-As Kris' plight worsens, she not only finds herself fighting for her life, but also against the beast within. Will she lose her human side forever? Nineteenth in a series.

Pokemon and all related trademarks belong to Nintendo. The story, its original contents and ideas, and any original characters belong to the author and cannot be used or reprinted without the author's permission.

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Feral Scream

By Gregory Stephen nightdragon0@hotmail.com

Kris

Time no longer had any meaning to me.

I lost track of just how long I spent in that cage, hidden on a Team Rocket boat, bound for a place I could only think of as my future prison.

I was kept tied up and restrained the whole time. The stiffness in my muscles was absolutely killing me. At least they didn't starve me, with some guy throwing in a piece of meat every now and then.

The boat was apparently making rounds, picking up various agents and Pokemon, before heading back to one of the Team Rocket bases.

I knew we'd arrived when the boat stopped moving for a long time and the sounds of men shouting and machine grinding could be heard.

Finally, came my turn.

Three Rockets approached my cage, two dim-witted underlings and one bearded man who looked like the standard army commander everyone hated. All three were armed with long shafts, probably electrical Shock Sticks.

"They said this one was real nasty." One of them told the bearded man.

"Well, let's see then."

He made the mistake of pulling off my muzzle, after which I promptly sank my fangs into his hand.

"Ow! Dammit!"

I was immediately jabbed by the Shock Sticks, sending a piercing pain shooting up to my brain, preventing me from doing anything else.

"We told you so."

"Grrrr ... shut up wise guy. And help me."

Holding me firmly, they strapped the muzzle back on and dragged me off. My arms were still bound behind my back, and so were my wings. But my legs were free and I kicked about wildly as they attempted to restrain me.

I could see that the boat had docked at a hidden pier, some distance into a cave. Unfortunately, Team Rocket had many bases like this, so it was impossible to tell where I was.

"Damn thing! Stay still!" The bearded man cursed.

"It's a Scyther, what did you expect?" One of the others said. "There's a reason why these are hard to catch."

"And where are those idiots with the tranquilizers?"

As I kicked about, I un-intentionally hit a leaver. It so happened to be the release for a crane that was lifting several crates out of the boat. The crates fell, hitting the underground dock and shattering, sending several men running for their lives.

The bearded man smacked me several times, so hard that I hit the floor in pain.

"Think you're a wise guy, now do you?" He snarled.

"Sarge, it's a girl by the way." One of his companions commented.

"How would you know?" The Sergeant asked.

"Because, unlike you, I actually went to school. I've also heard that female Scyther tend to be a lot more rebellious."

"Really? Now that's interesting. We'll see how tough she really is once I'm through with her." The Sarge grabbed me by the muzzle and pulled my head up so he cold stare directly into my eyes.

"I am your master now ... Swordia."

He jabbed the electrical stick against my chest, shocking me into submission.

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Jade

My prey lay before me. Screaming, as it should be. Crying out in fear. Knowing that death was near.

I was ready, poised to make the kill.

And yet ... why did I hesitate?

His words, they meant nothing to me? Or did they? Did I know them some how?

No ... I knew no one. I fought and battled alone. I followed my instincts.

But why, why did they seem to tell me that something was not right?

It seemed I had hesitated for too long. Another one appeared, a Dragonair. A far more formidable opponent that this squirming creature beneath me. Another to violate my territory.

She was saying something. Words, unfamiliar. Voices ... from my memory somehow?

No, a trick. A trick to catch me off guard.

I smelt the scent of other Pokemon around her. And humans, like this fallen one before me. They would be coming for their comrades; I felt it.

There was not much space to maneuver. It was wet and raining. This battle would not be one to my advantage.

Sometimes, survival of a warrior depends on knowing when to flee, and live to fight another day.

I roared, letting lose the flames from my jaws. The Dragonair took the blast head on. I let go of the human and charged, slamming her into a wall. At the cave's entrance, I spread my wings and flew.

I shot a glance back and was pleased to find the Dragonair lay stunned. They would not be following me.

The rains were harsh and the winds strong. However, I would not be deterred. The call of my brothers led towards the west. That was where I would go.

To begin my life again ...

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Kris

I awoke lying in a dark room. Blinking, I stumbled to my feet, eyes adjusting to the darkness. I was somewhat relieved that the ropes and straps around my body were gone.

