John took a step back. Earl had grasped the training very quickly. That was good. That meant he didn't need John for a little while.
"Earl. I'm going to let you train on your own. When you can take out two of my pokemon with your whole team, then we'll move on to something harder," John said. He was going to battle Earl whenever he felt he was ready. John couldn't teach him that. He had to learn to trust his own judgement.
"Tell Shadow when you're ready, and she'll tell me," John said. He walked back to town. He was looking for trouble. Anything. He was bored.
"Hey! I want to battle you!" he heard. He smiled and turned around. A boy was walking toward him.
"Why should I battle you?" John asked.
"I saw you on TV! I'm gonna teach you some manners!" the boy said. John smiled and pulled out one of his pokeballs. The boy sent out a Fearow. John sent out Sparky. She needed some more experience. He put his hand on the Thunderstone in his pocket. Maybe he should evolve her soon. Teach her some fighting moves or something. She needed some diversity in what she could do.
The training was tough, but Earl had indeed caught on quickly. You wanted your Pokemon to be able to listen, but you also wanted them to be able to think for themselves. Earl agreed with this, and while John was teaching him, Earl already incorporated his team with it. It didn't take long for him to see what they could do with it, including his new Ferroseed, whom he had named Hera.
The next part, however, would be harder. John wanted Earl to be able to KO two of John's Pokemon, all of which were considerably stronger than Earl's. It would take a while, but Earl decided to figure out how his Pokemon ticked...
Leonidas was coming along nicely from his training. His physical moves seemed to be gaining significant power, and his Water Gun seemed to be following suit. His speed was also decent. It wasn't amazing by any stretch of the means, but it was decent. He also seemed to be good on the defensive end. Not as good as Hera, Judas, or Brutus though. However, despite evolving, his strength is now even with Brutus.
Judas was a heck of a defender AND an attacker, but it seems he leans more towards the defensive side of things. His Curse move gave him a severe handicap though... That would have to chage soon. His speed was EXTREMELY lackluster. Earl would need to work on that.
Brutus was exactly like Judas in that he was a great attacker and defender, but instead of defense, he was more offensive. He was also seeming to be more and more adamant about training to become stronger... Maybe Leonidas evolving lit a fire under his ass. His speed was also an issue, but Fake Out seemed to help correct the issue.
Joan is, without a doubt, the fastest of Earl's team. With her new techniques, she seems to be catching up well, but Earl has noticed her Quick Attack seems to be...weak. Maybe special moves are her thing? She is also the most frail member of Earl's team. For some reason, Earl has a feeling that won't be changing.
Mary is just...wow. That's all Earl can say. Despite being the second weakest defensively, her power EXCEEDS Brutus and Leonidas. She also seems to be packing quite a bit of speed. She also seems to know how to use special attacks well, but it is evident her Take Down technique is her strongest move.
Hera... Hera Hera Hera. Hera, as Earl has seen, is
SSSSSSSSSSSSLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW! Seriously, she makes Judas seem like Speedy Gonzales. However, she surpasses Judas and Brutus in the defensive end so bad that it seems that none of their moves could make a dent in her. While she is great in taking physical hits, she seems to be able to take special hits betters... Yeah, she's going to be a heck of a tank, especially with the fact that she can hit back, hard... Maybe Earl should teach her some moves that would REALLY help her... Including one that would take advantage of her lack of speed...
"All right team," began Earl, clearing his throat as his team surrounded him. Hera was still unsure about the group, but she seemed to be liking what they were doing so far. "We're gonna be going off in pairs to train. Mary, Brutus, you're a pair," said Earl as Mary and Brutus went to the side. Mary smirked at Brutus, who held up his right fist, taunting her.
"Judas, Joan, pair up."
Judas floated over to his spot as Joan quickly flew that way in a flash. Seems that her Speed Boost ability has been helping her out. Yeah, Judas was gonna have his hands full... Oh yeah, Judas knew Faint Attack. Scratch that, Joan was gonna have her hands full.
"Leonidas and Hera will make up the last pair. Good luck to you all and begin!"
As Leonidas and Hera paired up and immediately went after each other, all of Earl's other Pokemon did the same. Deciding to think about something, Earl opened his suitcase, taking out a notebook and pen as he jot down notes on the battles happening around him, thinking about the Man in Black...
... ((When you see three dots getting their own little paragraph, it means I'm switching perspectives from Earl to MiB (Man in Black).))
Things were going along smoothly for the Man in Black, or MiB as everyone called him. As his hazel eyes scouted through the men and women he had recruited to his cause, he secretly smiled to himself. Sure, no one else could see him smile, but what did that matter? He was the leader, and he was gonna lead his team to victory over the Human Alliance and Team Plazma.
"Almost too easy to have them switch sides, wouldn't you say my friend?" asked MiB as a black being appeared beside him. The figure was mostly black, appearing to be a ghost, and before you got to its head, you would see a blood-red spiky collar of sorts. The face was mostly black too, except the eye of this beast. The eye was bright blue, and it seemed to be the only thing that looked lively... Aside from the creepy fog-like white hair of sorts. Stuff moved like it was alive...
