Chimera

By: Theodore Leung

TheoLeung@Sprint.ca

Co-Written By: Gallop T. Kelpie

gtkelpie@hotmail.com

The trek was long, and we probably weren’t even half way there. Still, it was very reassuring to know my trainer was back to her old self. In another part of my mind, I felt sad. I might’ve been able to stop her from deteriorating so much. It was almost the point of no return before she regained her true self. I know Amy probably would’ve told me other wise, but still, I feel responsible. Of all the times we’ve traveled together, being the second Pokémon she received, and that was very early in her trip, I’ve never seen her so down…so depressed…almost suicidal at times. Maybe I’m just exaggerating, but still, I feel deeply responsible for her…even if she takes care of me more often then the vice versa.

"Hey, are you okay?" she asked, not my trainer…only another like me. I glanced up at the Jynx walking beside me. I usually enjoyed perching on top of my trainer’s shoulder or head when it comes to travelling, but at this moment, I feel I should distance myself from her…I don’t know why though…

"I’m okay," I replied, forcing a faint smile. That smile must’ve looked fake because she didn’t believe me.

"Are you sure?" she asked again, more concern in her tone. I admired Amy for her concern towards others. For the few days I’ve actually got to know her, she always looks out for the ones around her.

"It’s nothing Amy," I quickly told the Ice type, twitching my tail nervously. "Don’t concern yourself too much," I concluded, running up ahead to avoid any other conversation.

I feel like Ryna now: alone…isolated…betrayed. At least, that’s what I believed Ryna to have thought when we began this second journey of ours. Maybe Tim and Ryna were closer to each other then I thought…maybe I should’ve seen this coming…maybe I should’ve helped more…I could’ve help Ryna…if only I saw it coming…I…

"What’s on your mind?" she asked, lifting me up. I didn’t realize I deviated so closely to her. I gazed into her eyes, as she held me up to eye level. I never understood how she could hear what I could say until we were at Cinnabar Island. Genetic splicing, how nice, how interesting…how utterly inhumane. How Ryna could endure such a thought, it was beyond me.

"Lin?" she asked, repeating her previous question, though not in complete verbal context, she just did.

"It’s nothing," I quickly answered, breaking free from her grip and perching on her shoulder. The forest was ahead…our destination. There was a strange silence between the group, a silence that could eat away at anyone.

Ryna accepted my answer with little more then a nod, though I can tell by in her eyes that she still felt concerned. The same type of concern I felt for her when she began this second journey. I’m happy to see her in such spirits…yet, I myself feel like I should do more for her. Nevertheless, I feel happy for her true self to be back, and am happy to accompany her anywhere we go.

* * * * * *

My name…it doesn’t matter what my name is…all that matters is this void. Darkness…blackness…many words could describe this zone of blindness, and yet, they would not be able to describe it completely, either alone or with the others…nothing could describe this place…nothing.

The closest thing that could this hell…is well…hell. The void…yet…it wasn’t. I know I wasn’t dead. I could still feel myself…I was whole…at least my body was.

It was cold, yet, it was warm at the same time. There is something here…yet, there is nothing. I cannot describe the contents of this…hell…it is my hell.

Damn researchers…damn experiments…

Time has no existence in this domain. To be technical…time still exist…I just don’t feel it anymore…this isolation has rotted my mind…time has no meaning to me anymore…just to leave this hell is all I ask for.

I don’t remember my form…I don’t even remember what I am…I only know…I am a Pokémon…in an experiment …and now…I’m trapped…like a rat…

I only hope for the salvation of my soul before it is crushed by this hideous experiment.

* * * * * *

"Is this it?" my trainer asked. I couldn’t believe it myself…but still…one could just feel this is the destination. By the way the doors were busted, bent off the their hinges, like it was forcefully blasted outwards…you just know you have to be here when you have to. Of course, no one needed to say this…they all could tell.

"So, what are we waiting for?" the small Pikachu asked. There was silence, but Ryna, being the courageous one she is, took the first steps and entered the destroyed building. I just hope something in this building can help us in our search for certain lost comrades. Her Pokémon followed. Carter next, then Simon. I glanced over at Ripper, who seemed to mentally push me inside. Without protest, I entered the building, meeting with a large lobby…very large. Still, material was rotted away…wires chewed on…light fixtures shattered. The rats must’ve had a nice time in this place. Multiple corridors meet their every gaze, provoking their minds on which direction to head towards.