I was momentarily startled to see another Scyther in front of me. I realized it was just me reflection, as the entire room was lined with mirrors.

The mirror room? That means ... oh no ...

I knew this was one of the training rooms. The mirrors were specially configured so our 'masters' on the other side could see us, whereas the Pokemon saw only their reflections.

"Ready Swordia?" The Sarge's disembodied voice boomed. "Let's see how good you really are."

All of a sudden, a spinning disc came flying. It smacked me directly in the chest, knocking me over.

So, it is the discs. I thought grimly.

Back when I worked for Team Rocket, I'd trained Pokemon using this facility too. Ironically, now it was my turn to face the trials.

Another disc came flying, but this time I slashed at it, cutting it to pieces. I knew these disc were made of a light plastic, Acrylic, I remembered. Even so, being fired at the speed they were, the disc could easily injure of kill a weak Pokemon. Not that Team Rocket cared anyway.

Another disc and another came flying towards me. I sliced all up with relative ease.

"Not bad at all." The Rocket's voice muttered. "Perhaps you do have quite some talent after all. Now, let's try level 2, shall we? Hahahahaha!"

Oh boy ...

This time, discs came from not only in front, but behind as well. Then, they were coming from the sides, two, and then three at a time. After which came the spikes and electric spots on the floor, sticks protruding from the walls and such.

By the time he finished level 10 (the highest one), I was drenched in sweat, bruised in too many places to count, and utterly exhausted. I collapsed, not willing to do anything else.

I heard several footsteps approaching me. Amongst them was the same man from before, my so-called 'master'. And he was clapping.

"Not bad. Not bad at all." He muttered. "You actually beat the old record. No one's ever come close except for that Rhydon that died of a heart attack when he had 1 point to go." The Rocket turned towards one of his companions. "What was that Pokemon with the record again?"

"Remember that Charmeleon that nobody could tame? That was him."

Firestorm. I realized. I actually beat Firestorm's record!

If there was one good thing that had happened to me recently, than this was it.

As he approached me, I growled, pulling my head away.

"Hmmm ... she's still got some fight left."

Two wire loops were tossed around my neck and tightened, choking me. Three men held me down as my 'master' stepped over my body and fixed a collar around my neck.

I felt a great sense of dread hearing the metallic click of the lock, knowing exactly what the collar was for. I struggled, but then my master pushed a square device in his hand.

Instantly, a series of electric shocks coursed through my body. All the other Rockets let go backed away as I rolled around, screaming in pain.

"That's what'll happen if you don't do everything I tell you to." He laughed evilly.

He shut off the device, leaving me lying in the floor on my stomach, throbbing in pain.

"You'll address me only as 'master', understand?" He gave me another shock for good measure (on his part). "Other than that, obey, and you'll be just fine."

He knelt down was stroked the back of my head. As much as I wanted to resist his vile touch, my body had shut down. I could barely even move in my current state of exhaustion.

All I could do was stare up into the face of my tormentor.

"Welcome to Team Rocket, Swordia." He laughed.

Again ... I added in silently.

I was dragged off and thrown into a prison cell to for a brief rest. It was unlikely that Team Rocket had built these specifically for their Pokemon, but it seemed like this was an abandoned prison that they'd taken over. And making use of existing facilities was common sense.

The cell certainly looked like it had housed human convicts before. All sorts of foul scents came from it and I really didn't want to know what they were. It wasn't very large, designed for two prisoners at the most. The wooden boards that hung from the wall served as 'beds', with some dirty pieces of cloth still left behind. A hole at the side served as a crude 'toilet'. The steel door had one barred opening near the top that allowed the wardens to check on the prisoners. The opening was the only source of light in the cell.

The thought had just hit my mind when the opening was slammed shut, plunging me into complete darkness.

Depressed, I lay down on the wooden bed and closed my eyes

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Nightslice

"Legendary dragon?" I asked.

"You sound so confused, my friend." Kioi laughed. "You, of all beings, should know just who we are."

"I feel ... " I closed my eyes. "Kaiser's power within you. Some of my own as well."

"You need me to recite the whole paragraph?"

"Paragraph?"

