FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Whimsicott stood guard by the entrance, signaling Zoroark that no one was eavesdropping. With deep sigh, she decided to start the meeting.

"I trust you are all already aware of the nature of the virus we are facing?" Zoroark asked. A few oblivious looks were exchanged among the small crowd.

"I know it'll kill us," Pikablu said with a shrug, "I guess detail would be nice."

"The new Pokérus virus exists in endospores, and as such cannot be detected, destroyed or avoided by any known means," Mew began to explain before Zoroark had the chance, "It infects both humans and Pokémon, but will only attack bacteria found inside of us Pokémon. The new bacteria exchanges genes from its plasmids with other bacteria, mutating into factories for three proteins that are harmless on their own but will rapidly attempt to combine to a lethal formula."

"... I believe what Pikablu wished to know was..." Kabutops suddenly chimed in with his usual depressing tone, "... How will it kill us?"

In an instant everyone's full attention was focused upon Mew, eagerly awaiting her answer. She was wondering whether to actually tell them seeing how it would probably not boost morale, but thought they should at least know what they were up against.

"... Respiratory collapse, most likely," Mew answered quietly, "There may be boils and tissue destruction, but as necrosis activates and your nervous system shuts down it should not cause any more pain than the alternative."

"You're damn right, I'm nervous!" Lucario exclaimed while feeling a knot tie up in his stomach, "Let's go destroy the virus already, can't wait to NOT have to worry about this any longer."

A murmur of agreement followed, the occupants starting to wonder why they had not done so already. Gradually, eyes begun to turn towards Zoroark.

"Yes, I suppose it is time for me to reveal the location of the virus..." Zoroark said slowly while digging around her area for something, "... As well as the lab where so many Pokémon were tormented..."

"Wait, let me guess..." Zerobi interrupted as a sudden thought hit her, "Pokémon Stadium?"

Zoroark looked at her with surprise for a moment. With a swift gesture, she brought forward a large map from behind her desk-like rock and placed it down on the ground.

"Indeed. Underneath the abandoned dome of Pokémon Stadium lies a secret laboratory," Zoroark explained while pushing one of her claws against a circled spot on the map, "Most likely an attempt to get some 'privacy'... And it explains why it was closed to the public in the first place."

"Not closed enough... Especially not to Brendan..." Lucario muttered before turning his head away from the map and towards Zerobi, "Wait, how did you know about this?"

"Huh? I told you when we got there, that I could sense blood in the air," Zerobi replied while wondering if Lucario had forgotten, "Figured it was from all the fighting, but then I thought... Why would there be fresh blood in an abandoned stadium? I mean, now there is, but BEFORE Torana and all that..."

Lucario had no recollection of Zerobi ever saying anything about blood, but also remembered zoning out around that time. He worried over what else he might have missed and hoped none of it would come back to bite him later on.

"I must say, you VERY NEARLY ruined the entire operation by heading there prematurely," Zoroark continued with a stern tone as she glared on both Lucario and Zerobi, suddenly easing up just as quickly, "But I assume it was not exactly your choice. My spies tell me the scientists were a bit shook up by your rumble with Torana, but luckily have not chosen to relocate."

Silence followed as everyone took a moment to examine the map. At first it looked rather shoddy to Lucario with a bunch of footprints all over, until he realized it had been translated into pawprint.

Suddenly, Pikablu rose up. Without warning, he turned around and began to walk away.

"Pikablu?" Zoroark exclaimed with a surprised voice, the yellow rodent turning around to face her.

"Underneath Pokémon Stadium, right?" he said as he held up a hand with all four of his fingers outstretched, "Give me... Four hours. I'll have this shit wrapped up before breakfast."

"Nice!" the Gallade whistled while clapping his hands, "A round of applause for Pikabro, redefining manliness like always!"

Pikablu looked at the Gallade with an annoyed expression as Zoroark stepped away from her desk to confront him.

"Do not be so hasty!" Zoroark said loudly, trying her best not to act too harshly, "You will not succeed without a proper strategy!"

"Sure I can," Pikablu snorted cockily, "What've they got? A legendary? Two legendaries? We've got three."

"And they have something FAR worse," Zoroark responded while realizing she was being forced to reveal the gravity of their situation earlier than expected, "Do you think I would have gathered everyone here today if our opposition was but a simple legendary? No... All of our problems can easily be summarized into two colors..."

