The Wild Man Of Pokemon

For the past week and a half, I've been sending Oddish to survey the mountain. From what they gathered, its turned for the worst. The trees are wilting and gaining a deathly pallor.

Golducks group was not having much better results. We experimented with the gas by using berries from the locally grown trees. We tried wrapping it in Scrafty leather only for it to penetrate the skin and go into the fruit anyways.

Nincada attempted weaving some of his silk into a cloth, but no matter how many layers we used, it still affected the fruit. The best it could be used for was delaying the reaction, however little it did.

Thus I am left with only one option, using psychic to clear the field. However, that leaves us at a disadvantage because we need every mind Pokemon we could get.

Toxicroak was active. He could be seen leaping around the mountain with his croonies enjoying the high life. Trying to find his base where the weapon was kept; however, became an impossible task.

Therefore, I was bouncing around ideas with my family.

'Maybe Honedge could tail Toxicroak? He could hide in his shadow until they find the weapon.' Nincada said.

'The problem with shadow sneak is that while yes undetectable, it is only to a certain degree. Toxicroak can evade the perceptions of Da and Am, I doubt I could do the same to him.' Honedge replied.

'Then what about having Spritzee follow him from a distance?' Da suggested.

'Not going to work, to avoid the poison cloud, they would be to o high to accurately follow. They don't have a Braviary's sight.' I responded.

Staring at their thinking faces, I asked, 'Could we extract the information using telepathy?'

'No. While we might be psychic types, we are not made equal.' Am answered.

'Hows that?'

'Its similar to how certain Pokemon can only use certain moves. Some Pokemon are better at telepathic powers while others are better telekinesis. None of the Pokemon on this mountain are adept at manipulating minds.'

'Ah.' I sighed defeated.

Nincada patted my leg, 'Don't worry, you'll think of something.'

Smiling down at him, I think on the problem for a bit.

'Why don't we just ask one of them?' Honedge suddenly spoke up.

'You mean find a traitor? How would we do that? I find it unlikely there are any Pokemon who would betray Toxicroak so easily.' I said.

'What if… I heard a rumor the night of the mission a while back?'

'I would be interested, go on.'

'Well, I can't confirm anything, but supposedly, Toxicroak has a son.'

'A son?' I leer at him incredulously, 'Why would his son betray him?'

'Because he is a shiny.'

Everyone g.r.o.a.n.e.d around the room.

'What was with that reaction?' I confusedly asked.

Da answered, 'It's because a majority of Pokemon have a dislike for them. Even in this bunker, there are plenty who dislike a shiny of their own race.'

'Really?'

'Really. Even with my own kind, the great I would be an outcast.' Honedge supplied. That was a surprising bit of information. He never mentioned it at all when we spoke.

'And I assume that to be a shiny son of Toxicroak...'

'It would be a death sentence. In fact, I am surprised he still lives.' He finished. The implications clear.

Munching it over, I weigh the pros and cons. If what he said was true, then the Croagunk could be easily swayed to our side. The only problem was how much love he actually had for his father. Abusive or not, parental bonds are difficult to break.

'I will bring it up with the war council tomorrow. It might be the only way to get the information that we need.' I looked into each their eyes, conveying my determination.

'We will support any decision you make.' Am declared.

'Good, because we will need all the support we can get.'

...............…..

My proposal was met with friction. Most were worried over the validity of information from the son of that tyrant. Shiny or not, they both have the same blood they reasoned.

I reminded them that we are on a deadline and had few options. So we agreed to take the gamble.

It was a long five days to get a lead on his location. Apparently, he lived on a rock on the outskirts of Toxicroak territory. Both fortuitous and concerning as being able to speak with him and not getting caught was high, the chances of him knowing what we need was low. Still, the Croagunk was our only choice.

Tonight, Da, Am, and I planned to give him a visit. Leaving the chamber in a filter of psychic power, we traversed the rotten terrain. This was the first time I saw what the gas did to the forest. All the trees were losing their leaves and the bark looked sickly. The normally vibrant emerald life energy were being transformed into a brackish violet. Mark my words, Toxicroak will be paste when I am through with him.

'The trees look awful.' I muttered.

'Yes. The sooner we can turn off the weapon the better.' Da chimed.

We continued our journey. Nothing notable happened. We did have to hide from a group of Roselia, otherwise it was a clear night.

'I think the normal trope is that toxic gas is purple, not the clear that we are seeing.' I said.

'Reality and thought are often times very different. Though that's not to say they won't bleed over from time to time.' Am sagely advises.

Silence reigned after that.

Hours later, when the moon was traveling to the horizon, we arrive at Croagunks rock. A couple Oddish were waiting for us.

Limiting my reception field, I commanded, 'Report.'

'The target is there on top. He appears to be freezing.' One reported.

'Yes and we can confirm the treatment his kin gives him.' The other added.

'Excellent, keep watch while we go talk with him.' I ordered.

Nodding, they burrow into the ground.