"All right then. We, the Legendary Dragons, were created by the 2 Dragon gods, Harasalt and Kaiser to serve as their 'Generals'. After the wars ended, we who survived cast aside our formers alliances and bonded together as a single unit. After making sure the damage we'd cause was righted to the best of our abilities, we sent ourselves to a form of slumber in which we would only awaken when light and dark clashed again. Since that time, we have vowed not to interfere directly with the matters of the world. However, as repentance to the suffering we'd caused during the wars, they would lend indirect aid to those we deemed noble, worthy and in need. The tale of our origins, however, cannot be disclosed to any being other than a descendant of our former masters'."

"OK ... I understand." I nodded. His grip seemed to have loosened a little, allowing me some breathing space.

"You, really do?" Kioi suddenly asked, looking down at me.

"Yes, why?"

"Ha! I actually got it right!" He grinned, showing off his intimidating fangs. "I'm not as stupid as Issui constantly says I am after all!"

I glanced over to Hazuki and the Pokemon and mouthed 'stay there'.

"You know, with whoever that is, I agree!"

I lowered my body by bending my knees slightly and grasped his right hand with mine. This involved my thumb being over his. Then all at once, I slid to the side, lifted his hand off my body and spun to his side.

The technique didn't stop there as I brought him to the ground as well. The humanoid dragon looked honestly shocked as his face hit the ground. Still holding his hand in the locking position, I twisted his wrist, causing him to cry out in pain.

"While you were talking, I was taking note of your body structure. And realizing it's practically the same as a human's, epically at your arm joints, I figured a few of Kris' Aikido techniques would work pretty well."

"Grrrrr ... " He snarled, attempting to push himself up.

"You don't want to do that." I taunted, twisting his wrist further. "Unless you want me to dislocated your wrist right here."

Kris had taught me some techniques, but I was certainly no expert at them. I had positioned myself a little too close to his body, so he was able to swipe at me with his tail. I took the blow, but managed to roll away and get onto my knees.

Kioi came at me with a downward chop. Still on my knees, I slid to the side and got my hand at his elbow joint. I spun and pulled, taking him down to the floor again.

"Oops, you missed." I laughed, getting to my feet.

This time, Kioi came at me with a punch instead. Once again, I slid to the side and grabbed his wrist. I pulled and threw him over my hip.

"Missed again."

Kioi was really angry now. I saw him opening his mouth and preparing to fire.

"Oh shit ... "

I ran as the dragon fired off a series of Pin Missiles.

Damn! What I wouldn't give to have my Agility technique right now. I thought.

That was when I realized how fast I was sprinting. I was far ahead of where Kioi was firing.

Maybe ... maybe I still have some of my old powers after all.

I got behind him and jump kicked the back of his head, causing him to hit the ground again.

I'm still faster and stronger than an ordinary human. But still not as much as him. So how can I use these factors to defeat a physically more powerful opponent?

I was busy evading his Rock Throws when an idea suddenly snapped into my head. I retreated until my back was against a huge, thick tree.

"Come on!" I taunted, pulling down my eyelid and sticking out my tongue. "Try use your head for something it was built for!"

Kioi reacted exactly as I wanted him to. The berserked dragon lowered his head and charged. I calmly stood my ground, with my arms folded, and waited.

"Watch out!" Hazuki cried.

I faced my opponent and suddenly dropped down by quickly folding my knees. Kioi's chest hit my face, shoving me back against the tree, giving me a hard knock on the back of my head. However, the important thing was that Kioi's head and neck went straight through the tree and out the other side.

And taking into consideration the dragon's strength, it was no wonder the tree was literally ripped out of the ground. But it didn't stop there; the force of his motion carried him onwards to smash several other nearby trees as well.

So, it ended up with Kioi pinned down at the bottom of a huge pile of trees. His head was still stuck through the bottom tree and the dragon was struggling to free it. Unfortunately, he was wedged in tight, just like in the cartoons.

Since he couldn't turn his head upwards, I took a seat on top of the tree his head was stuck in and waited until he calmed down.

"Beaten by a human! I don't believe it! Let me up right now!" He roared, firing off Dragon Breath attacks in various directions.

"Sometimes, brains can do what brawn can't." I laughed. From my position, I gripped his head between my knees and patted his head. "Now, I'm sure you came to challenge me for a reason. What is it?"

