soldier. Even his Lucario and Zorua looked toward Steven intently.
"Please proceed, sir. I live for the cause." The Captain said, giving him his full attention.
"Steven, I would think it best explained with the holo-map," Red said. He agreed, and led them back to the room with the table.
Once they had all gathered around the table, Red pressed a switch on the wall which turned off all of the lights, and the tabletop began to glow a bluish-green. After a few moments, a picture appeared in the center of the table, and rose slowly upward until it hovered in the air - it was a picture of a hourglass being turned over repeatedly. After almost a minute, the hourglass disappeared and was quickly replaced by what looked like the Sinnoh region.
"This is where we need you to go," said Steven, pointing to the northern part of the region. "Your target is most likely near Snowbelle City, living alone. He should be considered armed and deadly, even for you - but you are not to harm him, because this isn't a kill mission."
"Then what am I supposed to do? Capture him?" the Captain asked.
"Recruit him," Wallace replied. "This man is going to be our leader."