"Where to then?" I asked. The map of the facility that hung on the wall was torn to shreds, though you can tell by the drawings and how the lined up that it was the map. By my guess…all the important stuff is further down…just which way is the question.

"Center…" Carter answered, though his guess for that reason was as good as mine. Still, at least deciding on this direction was a start. No one protested, we just drifted towards that general direction, as if drawn by a superior force.

Actually, that sounded dumb, but at least it got the description through. It was hard to describe it in any other way.

Never mind that, the journey would be a hard one, in body and soul. The silence was starting to get to me…

I glanced over at Ripper, who didn’t seem to mind. He had that same stare he always had since I first encountered him. I’m not sure if he was always like that…or if it was induced on him though other means…it’s all just a mystery…

"AAHHH!!" she screamed out, nearly dropping down a level. I glanced forward, noticing Ryna ahead, her right leg crashing through the floor, though Carter caught and steadied her. She nodded her gratitude, then clambered back up.

"Rotten floorboards…watch were you step," Simon warned, though everyone knew that warning was a bit too late and redundant now. Well, better to be warned late then never I guess. Ryna nodded, taking her steps at a slower pace to avoid such accident.

It was hard to see in front of us. The lights flickered on random intervals, some dead with no power. The ill illumination was a difficult obstacle, though not impassible. Carter eventually revealed to us flashlights that he carried, though warned that they were limited in power. Again, we were thankful, noting that anything could help at the moment. We decided to only use one flashlight for the time to conserve energy.

Eventually, we hit the end of the corridor, where we were greeted by a shut door, fortunately not locked. Ryna forced it open, with a small extra force from Carter. The two nearly fell into the next room, sending a small set of giggles around the group, though not really raising much spirits. We continued on left…

There was something here…something evil…something inhumane…something that should not exist…

* * * * * *

There…there is a presence here…

Those researchers…revealing…no…implanting latent psychic abilities into me…

A curse…as I can still feel the ones outside this shell…this prison…yet…I have not felt a human or Pokémon presence in the latter half of the time I was here…

My salivation perhaps? No…they are not heading towards here…they are…going somewhere else…there destination is not my ‘home’.

She can sense me…she knows I’m here…and she is very afraid of what I am…

Another two…a hybrid…part human…part Pokémon…also a victim of such atrocities, yet, they are not concerned…they are actually partially happy with such a…transformation.

How despicable. How pathetic. Who could appreciate something like this? I can’t believe my fellow Pokémon could follow the lead of such…chimeras.

"Who are you?" she reached out…destroying my thought. I gazed up, for what ever purpose, I am not sure. The psychic type…heart so cold…yet warm. A Jynx…

"Be gone!" I shouted out, both aloud and mentally.

* * * * * *

She gave a loud yelp, though it didn’t startle me. Amy feel over, being surprised by something only she could see or hear. Still, no concern of mine. I’m just here to follow my trainer. Well, I would consider calling him my leader…since I train myself…and I follow him around. He has told me countless times that I can leave at my own will, but I still stay by his side.

I’ve been though a lot since I’ve met Carter…and very few things in life amaze or surprise me to this moment. Still, it was short startle when the Jynx landed in my arms. I wasn’t sure if I moved close to her or if she moved close to me, but she was thankful for the catch.

"What happened?" I asked, though that startled me even more. I almost never ask that question when something like this happened. Carter gave me a cursious glance. Am I getting soft? I’m not sure…

"I-It’s nothing…" the Jynx stammered, catching her breath, as though someone stole it from her. I nodded, helping back up to her ‘feet’. She thanked me again, then we continued on, only Simon inquiring Amy about the cause of such a fright. Again, she declined to tell, only saying it was nothing of concern.

I don’t know why I’m bothering myself with such trivial matters. If she says it’s nothing, then it’s nothing.

Still, I could feel something is wrong. You don’t have to be psychic to tell something is going to happen in here. Just the environment alerts you of such danger. It’s just some people or Pokémon notice better then others. Me? I could tell from the second step inside that something was wrong. I guess Amy just found out too. Well…no use brooding over it…what comes, comes.