"I can only tell that to someone who's defeated me." Kioi snarled.

"This certainly counts, doesn't it?"

"THIS? This is humiliation!" He yelled, wriggling futilely to get himself free.

"Sorry pal, but you want to fight me, then you should know that I fight dirty."

"I refuse to accept defeat in such a manner!"

"You sure about that?" I asked, grinning.

"Absolutely."

"All right then." I got off, walked behind the tree, managed to find his right arm amongst the pile and grabbed it in a lock.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Kioi asked, unable to see me from his position.

"Oh, since I need to defeat you in a more 'direct' manner, I just think that'll I have to give you a bit more pain." I placed my foot at his shoulder joint. "LIKE THIS!"

At the same time, I twisted his arm and drove my foot down. The loud snapping of the bone was accompanied by his scream of pain. I let go and the arm fell, hanging limply by his side.

"Submit?"

Kioi only growled angrily.

"I'll take that as a 'no'. All right then." I walked over to his other arm and repeated the process.

The dragon was swearing, struggling and waving his limbs about in a desperate attempt to shake me off. Since he couldn't see exactly where I was, it was easy enough to evade his attempts and break both his legs as well.

"You're going to run out of limbs for me to break before this is done." I laughed, patting his head again. "Hey Hazuki?"

"Yes?" She acknowledged, sitting in nearby with the Pokemon.

"Roll a dice for me and that'll dictate how many pieces I snap his tail into."

"ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT!" Kioi finally submitted. "I'm supposed to remind you to get to Union Cave and give you a Forbidden Technique to help you out!"

"Did Euphoria tell you this somehow?" I queried.

"No. Like I said before, we were recently awakened by the rising powers of the Dragon God's descendants we felt. Euphoria must have sensed our awakening and directed you to one she thought could help you."

"And who's that?"

"Issui, another dragon. She's has her ways, through I'm not too sure about them. Now, do you want your Forbidden Skill or not?"

I hesitated.

"What's wrong?"

"I was trying to get away from all this." I said softly. "But now, it seems I have no choice. Let's have it."

"Touch my head." Kioi instructed.

I felt a warm, familiar aura as I did so.

"Counter Rockets. Fighting type attack: combination of Sky Attack and Reflect. It's basically a leap up and swoop down maneuver, except you will be invincible until the moment of contact. Anything after is fair game."

"OK, I got it." I nodded.

"But there's a little catch to his one. You cannot activate it by yourself. You need another allied Pokemon to cast the Reflect. Any Pokemon will be able to do it. It's called a 'Dual Tech'."

"There's more, isn't there?"

"It's armor piercing and cuts through defensive moves and resistances."

"No, I meant its effect on my current state."

"Oh yes, because you accepted it, it will break through whatever block Euphoria put against your Forbidden Techniques, allowing you to utilize them."

"Thought so." I muttered, turning to my companions. "Hazuki, I guess I have a lot of explaining to do. Anyway, we'll have lots of time as we have to walk. Especially since the wise guy here busted the train track."

"I had to do that to get your attention!" Kioi protested.

Everyone ignored him.

"You actually want me coming along?" Hazuki asked excitedly.

"Sure." I said, walking briskly off. "Since we're fighting dragons, I could always use a beautiful maiden to sacrifice to them."

"Wow ... you really think I'm ... hey! Watcha mean 'sacrifice'? Hey! Hey! Wait for me you! Darn, you're evil, you know?!"

I didn't need to turn around to know that she was running after me. The Pokemon shared the laugh before following my lead as well.

"Oh, that's really funny." Kioi spat. "And hey! What about me?! Hey could you help me out?! I can't move!!! Hey!! HEY!"

"You're a 'legendary dragon', so I assume you'll be able to handle yourself." I called back. "Well, great meeting you Kioi. Have a nice day!"

We left him behind, screaming in outrage.

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Kris

It couldn't have been more than a day before them came to drag me off for another ordeal.

I had been completely reluctant, but the whip and the electrical collar finally drove me to comply.

So, I was forced down to a familiar-looking steel door. Familiar because I'd once been the one throwing Pokemon in there.