Moving back from Pikablu and sitting down by her desk again, she gave a moment of pause for impact.

"Red..." Zoroark said clearly with an expression of dismay, "... And Blue."

A quenched gasp was heard from Lucario as Zerobi felt herself grow colder, and not in the usual good way. The Gallade's smile froze into a panic as Pikablu grit his teeth together.

"They have chosen to support the virus!?" Celebi exclaimed, appalled that people so familiar with Pokémon willingly support their total destruction. Zoroark looked at her with a calming expression.

"No. They know nothing about it or the secret laboratory, and believe they are only there to protect the Stadium from rowdy Pokémon," Zoroark explained before breathing in deeply, "The liaison we sent out to inform them was quickly captured, and it seems unlikely that any other would fare better."

Everyone fell quiet as they worked on comprehending the current situation. Pikablu slowly made his way back to the others, sitting down and staring at the map again. He saw that the Gallade was still taken by shock, while Kabutops seemed as unfazed as always.

"Well..." Zerobi suddenly whispered, breaking the silence, "... It's not like we have to hold back, right? Tons of lives are at stake here. If we all attack at the same time..."

Zoroark closed her eyes and shook her head.

"These are the two strongest trainers in the world with access to a nearly limitless amount of Pokémon, and quite frankly..." she said before giving off a bothered sigh, "Even with all our resources, we do not stand a chance against either of them. Unless, of course, the omnipotence of you legendaries is not overstated...?"

Zoroark was looking expectantly at Mew and Celebi, a sight the two legendaries were rather accustomed to. It was the sight that expected everything and anything from them, as if they could recreate the entire world with a snap of their fingers, when in truth neither of them could snap their oddly formed fingers even if their lives depended on it.

Mew had remained calm throughout the conversation, but noticed that Celebi was taking the news rather hard. She had recently been captured by a trainer after all, and was definitively not eager to put herself in harm's way any time soon. Sticking up for her friend, Mew met Zoroark's gaze.

"No," Mew said reluctantly, "Although legendary, we are still just Pokémon. Against several powerful enemies, even we may lose and be captured."

"H-Hey, now. Really?" the Gallade suddenly said with an unusually shaky voice, "We've got Pikabro, Cells AND Mewsy on our side! Just bumrush the place, we'll stroll in right behind you and pick up the pieces of what's left!"

"Trainers are very dangerous foes..." Kabutops muttered as he gazed sternly at the Gallade, "They carry a team of six Pokémon, built to counter any threat... Pokéballs, which can potentially end the battle in a single hit... Healing items, eliminating the viability of status effects and making their Pokémon nearly impossible to bring down..."

"We could always just, you know, attack the trainers themselves," Zerobi suggested, stuck in the mindset that everything was allowed since so many lives were at stake. Instead, all she got was a reprimanding look from Lucario.

"I'm pretty sure that'd be good reason for them to start open warfare," Lucario replied, seeing an appreciative expression from Mew in the corner of his eye.

"... And a virus created to wipe out all Pokémon isn't!?" Pikablu suddenly burst out with rage, thinking Lucario was so deluded in his fantasies of being human that he would defend humanity no matter what. Before long the argument was in full swing, Pikablu and Lucario shouting angrily at each other. The rest of the legendary trio were quick in backing up Pikablu while Zerobi went with supporting Lucario's point of view. Mew and Celebi watched them, trying to interject but finding their voices too weak to break it up.

It was then that a screech filled the room.

"People! Please, calm down!" the Whimsicott shouted with all his might, "Zoroark has been working on it day and night, and has without any doubt constructed a brilliant strategy for defeating both Red and Blue!"

Everyone fell quiet as they stared at the tiny piece of fluff, their gazes quickly turning towards Zoroark. The Dark-type tensed up at the sudden attention, having come to realize just how difficult it was to take charge of this rowdy crowd.

"Well... No," was all she could say as disappointment filled the room, the Whimsicott's face falling in despair.

She knew this was it. All the planning, all the repetition had been leading up to this moment. This is what would make or break her legitimacy as a leader. It had to be done.

"Red and Blue were both geniuses by the time they were ten years old, and have only grown wiser since... In truth, not one of us is even nearly as experienced as they are when it comes to Pokémon battles," Zoroark spoke with a clear voice as she looked at Lucario, for the first time sorely wishing the experienced Ethan had been sitting there instead, "No matter what strategy, plan or trickery we could come up with, I am certain they would see through it in a second and immediately counter."

