Chapter Seven: Low Kick The team had finally regrouped at the Pokémon Center. "You guys took down another one?" Matt asked. "You gotta start calling me when this happens. I've only beaten like one." "Two," Uiru reminded. "So, what's the score?" Heidi asked. "How many have we beaten?" Eric laughed. "As strong as Jigglypuff may be, it didn't help us do squat yet." Jigglypuff kicked him. "We've defeated five," Uiru declared. "Gengar, Ninetails, Arbok, Vileplume, and now Poliwrath." "How many do you think there are?" Allison asked. "I got some info from Jeremy," Uiru answered. "He said there are 12 Power Stones. That means they can breed 12 giant Pokémon. Meaning there are seven left." "You know, I think they use them just to fight us," Jessica announced. "How do you figure?" Patrick asked. "Think about it. Sunder Force had all the time in the world to breed Ninetails, and it was huge. Arbok was a little smaller, and Vileplume was a lot smaller. Then that puny Poliwrath we just pounded was the shortest of the lot. They're stepping up production trying to stop us, and as a result they're getting smaller, because they don't give them enough time to grow!" "That almost makes sence," Nick declared. "They do use other Pokémon's energy," Uiru said. "Jeremy told me they take life energy from a large number of Pokémon and then use the Power Stones to evolve them." "But how do they-" Geoff started. "That's not all," Uiru continued. "Each stone requires a specific element. Jeremy told me that the Ice Power Stone, in Seafoam, required Ice type Pokémon. It's a fair assumtion to say that there's only one stone to an element." "We've defeated Fire, Water, Grass, Poison and Ghost," Matt added. "So it's not unlikely that we'll be assaulted with Electric, Ground, Bug, Dragon, and Psychic types as well." "Ground is MINE," Nick declared. "If their Ground Pokémon is small, I'll let Horsea defeat it, just because." "Then I call Electric," Leah added. "Against my Ground and Rock types, it'll be no contest." Uiru looked at the group from Cinnibar. "Are you guys sure you want to get involved in this?" he asked. "Sure!" they replied at once. "We've already helped beat Vileplume and Poliwrath," Pittman declared. "Besides... We need a favor from you guys." "What is it?" Jessica asked. The group looked at each other. "We'd like you guys to help us liberate Cinnibar Island," Eric asked. "We were going to do it ourselves, but if Sunder Force has a monster bred on the island, we'd be in big trouble." Now it was Fire Strike's turn to fidget. "Look... Under normal circumstances we'd pack up and head over there right now," Uiru told them. "But there are politics involved now." "Politics?" Robert asked. "What the hell?" "Uiru, I never thought I'd hear that out of you," Erin added. "Listen," Uiru stated. "I KNOW this sounds corny and stupid, but we can't openly attack Cinnibar Island. It would be different if we were home, because we're part of the PLM. But out here, we're renegades." "I think I understand," Leah answered. "The Pokémon League aren't the friendliest of people. A band of renegade trainers could be seen as a threat, which they'd squish as soon as possible." "Right," Uiru told her. "And Booster couldn't help us at all, because we're outside the range of the PLM's influence." "That's stupid!" Thomas shouted. "You fought Poliwrath in Saffron!" "Poliwrath attacked us," Uiru declared. "And I know it's stupid. I said that already." "This is retarded!" Robert shouted. "Just because you're not at home doesn't mean you can't kick Sunder Force out of our town! Matt, Nick, talk to him!" "Nothing we can do," Nick replied. "He's the boss." "Listen," Eric began. "Sunder Force has taken over most of the southern part of the world. Cinnibar, Fuchsia, Vermillion, Lavender... If we didn't keep them from getting to Saffron, they'd be practically unstoppable by now." Uiru was silent for a few moments. "This is war," he announced after a minute. "And in war, soldiers gotta play by the rules, or else they could get themselves in deep trouble. However, I've always said rules are made to be bent." Eric, Robert and Thomas brightened up slightly at the last comment. "All we need is the Pokémon League's authorization to give Sunder Force a merry boot in the arse." "It would take forever to pull that off," Leah interrupted. "The Pokémon League isn't the straightest of organizations. They take forever to make decisions, and they're never the right ones." "Then we'll have to scare them into listening to us," Uiru declared. "And what better way to bully a big organization then to use a bigger one?" He asked the nurse if he could place a long-distance call. She asked him to keep it quick. "Who's he phoning?" Pittman asked. The others shrugged. "Hey, Booster!" Uiru greeted. "Uiru here. I need your help for something big." "He's calling Booster?" Jessica asked. "Of course! He's going to get Booster to get the PLM to get the Pokémon League to let us liberate the southern cities!" Matt shouted. "Tell Booster I said hi!" Allison shouted at Uiru. Uiru nodded. "Really?" he asked. "That bad, huh... Well, we're about to do some liberating here, but that damn politics thing came up." A pause. "No, no, we havn't gotten arrested yet. We need you to get us authorization from the League to do some asskicking." "For a bunch of soldiers, you guys are awfully informal," Pittman said to Allison. She shrugged. "Booster likes