It was Team Rocket's Pokemon training ground, an underground battle arena best described as a locked room for Pokemon to fight. No rules except for 'last one standing wins'. In a lot of cases, it also turned into 'first one to die loses'.

The steel door slammed shut behind me. I stood facing my opponent, a Marowak.

"Get out there and fight!" My master yelled from behind the door.

I turned and snarled at him, only to get another electrical collar treatment. I recovered just in time to dodge a Bonemerang flying towards my head.

Growling, I turned towards the Ground Pokemon and charged, having to dodge two more bone attacks before head butting it in the chest. It recovered and attacked with its Bone Club. I parried several of its thrusts before managing to slash the club in half.

I went into a frenzy of kicks and slashes before kicking its chin and knocking the Marowak out with a blow to its chest.

I heard the click of the door opening in front of me and raced for it. I slashed at the Rocket in the doorway, giving him a bad cut on his hand. Another one behind him brought out a whip and lashed at me. I took a hard blow at the side of my face, knocking me over. My Scyther fangs had also cut into the flesh at my mouth and I spat out the blood.

I was then assaulted by whips from several agents, plus the electrical shock of the collar, beating me till I was bleeding all over.

"Very disobedient of you." My master said, holding my head down. "So, no food for you today!"

I was thrown back in my cell shortly afterwards.

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Zian

Nice night for a flight. I thought.

Still, I hadn't come out here to enjoy the breeze. I was out looking for someone. Although I could've just teleported to the approximate location, a short flight was always enjoyable. It was nice to stretch my wings after all those years of sleep, and I was in no hurry anyway.

Speaking of that, how long has it been since I've eaten? Hmmm ... wonder what's good out here?

I soon spotted my quarry: Kioi.

And what a sight it was. My colleague had his head stuck through a tree, which was also at the bottom of a large pile of trees.

"Well, you're a sight for sore eyes." I laughed, landing. "Nightslice did that to you?"

"He tricked me, and, well ... " Kioi muttered. "It doesn't matter. I did my job and got him his Forbidden Skill, just like Grix wanted. Jeez, even as a human he's so insistent on getting his way."

"Stubborn, just like you." I nodded. "Well, he's from your side of the family anyway."

"Oh, shut up and get me out of here Zian."

"Come on, a few trees and you scream like mad? When I felt it, I thought you're mind had gone back to the time during the war when Jintai and I were about to perform a life dissection on you."

"Can we not talk about 'that' incident? The kid broke my arms and legs so I can't really move them, all right?"

At that, I simply couldn't stop myself from rolling around on the floor in spasms of laughter.

"Hey it's not funny!" Kioi growled, eyeing me furiously. "I got my head stuck in here and I was too mad to think properly!"

"Not like you think properly anyway." I gasped, between my laughs.

"Look! Just SHUT UP and get me out of here you miniature, pip-squeak of a dragon!" He blurted out.

"You calling me 'small' there?!" I stopped laughing. I really hated it when people did that.

"YES! Ugh ... NO! I mean NO! Really, it was just a joke! Really! Eep ... "

He stopped short because I was glaring angrily at him.

(With the anime fire background effect. Kioi sweatdrops.)

"You do know that I can do a lot of mean and nasty things to you, Fighting-type?" I roared.

"Zian! NO! NOT AGAIN!" Kioi begged. "Don't turn me into ... "

ZAP!

Oh well, that was over and done with. That's a side of us dragons you won't see often, but it's there.

It seemed that everything was playing out. Firestorm and Nightslice were off, for better or worse. We would be there only to challenge them, relay messages and pass on our ancient skills. I felt bad about leaving their friends, the boy and the girl as they were, but we were forbidden from interfering. Firestorm and Nightslice would have to solve those problems on their own.

Only then would everyone be prepared for what lay ahead ...

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Kris

Days passed. There was no effective way for me to keep track of time, so I gave it my best estimate.

Each day, I was dragged out for several battles in the arena against all sorts of Pokemon. Having no choice, I fought and yet, defeated each one. Sometimes, there were even multiple opponents.

I sustained more injuries and bruises that I could remember in that short period, but otherwise remained alive and most importantly, battle capable.

They must've thought I was some kind of prodigy throwing me into this.

At first, I tried to meld my martial arts moves to fit with my new body, somewhat like the way I'd trained Nightslice. It had been successful at first, but then my wild instincts begun to take over every time I went into 'battle mode'.

