Project Sarpal
By: Theodore Leung
The winds were bitter, but could never be as bad as the previous night’s storm. Never the less, it was still cold, though Ryna continued through the cold weather, unhindered by the temperature. She blazed on, never slowing down for anything.
"I’ll never get used to this weather," Lin muttered, wrapping herself inside Ryna’s jacket. She shivered, remembering how it was like last night.
"Then don’t come," Ryna replied softly, yet angrily. Lin stopped shivering, just held onto the jacket in an attempt to show her determination.
"You could at least relax a bit you know," Simon told Ryna, walking a bit faster to get beside the Pallet Town trainer. Ryna remained silent, continuing on without deviation. "Fine, don’t listen then," Simon muttered, deciding to take his place behind the trainer again.
"How do you put up with her?" Amy whispered to her trainer once they were out of hearing distance.
"If you lost someone close to you, but knew you could somehow get them back, how would you feel?" Simon answered in the form of a question. Amy quieted down, understanding slightly what Ryna was going through.
"It must be hard to bottle your emotions like that," Amy told Simon after a brief amount of time. Simon nodded, sighing. Their objective was now within sight. The facility its self was large, bigger then the gym back at the city. Despite the time, the building was still intact. There were little signs of erosion over the period that it was abandoned.
"Nice place," Ryna whispered sarcastically, stopping in front of the main glass doors. Simon stopped beside her, looking around the facility.
"It was well built to last through this test of time," Simon commented, trying to pull open the door, which was obviously locked. "Looks like we’ll need to find another way in."
"No we don’t," Ryna replied after examining the surroundings. She picked up a large rock, about the size of her fist, and chucked it with all her strength at the door, smashing the glass. Shards flew everywhere. Everyone but Ryna covered his or her faces to protect against the glass that shattered even further when hitting the floor. "Come on," Ryna commanded emotionlessly, walking into the facility. There was a scratch on her cheek, though she never took the time to rub the wound.
"Ryna, you should get that wound checked," Simon said, walking into the facility, his shoes crushing the glass on the ground. Lin jumped onto his shoulder in order to avoid the sharp objects from harming her.
"Later," Ryna replied, examining the reception area. There was a sense of desertion. The air was musty, dust piled everywhere, boxes topple throughout the room, chairs knocked over, a computer smashed at the desk.
"Must’ve left quickly," Amy muttered, bypassing the glass. Her gaze went from left to right.
"Yeah, must’ve," Simon whispered sombrely. Lin jumped down from Simon’s shoulder, looking up at him.
"You okay?" she asked, twitching her ear in concern. Simon looked down at the small mouse, smiling.
"I’m okay," he replied in a completely different tone. "The facility just gives me the creeps." He looked back up, seeing Ryna already treading down one of the hallways from the reception area. Simon tensed up, wondering if it was wise to stop the trainer.
"Let her be," Lin answered as if she were reading his mind. She also turned to watch Ryna leave. "This may be a good time to leave her alone." Simon nodded, examining his remaining choices.
"This way," he said, pointing towards the left corridor. He made his way towards his target, the two Pokémon following behind.
* * * * * *
Ryna walked down the hallway, each side was lined up with doors leading to individual rest chambers. Her footsteps echoed throughout the building, a sense of sorrow and pain vibrating down the abandoned building.
"You were here, Tim," Ryna told herself, her voice echoing in front of her with the same sense of pain and sorrow. "Why didn’t you stay?" she whispered, a tear forming on her cheek. She quickly rubbed the tear away, examining the drop on her hand. There was blood, her own blood. It was from the wound she suffered at the entrance. "I’d draw blood if it meant to get you back…" she told the air, the scent of the Phoenix everywhere. It was a sweet feeling, yet bitter at the same time. "Do you even want me to find you?" Ryna whispered, stopping. She looked at her right, seeing the door wide open, the sun shining through the little window. On the center of a table lay a small, gray book. Ryna looked inside inquisitively, wondering who would leave the room wide open like this before leaving the facility.
The room was quite neat. The bed at the corner was properly folded. Paper and files were stacked on the desk on the opposite side. In the center of the room sat the table where the gray book lay, four chair neatly tucked in at each side of the square. The fact that there were occupants in this facility struck the trainer, but it didn’t stop her from going in and examining the contents of the book.
August 16
We’ve finally discovered a way to infuse humans with Pokémon DNA. The DNA of an Eevee has a strange ability to destabilize human DNA. We hypothesized this to be true since Eevee DNA itself is quite ecstatic, being able to evolve through three different elemental stones. The DNA acts as a decomposition reagent to the human DNA. In order to stabilize the subject, we would infuse other Pokémon DNA. It is an interesting process that is worth while to take. We will begin experimentation once we obtain some Eevee samples to use.
"Must be someone’s diary," Ryna commented, flipping over to the next page.
August 22
Project Sarpal is now under way. Our intent is to successfully combine Lapras DNA with Human DNA in order to make a human/Pokémon hybrid. Our rivals from Cinnabar Island have already developed such a hybrid, but have failed to give the subjects Pokémon powers. We intend to be the first to succeed in this project. Also, we have sent data to our colleagues, allowing them to begin such testing with Pokémon that inhabit their region. We pray for success in the near future.