Ryna released a loud sigh, activating her own flashlight, as the corridor was much dimmer. My ‘trainer’ whacked away some spider webs that grew on the facility. Cables hung from the ceiling, though not active from lack of power. Some of the ceiling panels were fallen, others cracked, the last few destroyed. There were small holes in the ceiling, though no one cared to point out that detail.

I’m used to travelling in silence…but with a group so big…you would expect more. The silence…it gives me the impression that they know…know something is absolutely wrong. I can tell, they can tell…something is going to happen…something bad…something big.

* * * * * *

Something was wrong. Just standing outside this research facility gave you that impression. Previously Team Rocket controlled, now nothing but a large mess that no one cleaned up.

I sighed as much as Flareon could sigh, then stared up at my trainer. Friend, comrade…trainer didn’t seem the right word to describe the relationship between us. It was a strong bond…something that we couldn’t sever even if we wished it to happen.

He knew I was depressed. He knew I shouldn’t have come, but he knew I would follow him, no matter what.

I regret what I have done in Celestial City. If I could see Flare, I would apologize…I’m not better then those gangsters who stalk the streets, looking for easy targets. Flare is lucky to have such friends to help.

Again I sighed, looking up at my trainer. He stood in front of the facility, staring blankly at it. We lost our friend...and now...revenge is on his mind. Former Cinnabar Special Forces officer, now Team Rocket Agent. He changed sides willingly, if only to be able to face off with Tim and destroy his soul if not his life. Revenge has blinded his judgement, though he still retains his sanity.

Scouts reported the one called Ryna to be sighted here, and wherever she was, Tim can’t be far ahead. It was quite obvious that Ryna has new travel companions. Reports indicate that one is the former Glacier City Gym Leader, though the identification of the second is still blurry. It didn’t matter, we were here, the target was in there.

My friend only had two Pokémon with him, one being me. He only needed two. In the terms of training, we were well trained, unlike most other Team Rocket Pokémon. The one sad part about Team Rocket is its lack of potential ‘trainers’. They all have their Pokémon and think they are invincible, thus not training their Pokémon to their full potential. Sad, but true.

The small, familiar clicking of a locket echoed through my ears. My trainer closed his locket, the one he carried that held memories. Memories of friends, one dead, the other now the enemy.

"Ready?" he asked, though he knew the answer. I didn’t bother replying, and he nodded at my silence. Within those few seconds, we headed into the once active facility, the one that housed Chimera.

* * * * * *

I exhaled, happy to get by yet another obstacle in this facility. Our group ascended the final flight of stairs to the top, sticking close to the sides since the middle seemed very dangerous, being as Simon’s foot smashed through the staircase once he stepped in the middle. We knew from that experience to keep to the edge, and move very slowly just incase something else were to happen.

Of course when we reached to top, it was not surprising that we ran into another door which was also busted. It was completely blown off, and by the looks of the door, was smashed from the inside. Possibly an explosion, though looked like more of brute force, by the way the hinges themselves were bent outwards.

"I wonder what could’ve made a mess like that?" Simon inquired, taking a few steps closer.

"Do you really want to know?" Carter asked, a slight tone of sarcasm in his voice.

"I guess not…" Simon muttered, hoping who or what ever did this is gone now. He shuddered, probably thinking of what could’ve made such a place look like a war zone and close it down. Ryna nodded in agreement, looking down at me, wondering if I was okay. I quickly nodded, then dashed into the next room. I released a tiny gasp, paralyzed on the spot once I saw the contents of the room.

Cages lined up the walls, systematically, each numbered. They took their toll over time, some corroded, others bent. Equipment was also lined up about, needles, clamps, scapulas, syringes, it was all so horrifying. These…apparatuses…used in experiments in this room. How sickening! My stomach began to turn at such a thought, and I quickly shut them out of my mind.

I could here Simon moan, apparently trying to hold in his lunch. I shuddered at the thought, being clamped down and operated on. I glanced over at my trainer. She stood their, silent, stiff, but by the way Ryna’s eyes were shaking, I could tell her mind was in turmoil. Such experiments…Ryna was one of them…

I shuddered again at such a thought. My trainer…an experiment in her childhood…and here she is now…going through much more then someone her age should need to go through.

