Whee~! EVIL!

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Chapter 6

The nerve of that boy! Pryce seethed as he slowly rolled himself away. Lance’s arguments were all just. It was true that society had been cruel to mutants. It was true that now he had little resources with which to protect them, but he could not leave those innocent young minds in Lance’s hands!

Pryce shivered.

A voice startled him. “Professor Pryce?”

He turned to see a familiar figure come out of the building. His clothes were different though, form-fitting flame red leather stitched with gold fire runes. “Red? You made it out alive?”

“Yes.” The answer was perfectly polite, but something had changed. He met Red’s odd red eyes and gasped.

“You… what has he done to you?”

The normally gentle air was gone. Instead, the boy’s eyes were drilled into hard rubies. As he watched, a swirl of fire bloomed around Red’s fingertips. But how? There was no lighter anywhere!

“It was not so difficult,” Red smiled. “After all, all you taught us was to accept and control our powers. But he… he taught us to embrace and invest them. Amazing how much change that makes…”

Pryce wheeled himself back a few steps on pure instinct. This was so wrong…

“And now, Professor, we have a question to ask you. Why did you leave us, even when you knew it was a trap? Why did you extend good faith to those who have none?”

“It was worth a try.” The man said stonily.

“Worth a try, yes… four lives lie buried because of your try. How does that feel?”

“I mourn for them but-.”

“But what, Professor? Would you sacrifice more of us for more good faith? Would you? Yes or no, Professor. Yes or no, and if the answer is No, we may follow you still, but if the answer is Yes, we shall follow another.”

“Lance is a madman!”

“Mad, you say? Why? We are superior to humans, after all. Soon, we will rule, and everything will be all right.”

“You…” Pryce stared. “He has corrupted you, Red. What has he done?”

Red did not answer, as he turned and headed back inside.

“I will take your answer as a Yes, then, Pryce. Good-bye.”

She was a pretty child, beautiful almost, but he sensed strong power in her. With a smile, he let Morty take a look. He could read minds, after all…

“Well?”

< Too kind. >

“Pity.” Lance shrugged. “Should we lock it then?”

“No, her power is not a harmful one. She can talk to normal-type pokemon.”

“Then let her keep it.”

“As you will, Master Lance.”

He was doing his own selective breeding and maintenance. Although he would not kill mutants – and indeed, there were very few with human sympathies, that sort of thing must be weeded out or disaster could strike. He was simply being preemptive, that was all.

Morty yawned as he poured himself some tea. “So how are things working out between you and Red?”

“Well, I believe. He is charming.” Lance flashed Morty a fanged smile. “And what of your romantic life?”

Morty nodded. “Have you seen Sabrina?”

“I believe she is off in Houen recruiting.”

“Oh, excellent.” Morty smiled. “It would do well to have their assistance.”

“In Houen, the government does treat us gifted ones more cordially.” Lance acknowledged. “But as for the outlying villages, they kill them.”

“Personal experience I assume?”

“How perceptive of you. Correct.”

“Well, is there a way to contain this mutagen virus of yours? To prevent it from being carried to Houen?”

“The ocean will not let it pass.” Lance said, “Unless some foolish trainer attempted to get there while infected. I do not think it possible. They do not deserve to die, for the most part.”

“So it seems.” Morty agreed. He finished his black tea in silence. They both glanced at the sleeping girl on the bed.

If Pryce got his hands on her, the effect could be deadly. For while Yellow did have a mutation, what Morty had said earlier was a lie. They could not have whispered the true power aloud.

For what her power truly was, was to amplify the power of another mutant…

Lance shivered.

At least Morty had morals. If Pryce ever got his hands on Yellow, he could mind-rape any mutant he wanted. That was the difference. All Morty could do was read minds, not actually hurt them… or heal them, but Pryce could do both.

It almost frightened him.

Red was waiting in his bedroom when Lance entered. He smiled.

“How beautiful you look, Red. The new outfit looks lovely on you.”

Red smiled as flames flickered over his fingertips. “Why would anyone wish to give up this power, Lance?”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you not know? Pryce had a machine that could remove mutations… he made a deal with the government to get his hands on it. He promised to render us all harmless… and he did this all behind our backs! If Agatha hadn’t managed to read his mind while I was chatting him up, I would never know! That bastard...!”

“No I did not know of this.”

“Well, I just wanted you to know.” Red cuddled up against Lance as the trainer kicked off his boots and slid onto bed. “I had quite an interesting chat with him.”

“Did you?”

“Yes. I don’t think anyone trusts him any more.”

“I could be worse.”

“But you haven’t hurt me yet.”

Lance raised an eyebrow. Red colored.

“Well, that doesn’t count! Besides, I wanted it too, even if it was subconsciously. And you’re powerful and cool and everything, so…”

“I understand. Thank you.”

Red grinned and said no more. And although there was more to be done, for now, the two of them were content.

As for the rest of the Gifted?

It seemed they were content as well. That was what really counted, after all. Humanity would thrive in Houen.

The Gifted would thrive in the Kanto-Johto landmass.

Truce.

End Chapter/Fic complete

Completed 6/13/06

Aww, how cute! It’s fluff~!

And… I have no explanation for romance whatsoever! Take it how you like!