"Fun," Ryna muttered sarcastically. She flipped the page, continuing onto the story of the writer.
September 1
Unbelievable. Our original test subject has died during the procedure. The formulas were right, the amount of serum injected into the subject should have kept him alive. We don’t have much time. Funding is running out. The project must not die.
"It died anyway," Ryna told the book for no reason. She flipped the page, continuing to soak up the content provided.
September 6
Funding began to pick up again. Team Rocket has taken interest in our organization. As much as I hate them, we have little choice. Our options are now limited. Suffering from another three deaths, only Team Rocket had the guts to continue to fund our program. I just hope Team Rocket doesn’t have a second agenda.
"Team Rocket always has a second agenda," Ryna whispered, sighing. The book was interesting, providing some answers to this Human/Pokémon fusion project. Still, whomever this book belonged wouldn’t just leave it here. Ryna was silent, flipping over to the next page for more information.
* * * * * *
"This is where I found my little listening devices," Simon told Lin, entering a square room. On each wall piled up shelves, drawers attacked to each shelve in by the tens. "Most of these little safety deposit boxes are unlocked, though only hold things of little value or nothing. Anything that might have been worth any value was probably already ransacked by previous people who broke in." Simon tried to pull open one of the boxes, only to be set back by the locking mechanism within. Lin jumped onto his shoulder.
"Locked?" she asked, though not needing an answer. Amy walked up beside Simon, wondering what he was thinking.
"It’s electronically locked," Simon told Lin, placing his hand against the locked box. Lin ran up Simon’s arm, stood on his wrist. She placed her hand on the box as well. Simon wondered what the Pikachu was going to do. Ina few seconds, she released a small electric charge through the box. Once complete, the box clicked.
"Make that was electronically locked," Lin said, leaping down. She was grinning from ear to ear with her work. Simon nodded, smiling back, then pulled the box out.
"Hold it," the voice ordered, definitely doing its effect. Simon froze in position, the drawer half-open. "Turn around," the voice commanded next. Simon obeyed, turning around to face the new comer.
"And you are?" Simon asked, examining the tall interloper. He wore blue jeans and a green vest over his black T-shirt. The male wore a sun hat for no apparent reason. He adjusted the glasses he wore so it fit better for now.
"I should be asking you the same buddy," he replied, placing a hand into his jeans’ pocket. "Just what the heck are you thinking of doing here?"
"I could ask you the same, friend," Simon answered, emphasizing ‘friend’. The man smiled, dropping a Pokéball the ground. The ball instantly opened, the Hitmonchan revealing himself in a flash. The Hitmonchan swung a few practice punches, arms raised, ready for combat.
"Answer or Ripper here will make you," the man threatened. Simon grinned, knowing he had the definite advantage. Amy’s psychic blast could knock out Ripper before he tried anything.
"And if Ripper tries anything, Amy here can decimate him," Simon retorted, not moving from his position. The man looked between the two Pokémon and the trainer, adjusting his sun hat.
"We’re not getting anywhere," he answered, his arm falling to his side. "Let’s just introduce each other, and work from there." He raised his hand in a friendly gesture.
"Name’s Simon," the gym leader introduced, shaking the hand. "As you know, my Jynx here is Amy. The Pikachu isn’t mine, but her name is Lin."
"Nice to meet you all," the other trainer replied, letting go of Simon’s hand. "They call me Carter, and you already know about Ripper."
"Well, now that the introductions are out of the way, I guess we better start talking," Simon replied. He exhaled, picking up Lin. "We came here because Lin’s trainer wanted to come. She wanted to find someone, and believed that he came here. We went our separate ways for now." Lin ran up Simon’s arm, then continued to open the small drawer they previously opened. "And what are you doing here?"
"Well, to put it bluntly, I live here," Carter replied.
* * * * * *
September 14
We’ve lost more subjects. No matter what our calculations are, they die. We do not inject enough Lapras DNA to keep the subject alive. It’s all so confusing, the formulas should be right. I don’t understand what’s wrong. The same things have happened to our colleagues at Mt. Moon. Project Chimera is suffering from the same problems that we have. We have not heard anything else from our other research facilities, though we are expecting the same things to happen.
"There was more then one project?" Ryna asked herself. Her interest was far from being abated, flipping over to the next entry in the diary.
September 16
We know we are getting closer to our correct formula. The subjects are becoming more and more stable, however still unstable enough to die. Our resources are also split. Half the science team was reassigned to work on this metal that can be used to form a catalyst alloy. The element, dubbed Pokément, was found in small quantities amongst our deceased subjects. It seems so inhumane to do such an experiment, but it is for the purpose of science. I just hope these atrocities will stop soon.
"My God…" Ryna whispered, almost dropping the book. She lifted her diamond shaped pendant, staring at it in disbelief. "I-I-I don’t believe it…" Ryna was tempted to stop reading, but her curiosity got the better of her.