She hurried along, making it to the other end of the room in a few long strides, the dual slide doors jammed open by fallen debris. The socket where to place such a keycard was destroyed, sparks flailing about from time to time. In a small leap, I hopped over the debris and scanned the room.

It was small, dimly lit by a red light, probably active by an emergency generator. This room had power, and a computer terminal. If it works, we could access certain files to understand that this place was used for. I took a step forward, trampling over paper. The floor was littered with it. After a brief look, I concluded that most of these were pictures of DNA. Well, actually, some of the sheets were labeled as being DNA charts for certain Pokémon, so I didn’t really conclude, just read.

"Hey, I found something…"Carter told us, his fingers tapping the keyboard of the terminal. He was quick. With a few more clicks, two windows opened on the screen, both revealing profiles of two individuals. I hopped onto the incline, hopping to get a better view of the screen.

"Let’s see…Tetsuo Masuda…" Ryna read off the screen. "Test subject for Project Chimera…"

"Rena Masuda, also a subject of Project Chimera…" Simon read the other, confused. "What’s Project Chimera?"

"It’s basically the Mt. Moon equivalent to Project Sarpal…" Ryna whispered, saddened by how such experiments could be done to humans, especially ones so young.

"Status…alive," Carter told them, scrolling down the list of other subjects. "They seem to be the only ones who survived the ordeal."

"How horrible," I whispered. I decidedly remained quite for the whole time, though both Amy and Ripper were also silent, even more silent then me. To think that so many lives were abused for such…twisted experiments…

"I got something else…a video file…of the latest Project Chimera experiment," Carter said, tapping the keyboard. "Shall I punch it up?" There was a consensus, though I had a feeling we would regret it. With a few quick keystrokes, the file opened, revealing to us the film.

* * * * * *

The tape was jerky and grainy, and only seemed to display in shades of gray.

Numbers at the bottom of the screen showed the date and time, suggesting that it was some sort of securicam readout. In fact, the viewpoint backed this idea up. The camera was looking down from a high corner into the big cage room. As the soundless scene progressed, two white-coated figures walked onset, one carrying a long pole, the other holding something that couldn't easily be seen due to the angle. The watchers' attention was drawn to something just off-center in the camera's view; a cage with a long,
sinuous form in it. It was a crush cage, a special container which could be reduced in size to subdue wild animals. Inside it was a Dratini. The dragon could barely move, but it managed to jerk as the figures approached.


The second of the figures held out his hand, revealing the object that had been hidden. In his grasp was a hypodermic syringe. The Dratini bucked and thrashed in its cage. The scientist attempted to get ahold of the squirming creature through the mesh, but it was wriggling too much and he had to draw back or risk crushing his hand. The other figure came forward and held out his pole. The dragon's struggles intensified.

Suddenly, the pole jabbed into the animal's side. They couldn't hear the
crack, of course, but they saw the Dratini's form jerk uncontrollably at the electric shock. The dragon subsided, and the second figure knelt beside it to inject whatever he had come to inject.

Suddenly, the Dratini lifted its head and seemed to stiffen. Both figures leaped back. The dragon type began to buck and thrash, its body slamming against the sides of the cage; they could see the mesh shaking. Then a momentary flash blinded the camera; the white cleared, and they saw the rest of the evolution complete. The Dratini's body lengthened and became more graceful; too large for the cage, it burst out, shattering the mesh. The figures leaped up and ran from the camera's view. The newly evolved Dragonair then just seemed to go mad; it flung itself against everything in sight, smashing what it could. It even chewed on the remains of its cage.

After several seconds of this, the flailing tail hit the camera dead on, and the tape changed to static.

<Fin>

Author’s Note:

Well, that was very interesting. I’d like to thank Gallop T. Kelpie for providing me such information to this facility. Besides, it is his facility. Thanks G! On another note, expect a little bit more intervention from GTK’s part in these fics. We have agreed in cross casting characters. There will be a point in this story where characters dramatically change, and it will be explained. If you wish to comment, you may send comments to either me or Gallop.