'Any advice before we do this?' I ask.

'Be gentle. We don't want to spook him. Remember, he has had a tough life.' Am said.

'Got it.' I reply. Giving them the signal, Am and Da lifted us into the air and onto the rock. The toad hadn't noticed us yet so I softly greet him.

'Hello.'

Startled, the little toad flew into the air.

'Who are you! What do you want?' He screamed.

Raising my hands, I try to placate, 'We are not here to hurt you. We just want to talk.'

He was rattled by my thought rays. 'Who are you?'

'A friend.'

Taking a stance, he said, 'Your not very convincing.'

'Would I be talking if I wanted to hurt you?'

'It wouldn't be the first time.'

'That must suck.'

'Like you'd care.'

'But I do.''

'Liar.'

I was just realizing how deep his scars go. To be tortured as much as he was. His aura was so dark and full of pain. Forget using him as a spy, I am going to get him out of here.

'Let me properly introduce myself, I am the leader of the rebellion against your father. This is my Am and Da.' We bowed.

'Do you plan to kill me? I'll tell you now that my father would just laugh it off.'

'That is not why I am here. Rather, I am here for you.'

'Why would you want with a mutant like me.'

Pity filled my soul. 'A mutant you say? Whats so different about you?'

Tilting his head, I circle around him as if to evaluate him.

'Hmm. HmmmmM. Hmmm. Nope.'

'Nope what?'

'I can't see a difference.'

'How can you say that! I am a freak. A shiny.'

'So?'

'So?!? I am disgusting, something unnatural.'

'Did humans experiment on you?'

'No.'

'Then I am very afraid to say you are completely natural and its all in your kinds head.'

It seemed reality was shattering for him, 'No, no, no, NO! Your lying. I'll kill you.'

He put up his fist as if to strike, however his form was sloppy to my unprofessional eye. Swinging, I sidestep avoiding him entirely.

Tears were streaming as he went for another strike, this time his hand glowing purple. Sidestepping again, I grab a hold of him and pull him close. Croagunk squirmed, but I hugged him tighter.

'There, there. Let it all out. Shhhhh.' I rubbed his back as I felt him calm down. Soon, the little aquamarine Croagunk was just bawling. Rocking back and forth, I watched as he fell asleep. Glancing back at Am and Da, I said, 'We are taking him as is. I don't have the heart to ask him to go back. We will have to do with what he knows now and hope its enough.'

Nodding in understanding, a blue glow enveloped us as we took off into the night.

...............…..

Returning to the bunker, I called the other council members and explained the situation to them. They complained about it for a while, but once they felt the utter despair in his aura they shut up quickly. Sitting in our den, we waited for him to wake up. As I watched his labored breath in my l.a.p, I had a chance to see all the scars lacing his body.

My heart burned at the sight. Never again would I let this one be harmed. I will nurture him and make him strong.

It was around noon when he finally woke up. His eyes peeked open and rubbed his head. The little blue Croagunk stiffened at the contact.

'Good morning.' I said.

Ringed eyes honed in on my voice.

'Who are you?'

I smile, 'Someone who is not going to let you get hurt anymore.' I intensified my thought rays to get the point across.

'Why me?'

'I won't lie. I had plans to ask you to become a spy for us, but seeing you in so much pain, I couldn't let you stay there any longer.'

I let him think on my words.

'He will come for you.'

'Toxicroak? I already have plans to kill him.'

'How can you be so sure? He is strong. Stronger then anyone on this mountain.'

Oh how I wanted to speal about hope and what not, but I didn't have it in me. Hope was for the lazy.

'Because it is necessary. He needs to go. So I plan on taking him apart piece by piece. Will you join me?'

Caught off guard, I wonder if I should have gone the inspiring speech route. Story protagonists always make it work somehow.

A hand on my shoulder awoke me from my thoughts, 'Take me with you. I want to see him burn.'

I laugh at his blood thirst, 'Hold on there, we still have a few steps to go before that.'

'I don't care.'

Staring into his eyes, determination and the lightest wisp of color returned to his aura.

'Then we have work to do. It will be painful, but I think we can make do.' I promised.

Shaking his head, I turn to the others in the room. 'But first.' I zone in on Croagunk, 'I need you to tell me exactly what you know about the weapon.'

Nodding, he began to tell us the information we need.

'The weapons are placed around the mountain.' He started

'Weapons?'

'Yes, there are ten total, each guarded by an army of Croagunk and Roselia. They feed the weapons plants that eat away at everything except poison types.'

'Do you know who made them?' I asked.

'No, only that they call themselves the Artist.' Great, a mysterious being that I won't happen to meet later because of my dumb luck.

'Do you know where they are placed?'

He nodded.

'Can they be moved?' I questioned, sending a prayer.

'No, once they turn on, they eat any living thing. Including Pokemon.' That was a mental image I did not need; however, that was the best news I heard all day. We had a chance of taking them out and stopping Toxicroak once and for all.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon in any shape or form.