It was slowly at first, being only for a short time. However, I begun to lose myself the moment I stepped into the ring, only to find myself battered, bruised and back in my cell.

My resistance had apparently rubbed off on my masters too. I was hardly fed at all, making my Scyther instincts flare up more often, worse and much stronger. Even when I did decide to obey, I was still whipped and starved.

Everything escalated until that day.

I hadn't eaten in quite a while and was extra grouchy. Still, they forced me into the training arena and sent a Quilava against me. That one didn't take much more than a couple of dodges and a Slash to take out.

But then came another and another. After taking on five Quilavas in a row, my Agility had been seriously over used as I'd been dashing about wildly, trying to evade the flames. My claws were stained with blood. I was dead tired.

"Come over here Swordia!" My master ordered, standing in the doorway.

I refused to move from my kneeling position in the middle of the ring. The Quilavas had already been recalled by their owners. However, they never used a Pokeball on me, saying I didn't deserve the 'privilege' of having one.

I snarled as my master approached.

"Get up and don't start this now or you won't get fed again."

He got out his whip as lashed at me. Frustrated, I slashed at it knocking it back against his face.

"Ow!" It left a long cut along his cheek. "Damned thing! You asked for it!"

He brought out the control device and activated the electric collar, sending the shocks up my body. I was screaming in anguish as he recovered his whip and started lashing me again.

My face hit the ground, but I turned to the side and looked up at my tormentor. He just kept on hitting me and I soon lost the strength to cry out. However, I noticed the room was completely empty except for the two of us.

I smelt blood. My own, but also his, which was dripping from the wound I'd given him along his face.

Blood ... fresh blood. And flesh. He's alone, my opponent.

The moment that thought hit my mind, my instincts flared up. With renewed strength, I scrambled to my knees and caught the whip in my jaws, pulling forward.

The startled Rocket commander failed to release his grip and came stumbling forward, right into the path of my Slash attack.

"AAARRGGGHH!" He screamed, clutching his bleeding face.

I was in pain, both from my wounds and from the electric shocks of the collar. The pain transformed into a sense of strength, then fury.

Rage. Vengeance.

With a roar, I fell upon my tormentor. The man was slammed onto his back. For the first time, I saw him sincerely panicked. It gave me a great sense of gleefulness seeing that.

There were other screams from outside as the doors were slammed shut. The panicked Rockets outside had condemned their comrade to his fate.

My tormentor managed to pull a pistol out, but never got the chance to fire. I sliced his hand off. He screamed as I jabbed a claw into his chest.

It was exhilarating; my prey screaming, squirming, knowing that death was near. This blood was pouring out like a fountain.

Warm, glorious blood. Fresh blood.

I stuck again and again with my claws. Then, I clasped my jaws around his neck. He was struggling and screaming all the way until the moment I twisted and snapped his neck.

Blood! The kill!

I roared, having made my kill.

Now, the flesh.

My head lowered.

Somewhere in all of this, my human mind was screaming too. There was no way I could've described the emotions that came over me. Any other time, I would've fought my instincts. I would've resisted and tried to keep my human side.

This time, I couldn't. The hunger was too great. The meat in front of me, my kill, too tempting.

I gave in and bit down, ripping the flesh and swallowing it. Gulping down greedily on the human flesh.

At the horrific moment, I realized I had consciously done it. I had wanted to do it as much as my Scyther instincts commanded me to.

I had lost whatever little I had left of my humanity.

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Firestorm

"Storm, are you all right?" Aigul asked, walking over to me.

I nodded, still leaning against the railing. The ship seemed to be crawling along the waves that I was looking out upon.

A lot had gone on emotionally for me in the past few days.

Jade, as a Charizard, had been seconds away from eating me alive when Dracia had interfered, causing him to fly off on instinct. He thought he was a wild Charizard now, and had fled to find some place he considered safe.

And that could be nearly anywhere.

The hardest part was going back to face Jade's uncle, Blaine. I'd promised the old man that I'd look after his nephew. And I had failed.

I had expected to get a long scolding, but all he told me was to go back out there are keep trying.

Failure only comes when you refuse to keep trying. I was sure Kris had said that too. I'd just forgotten.