September 20
More deaths in our experiments. As close as we are to the solution, I’m not sure we can take much more of these loses. We are relying more and more on Team Rocket funding in order to succeed; something I wish that never came to. Our one consolidation is that our research team on Pokément is progressing with little troubles. Hopefully, their success can mean more funding from other sources.
Ryna didn’t comment, only curiously turned to the next page to this diary that reveals to her something that may be best off unrevealed.
September 23
They’ve done it. The team has successfully made an alloy out of Pokément. The shape we used to mold the alloy was a snowflake, which we will most likely turn into a pendant. Once we show this to our sponsors, they will have to increase funding.
"Another pendant?" Ryna asked herself, wondering if it was in this somewhere in this facility. She quickly flipped the page, hoping for more clues.
* * * * * *
"It’s very pretty," Lin commented, lifting the contents out of the box for everyone to see. As if on cue, everyone took a step closer, wondering what the contents of the locked box were. The Pikachu unveiled the item, revealing a pendant shaped like a snowflake. The design was simple, yet puzzling at the same time. Carter was even more interested, moving closer.
"It’s the same as mine," he replied after a brief analysis. "Pokément alloy pendants."
"Wha?" Simon asked, wondering just what the heck Carter was talking about. Carter looked up at Simon, knowing that he didn’t know anything.
"Here," Carter replied, removing a sword shaped pendant from under his shirt. Simon examined the two different pendants, unable to see the similarities between them. "Pokément alloy, in one sentence, makes Pokémon stronger. They allow hidden abilities in Pokémon to surface, such as unique attacks or unknown evolutions."
"Wait a minute, how do you know all this?!" Lin exclaimed, suspicious about how this person was able to know so much that should’ve been a Cinnabar Special Forces thing.
* * * * * *
September 25
Project Sarpal is complete! We have successfully merged Lapras DNA with Human DNA in a small baby female. Oh, the joy of it all. Our experiments are over! Now all we need to do is observe. Analysis has already begun. The Pokément pendant is also interesting. When Pokémon are exposed to the pendant for a long period of times, they begin to change. Some show signs of attacks that were unknown to anyone. Some have evolved faster then science has known to record. The effects are extraordinary. Analysis will sure to reveal much information that has been hidden to us before.
"So Sarpal, you were born on this day…" Ryna muttered angrily. It was so cruel to use humans as experiments, even if it was for ‘the good of science’.
September 28
Sarpal has shown amazing abilities. She is undisturbed by cold temperatures. She even has shown slight abilities of Pokémon attacks, such as creating high-pressured water. It may only be a matter of time till she can use attacks such as Ice Beam. We constantly wonder what the effects are if we allow Sarpal to carry the Pokément pendant. We will hold the pendant until she is old enough.
"Yeah, you won’t have for that long," Ryna whispered, somehow savoring the moment that they would eventually lose the project.
October 2
The unthinkable has happened. Sarpal has been kidnapped from our facility. We have already searched for four hours, and nothing has come up. Our first suspect is Team Rocket, but we have no proof nor do we have any intention to stand up against Team Rocket. Standing up to them would mean certain doom. We could only pray.
"Yeah, if only you people knew the half of it," Ryna told the diary sarcastically. She closed the book, reading enough, getting a feeling of satisfaction when reading the last entry.
* * * * * *
"There’s a diary in my room," Carter explained, leading the others to his room in the massive facility. "It explains a lot, especially about Project Sarpal."
"What?!" Simon exclaimed, wondering how Sarpal got into this conversation in the first place.
"Project Sarpal is an experiment the scientists in this facility were completing, or better yet, have completed," Carter explained, turning the next corner. "It was a successful merge of Lapras DNA and Human DNA."
"Impossible…" Simon muttered, unable to believe that one of his closest friends was an experiment. "Does Sarpal know?" he asked.
"Sarpal? The experiment is said to have gone missing, stolen by Team Rocket," Carter answered, wondering if there was a connection between both Sarpal’s. Simon was hoping it was only a coincidence that the two names match. "Anyway, that pendant Lin found is suppose to belong to Sarpal, as the hybrid is known to be called." He turned the next corner, seeing Ryna leave his room. "Hey!" Carter shouted, running to catch up with the intruder. Ryna halted, glancing over at the man, then moving on. "What the hell are you doing?!" he demanded.
"Looking for Tim," Ryna replied monotonously. "Nothing here that can give me any clues." Carter stopped, shocked.
"Did you say…Tim…from Cinnabar Island? Trains a Moltres?" Carter asked, praying that it was the same person.
"Yes…" Ryna whispered, turning around. "Do you know where he is?" Ryna asked, hoping the man could provide some clues.
"No, I’m sorry, but I don’t. We were friends though," Carter answered, the two disappointed that neither could provide information about the location of their lost friend.
"Hold, just who the heck are you?" Lin asked. It was strange that this person would know so much, and have a pendant that is similar to Ryna’s and Sam’s and Tim’s.
"Carter, former Cinnabar Special Forces soldier, under command of Commander Finn," he told them briefly yet briskly.
<Fin>
Author’s Note
Okay people, if you need to know more about Project Chimera, go read Pokémon Revelation (http://www.saqnet.co.uk/users/nightopia/pokereve.htm) by GTK.