Uiru." "It'll take THAT long?" Uiru half asked, half shouted. "Okay... Yeah, I'll send you the number here. Half hour, right...? Okay, thanks a lot!" Uiru hung up. "Oh, my..." "What?" Jessica asked. "He's going to get us authorization, but it could take up to a week," he replied. "He's phoning the PLM HQ right now to straighten it out with his boss. He'll call back soon with some news." Thomas shook his head. "All this politics crap," he cursed. "We should be on our way there now." "I know," Uiru almost shouted at him. "Havn't I been saying I want to go clean them out too?!" "So, how are we going to kill a week?" Geoff asked. "We can't openly attack them," Uiru began, "but we sure as hell can slow them down. I say we go after the Ice Power Stone." "And do what with it?" Leah asked. "Keep it," Uiru replied. "One less giant Pokémon we have to fight." "I've got an idea!" Heidi shouted. Everyone looked at her. "What is it?" Eric asked. "Seafoam Islands is where a lot of Ice Pokémon live," she began. "And the Ice Power Stone is there. Wouldn't it make sense that the Electric Power Stone is in the Power Plant, where there's a lot of Electric Pokémon?" Nick nodded. "Yeah... That actually makes sense!" "Perhaps we should go after both," Jessica suggested. "But we don't know how many they have," Thomas replied. "They might already have the Electric Power Stone." Uiru unrolled a map of the area. "Okay," he announced. "There's 14 of us, so that means seven for each Power Stone. We'll need the helicopter to get to Seafoam Islands, because it's right in the middle of enemy territory. However, it should be relatively easy to get to the Power Plant." "A bus leaves Saffron for Cerulean every 45 minutes," Leah informed him. "From there, we just head down Route 9." She pointed at Route 9 on the map. "However, we need a Water Pokémon to get through the river." "Why?" Erin asked. "Because there's a landslide the League's been too lazy to clear up blocking the way," Leah answered. "So you need to go by water, and the current's a bit fast for normal swimmers." "There's no point in me going," Nick announced. "None of my Pokémon are good to ride on even in the water, and inside the Power Plant they'd get fried. And besides that, I need to fly the chopper." "I could fly it," Matt declared. "No way! I'm hiding the keys from you," Nick almost shouted at him. "And if there's Ice Pokémon there, your Grass types would be at risk." "But the Water types are weak against Grass," Matt told him. "I think I should go to Seafoam." "I'm going to the Power Plant," Leah announced. After some discussion, the teams were assembled. At Heidi's insistance, Eric would take her to the Power Plant. Uiru, Thomas, Leah, Erin and Jessica were also going. Nick and the others were heading out right now, however. "You're waiting for Booster to call, right?" Allison asked. Uiru nodded. "Where will we put it?" Pittman asked. "Assuming we can lift the thing, of course." "It can't be that big," Robert declared. "It might be." Uiru scratched his head. "I dunno. If it's small enough to hide on the helicopter, then hide it there. Otherwise... I guess you'll have to bring it back here." "We'll be flying right over enemy territory," Matt stated. "If we have to tow it, that would be a really stupid idea." "Well what do you suggest?" Uiru asked. "You can't just throw it in the ocean. Sunder could have a sub hidden somewhere. And breaking it wouldn't be any good either, even if you could." "What do you mean?" Jessica asked. "Did you ever try to shatter one of those evolution stones?" Uiru asked. "I nearly put a hole in the floor with one of those once. And these Power Stones are like bigger versions of the evo stones. And Nick, if you fly high enough nobody will be able to tell the difference. Now come on, you gotta get it before they do!" Nick nodded. "Fine, fine. Let's go, guys." The seven headed for the chopper. Booster called a good 45 minutes later. "And the verdict is?" Leah asked when Uiru got back. "He said the PLM agrees with him, but they're having trouble contacting the Pokémon League authorities. Apparently, they don't think Sunder Force is a threat." "Now THAT'S stupid," Thomas replied. "Booster managed to get a ton of info about the League. Apparently, they don't even know about the attempt on Saffron, and they know nothing about Vileplume or Poliwrath. And Arbok and Ninetails vanished for 'unexplained reasons'." "It's official- the League sucks," Leah scoffed. "At this rate Sunder Force will have taken them over before they realize something's wrong." "Yeah," Uiru agreed. "And their opinion of Sunder Force makes it even more dangerous for us to attack them head on. They think they're a harmless organization that's protecting the cities from outside interference. I'm betting Sunder has been paying them handsomly to look the other way." Jessica laughed. "Uiru, I think the PLM should take over this place for it's own good." "Agreed," the others replied. "So, let's go," Eric declared. "Can't keep the Electric Power Stone waiting." On their way out of Saffron, a local Pokémon trainer was yelling at his Pokémon. "You pathetic weaklings!" he shouted at them. "You havn't won a match in months! Get out of here!" Heidi recognized the Pokémon he was shouting at. "Eevees!" she shouted. "Two Eevees! Hey, you! Leave them alone!" "Why should I?" the man snapped back. "They're pathetic! Anything with an elemental attack creams them!" "That's so mean!" Heidi shouted. "If they can't fight it's because their trainer isn't skilled enough!" Robert laughed. "That girl will attack anything, won't she?" he asked Eric. He nodded. "Listen you little brat," the man growled. "I'm a damn fine trainer, and don't you forget it! These two can't keep up! If you want them, take them!" He threw two Poké Balls at her. "Now get out of here, all of you!" Heidi knelt by the frightened Eevees. "Oh, you poor things," she cooed at them. Jigglypuff patted one on the head while Heidi picked one up. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you. Do you want to come with me instead?" The Eevees shrilled at each other, and then at Jigglypuff. Jigglypuff nodded vigorously. Turning to Heidi, the two Eevees nodded. "Great!" Heidi grabbed the two Poké Balls. "I'll get you healed up in a little while, then we can play. Okay?" The Eevees nodded again. Each entered it's Poké Ball. "Yay!" Heidi shouted. "It's almost like she understands them," Uiru stated as she picked up Jigglypuff. "Anything Normal type, she gets along with," Eric replied. "She's not interested in battling them, although she does a damn fine job of it for her age." "I've noticed," Erin stated. "As touching as this all is, we're going to miss the bus," Leah announced. "The station is just over here." Uiru was half expecting to trip over a 50 foot Raichu or something, but surprisingly the ride to Cerulean was totally uneventful. Realizing they hadn't slept in days, the group were quickly comatose on the bus. The driver looked back to see seven sleeping trainers in the back. "Oh geez," he sighed. After being awoken, the crew marched down Route 9 towards the Power Plant. Climbing aboard their Water Pokémon, the crew quickly sailed down the river and entered the Plant. "Why the hell aren't the lights on?" Eric asked when they arrived. "This place was abandoned years ago," Leah replied. "The cities all have their own sources of power now, except for Lavender. They pay Saffron for their electricity." Uiru thought for a minute. "Isn't Lavender under Sunder's control?" "Yeah," Thomas confirmed. "Hmm... What would they do if we shut down their power from Saffron?" Uiru asked. "I don't think they'd like it," Eric declared with a nasty grin on his face. "They'd have to come up to Saffron to get them to turn it back on," Thomas stated. "And then we attack!" Leah finished. "Right, but AFTER we get authorization," Uiru said. "Heh heh..." "Oh, look! A Magnemite! Isn't it cute?" Heidi ran to look at it. It looked up at her. "Allison has a Magneton, doesn't she?" Leah asked. Jessica nodded. "Don't touch it, it could shock you," Eric warned. Of course, as he said it, she tapped it. And then it shocked her. "OW!" she shouted. "Magnemite! Why'd you do that?" Magnemite looked at the ground, then slowly flew away. The trainers walked down the hall. "You know, this place doesn't seem this big from the outside," Uiru stated. "It's built into the mountain," Leah replied. "It's pretty big." "Ah, damn." The group had wandered around for almost an hour when Heidi saw something glowing from behind a stack of debris. "Hey, there might be something over here!" she shouted as she ran towards it. "Heidi, don't go off alone!" Eric shouted. "But it might be the Power Stone," she replied. She looked behind the rubble. It was a Voltorb! "Crap!" she shouted as she ran back to the group. The Voltorb growled menacingly, then spontaneously blew up! Heidi was lucky not to get hit by any flying shrapnal. "You okay?" Eric asked. She nodded. Jigglypuff pointed. There was a passage behind the rubble! "It's REALLY dark in there," Erin stated. "Does anyone have a Fire Pokémon we can use?" "Nope," Uiru replied. "But my Raichu can cover it. Raichu, come out!" "What can Raichu do?" Thomas asked. "Flash!" A brillient flash of light later, and the place was lit up like it was the middle of the day. The trainers enterted the tunnel. A loud squawking and a gigantic discharge of power later, and the seven ran out of the tunnel. "Holy shit!" Thomas cursed. "How are we going to get past that thing?" "Well, it's obviously an Electric type," Leah stated. "So my Ground types should work on it." "But if it can fly, you'd never hit it with an Earthquake," Thomas replied. "Only you would try to use Earthquake in a building that's ready to collapse anyway, you moron," Leah stated. "At least we found the Power Stone." Heidi tried to sound optimistic. Uiru looked back in the tunnel. "Okay... My Sandslash's Rock Slide attack should work fine, given all the junk in there. Leah, you can use your Cubone's Bonemerang and Onix's Rock Throw. Jessica, you can use Marowak's Bonemerang too." "What'll the rest of us do?" Erin asked. "Simple," Uiru replied. "While we distract the thing, you grab the rock. Then we get the hell out of there." "You better stay here, Heidi," Eric declared. "Oh, come on!" Heidi complained. "I want to see it again." "Well stay in the tunnel then! It's way too dangerous for you." Heidi sighed. "I'm almost 10 you know! I can handle being in danger!" Jigglypuff nodded. "Okay, call 'em out! Sandslash, come out!" "Cubone, come out!" "Marowak, I choose you!" "What about Onix?" Thomas asked. "You aren't very bright, are you?" Leah asked. "If Onix tried to get through this tunnel, it'd bring the whole thing down on itself." Uiru explained the plan to the three Ground types. They nodded.