None of the other Pokemon had any argument with Blaine's words.

Unfortunately, only Mirage and Dracia were in a condition to come along with Aigul, Serac and myself. Ehrgeiz and Wartortle hadn't fully recovered and Magmar was staying behind to help watch things on the island.

I repacked Kris' and Jade's equipment and brought along what I deemed necessary: laptop, clothes and survival equipment. I also brought with me the small box of Kris' gym badges that we'd won together.

Blaine added in his Volcano Badge, making the complete set of eight. He'd said that it was the incentive for getting our group back together and going on to compete in the Indigo League, now slightly more than 4 months away.

After giving each other our farewells, our group had split up. My party was now on a ferry bound for Olivine City. I was working on a pure hunch that I'd 'heard' Jade say he was going west right at the moment he'd let go of me and flown off.

As Zian had told me, I had the psychic potential.

Zian ... I thought. Perhaps if I could contact him some how ...

"I'm going inside for a bit." I told Aigul.

"All right." He acknowledged.

I hurried through the corridors of the ship back to my room. My Planeswalking Sacred Technique was not something I was yet skilled at using, but I figured I could use it to try and get in touch with Zian.

However, as I opened the door, suddenly I got a bad feeling that something wasn't right.

Right on cue, I heard a click as a gun was jabbed against my back.

"Be quiet." A male voice commanded. "Go inside, quickly!"

I did as I was told and heard the man closing and locking the door behind me.

"What to you want?" I demanded.

"You may consider me a friend. You're in great danger now. You already have many enemies, but now you count Sliph as one of them."

"Sliph?"

"Haven't you thought about the how suspicious they've been lately? And about the pervious president's death? It was a set-up, the former vice-president, now the current president was in charge all along. On the outside, they're a Pokemon Technology company. On the inside, they're dirty scumbags, corrupted to the core."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Sliph's Special Forces have been reformed since their Cinnabar Special Forces were destroyed some months back, put down by one of their own. Although now without their Chimera technology, they're just a standard group of soldiers."

"Wait, tell me what's a Chimera?" I asked.

"The Chimera Project was an experiment started years ago to blend human and Pokemon DNA. Both Team Rocket and Sliph were rivals in this. As with all experiments like this, there were complications with the subjects, through I won't go into that direction."

"I didn't have anything to do with that, so why come after me?"

"You're fortunate that Sliph haven't been able to track your group since the incident in their HQ in Saffron City. However, it then brings us to those they have their secret war with, Team Rocket."

"Damn." I cursed.

"Apparently, a couple of their agents reported you being able to use flame attacks against them."

Aaron and Scarlet, after Jade's little encounter with them. I recalled.

"Now, they believe you to be one of the Chimeras." He continued.

They must think that I'm Jade. I realized. I'll have to let them believe it for now.

I did look a lot like him, with the exception of the hair color. Still, humans could change that just as easily as they could change clothes. And if our DNA got mixed around as Jade had suspected, it was no wonder my human form appeared similar to him.

"So, they're after me because they think I'm one of their experimental subjects?" I queried.

"Not exactly. They don't know anything about you, and believe you belong to their rivals, Sliph. That's why Team Rocket agents are on this boat too. But so are Sliph's SFs."

"Let me guess, it's because the SFs managed to steal information from TR that they were onto me." I sighed. This was getting to be one heck of a complication.

"Indeed. Seems like you're a marked man."

"And where do you stand?"

"Nowhere and yet everywhere. You'll understand this in time. For now, take these."

An MP5, several clips and a gas mask were tossed in front of me.

"And what are these for?" I asked.

I suddenly realized the gun was no longer at my back. I spun round only to find nobody there. The room was completely empty.

The next instant, I found myself dropping to the ground as a couple of round objects shattered the windows.

Gas grenades!

I pulled on the gas mask, deciding to trust the mysterious man's advice. Grabbing the MP5, I found it fully loaded. Stuffing the clips into my pocket, I ducked around the corner and waited. I could near voice shouting from outside.

They were coming. I knelt down and took aim.

This was a bad case of mistaken identity. So now, the enemy list counted Alugard's group, Team Rocket and Sliph, as if one wasn't bad enough.

Still, that brought me to question the identity of the mysterious informant ...