"Then what can we do?" Lucario asked, still a bit riled up from his debate with Pikablu. Zoroark closed her eyes as she smiled.

"Simple... We will not be using any strategies," Zoroark said confidently, "Just like wild Pokémon, we attack them head on."

Sighs of disappointment filled the room, but Lucario felt a tinge of hope as Zoroark continued her confident charade.

"See, there really is no need for us to defeat either of them," Zoroark elaborated her plan with a certain mischievous glint in her eyes, "If we can just keep them occupied in battle while a smaller team slips past them undetected, we can take the virus and make a run for it."

"Keep them... Occupied...?" Kabutops repeated with a dull tone, before fastening a set of judgmental eyes upon the Dark-type, "... I understand that you have faith in your followers, but you greatly underestimate the champions if you think your ragtag gang of rebels can do anything against their ilk..."

"Indeed," Zoroark replied quickly, "Even a hundred Pokémon at above average strength would get wiped out in half a second by Raikou and whichever powerhouse Blue decided to bring. And if we bring out an army, they'll grow suspicious and know it's an organized attack, probably sending for reinforcements... No, what we need are powerful individuals."

"Ah!" Lucario exclaimed, remembering what she had said about having a special role in mind for him, "Like, I'm flattered and all, but if I have to go up against Red again I think I'll end up with some pretty serious afflictions. I'm still jittery from the last time!"

"Don't worry - You're on the stealth team," Zoroark assured him before exchanging looks with Mew, Celebi and Pikablu, "To be honest, there are only three Pokémon in this cavern able to stall enemies as fearsome as Red and Blue..."

As Zoroark's plan was starting to take form and finally make sense, Pikablu could not help but feel his earlier disappointment in the revolutionary leader disappearing. Instead, at the sound of a certain other Pokémon's name, a flame was beginning to ignite in his chest. Although the current mission was dire, it was forced to give way to a far older desire of his, one that he had nursed inside of him for decades.

"Dibs on Raikou," Pikablu said with a smile perched precariously on his lips.

"... How is fighting thunder with thunder a good idea?" Kabutops immediately interjected, before getting interrupted by the Gallade.

"Hey, hey! Don't talk like that!" the Gallade chimed while tapping his forehead, "Remember! Gotta think positive!"

"Shut up," Pikablu muttered, so very tired of the eager dancer constantly trying to give away his new trump card. Almost wishing he hadn't told him about it, he thought back to the past when things weren't so bad between them. Roaming the earth in search for legendaries, driven by his desires of becoming one himself... The instant he had seen Celebi he had switched his goals and wished for nothing more than revenge, but his will to become a legend had never reached its conclusion.

"Raikou's the legendary of thunder... If I beat him, that title's mine," Pikablu said out loud in order to inform everyone else of his intentions, exchanging a look with Celebi. The small legendary recognized the dangerous glint in his eyes, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable to be sharing the same room as the man who tried to kill her.

"And I'll film it, so the public knows who's boss!" the Gallade added happily, and for the first time in years he was given an appreciative nod from his old friend. Kabutops saw it unnecessary to say anything, his two partners already knowing he would follow them anywhere and drag them out of the fray if push came to shove.

"That works," Zoroark said while giving the Whimsicott a signal with her hand, the small Pokémon beginning to write down something on a parchment, "And since we have no idea which Pokémon Blue might use... It would be nice for that team to be skilled in utility. Mew? Celebi?"

The two legendaries turned their heads towards each other, deciding on who one to go. By exchanging only a single look, they were able to come to a conclusion.

"Both of us will fight him," Celebi said determinately.

"We are both legendaries, so it would not seem like an organized attack even if we were to be seen together," Mew continued with a confident flick of her tail, "I assume our presence would help to draw attention away from the other squads?"

An awkward silence filled the room. Suddenly, the Gallade burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Wouldn't wanna be Blue!" he said with a smile, imagining the overkill of being forced to fight the two most powerful legendaries in the world at the same time. Lucario thought the same thing, remembering that even he and Rukario had been enough to defeat Blue. He wondered how his self-proclaimed ex-wife was doing, and wondered if there was any way for him to contact Blue about her without ending up in another fight.

"That also works," Zoroark said while giving another signal to the Whimsicott, the wooly Pokémon already hard at work with writing, "Now, for the team that moves in to retrieve the virus... A speedy, stealthy squad..."