"Dark," said the Darkrai as it nodded to its partner, seeming to be happy. His partner had been planning seperating from the Human Alliance for a while, and it was now happening. Without the Human Alliance holding them down, they could finally go forward with their plans... But there was something to do first.
"Darkrai, return," said the Man in Black as Darkrai went in its Dusk Ball. As his team began dressing in their new black, white, red, and silver uniforms, the mysterious individual left the gigantic room, heading for the doors nearby. Upon opening the doors was a tall staircase, which led to an office of sorts. When MiB reached the door, he knocked, waiting on some kind of confirmation.
"Come in MiB."
With that, MiB walked into the office, his hazel eyes staring at the figure before him...
The Gentleman himself...
"I'm leaving," said MiB, his voice taking on a sound of seriousness that sounded as if there was no emotion. "And I'm taking some of your team with me. We're done with you and your views Gentleman."
"I know MiB. Alakazam told me you would leave me," said Gentleman as said Alakazam appeared beside him. As soon as Alakazam did appear, MiB noticed Mewtwo not too far as well.
"I figured he would," said MiB, tossing a Dusk Ball out, which opened to reveal Darkrai. The tension was in the air, and MiB wanted to be sure he and his team would get out of here alive. However, the Gentleman simply raised his hand.
"No worries. I wish not for a battle. You may go as soon as I have said what I have to say, and so may your team, including the former members of the Human Alliance and Team Plazma."
Curious as to this new development, MiB relaxed slightly, still making sure to be on his toes. Darkrai was as well, ready to do whatever it took to get out of there alive.
"I recruited you because of what position you held in Team Plazma. You were a high-ranking officer there," said the Gentleman, turning to his desk. "You were one of the best there, and, as of now, were one of the best here... However, I know what's happening."
MiB raised an eyebrow at this, not sure where the Gentleman was going with this.
"You have never agreed with Team Plazma's or the Human Alliance's views on humans and Pokemon. You have always believed that as partners, humans and Pokemon are unstoppable. So, you decided to work for both organizations to learn of their plans..."
MiB only smiled again. The Gentleman was smart afterall. He was no fool.
"Now with your knowledge, you have decided to make a team. This team, as you believe, will be able to stop both the Human Alliance and Team Plazma, thus allowing yourselves to rise to power. I like that sort of brilliance."
"Glad you agree Gentleman," said MiB, lightly chuckling as Darkrai turned to him.
"However, I hate to break it to you, but you will not lead your team against me. In fact, you will be dying soon."
"What?"
"You heard me MiB. You will die," said the Gentleman as if he was telling the weather. It was so matter-of-factly that MiB knew not to question it... He knew of his fate already.
"That's not news to me. I'm gonna die anyways."
"Not by cancer, but by someone's hand."
"
HOW DID YOU KNOW?!" yelled MiB. He had told NO ONE about him having cancer... Well, he did tell his father, but his father never associated himself with the Human Alliance. Still though, that wasn't important... He was gonna die by someone's hand?
"Who's?"
"Remember that boy you fought in Jackson, MS?"
"Yeah."
"His."
"Ah... I see."
"You aren't surprised?"
"No, I'm not. After what I've done, I probably deserve it," replied MiB, now in deep thought about the young man... Earl.
"Yes, well it seems he has a future much like John's and Israel's," said the Gentleman now, smiling behind his mask as MiB took off his mask, revealing a bald head and a face that showed battle scars. This was starting to be a bit much for him... His hazel eyes though seemed to have a distant look about him. MiB knew what the Gentleman meant by what he said. The Gentleman had told MiB that much about Alakazam's visions.
"You mean his future isn't certain?" asked MiB, actually worried.
"Yes, but there are four things certain about his future," began the Gentleman as MiB tilted his head questioningly.
"First, he will kill you."
"We know this."
"Second, he will lead an army. What is this army? I do not know."
MiB, however, already did know who that army was.
"Third, he will fight Israel throughout both of their journeys, and the last is that he will try to fight the Human Alliance and Team Plazma with his army. Rather he succeeds or not remains to be seen."
With all that he heard, MiB returned Darkrai to his Dusk Ball and put his mask back on, covering the bald head and his scars, but not his hazel eyes.
"Is that all?" asked MiB, ready to head out with his team. The Gentleman simply nodded as MiB began walking out.
"Is there anything that can-"
"Nothing will change my mind Gentleman," said MiB as he walked out of the office and down the stairs, back to the large room from before. The men and women of his team had already changed into their uniforms, each with a giant silver "L" stamped on the fronts of the shirts. They were ready to leave and begin their new lives, each as a unique part of the team. They might be many, but they are one now.
"
LEGION!
MOVE OUT!" shouted MiB as the members of Legion began walking out of the large room. As to why they are called Legion? Well, for they are many.