Zoroark threw a glance around the room, as if deciding right then and there on whom to pick.

"It will consist of me... Lucario..." she said before adding a tint of bitterness to her voice, "... And Zerobi."

The change in tone did not go unnoticed by Zerobi, who was both shocked and worried. But before she even had time to formulate a sentence in protest, Zoroark decided to explain herself.

"I know, but it can't be helped," Zoroark said as everyone else looked between them in confusion, "Too much is at stake. You and I are the only Dark-types here, and only our presence cannot be sensed by Psychic-types... Besides, I would assume that you know a thing or two about staying hidden."

"And me?" Lucario asked quickly, still worried that he was about to get another shock treatment from Red and Raikou.

"You can hide your aura, and..." Zoroark started before giving pause as a difficult thought struck her, "... Our team will be heading deep into uncharted territory, and there is no telling what we might encounter. If we end up caught by a sudden torrent of Pokéballs, someone needs to be there to bail us out... Or carry on the mission, if need be."

Lucario scratched the back of his head, imagining himself wading through a sea of Pokéballs while carrying Zoroark and Zerobi on his shoulders. Standing up, Zoroark looked over the small crowd one last time.

"That is all," she said, "Brendan has left his post but may rejoin Red and Blue before long, so time is of the utmost importance. Work on the details of your strategies, and we shall discuss them in the early morning's sun. Tomorrow, after nightfall... We strike."

"Uh, yeah, we don't have a strategy," Lucario replied with a shrug while Zerobi slowly shook her head, "We'll just tag along with you."

"Hmpf... A fight with Raikou..." Pikablu mumbled as he crossed his arms, wondering if there was still a chance for him to become a true legend after all.

"Alright! The legendary trio's back in business!" the Gallade cheered while patting Pikablu on the head, "And don't worry, after the epic battle that's sure to happen, I'll teleport your broken body to a Pokécenter!"

"... His body is the least likely to break..." Kabutops muttered, wondering why they always had to pick fights with legendaries he had an elemental weakness to. Looking over at Celebi, he saw that she and Mew were already in deep conversation regarding their upcoming battle.

"A Baton Pass tag-team?" Celebi asked her friend, only somewhat familiar to the basics of Pokémon battle.

"Why not combine our forces?" Mew suggested, thinking that a unique strategy only they could pull off would disorient even a veteran trainer, "Synchronize to inflict various status effects and then heal ourselves through Natural Cure?"

"Excellent!" Celebi exclaimed while immideately moving on with the plan, "After that, I could easily restrain our foe..."

"... While I exploit its weakness..." Mew whispered, continuing to form their nasty plot.

To Zoroark's utter surprise, the mood of the room was rapidly easing up. Having expected a doomsday atmosphere considering what they were up against, the occupants were instead taking the news rather well. Lucario and Zerobi were talking about how relieved they were not to be on one of the other teams, the legendary trio kept bickering back and forth as to who owed who a free lunch after everything was done, and Mew and Celebi were a little too eager in proving their expertise in planning as their methods of attack grew more and more advanced.

"Actually... There was one more thing..." Zoroark spoke loudly as everyone turned towards her. She considered not saying anything, but had to make them take this whole thing more seriously.

"I hardly even have to mention it, but know that failure is absolutely not an option... No matter the cost," "There are more lives at stake here than just ours, after all. If you are captured, we will perform a rescue after this is done with. If killed, we shall never forget the name of the one who saved all Pokémon in the world. That is all I can offer."

Zoroark felt a little awkward as the atmosphere in the room took a nosedive, but at least they were now meeting her serious expression with their own.

"Hey, I just need to stall Raikou, and I wouldn't worry too much about Mew and Celebi..." Pikablu muttered while pointing a thumb at Lucario, "... Looks like the ones most likely to get killed will be you, Zerobi and Mr. Human."

The Gallade laughed, but Pikablu's ominous prediction struck a chord with some of the Pokémon present. The legendary trio decided to turn in for the night and left rather abruptly, carrying an unmatched air of confidence about them. Celebi followed, but not before urging Zerobi to be extra careful. Lucario was also feeling tired and was about to leave when he was stopped by a gentle tapping on his back.

"Stay safe," Mew said as Lucario turned around to face her, her long tail returning to its position behind her.

"You too," Lucario answered calmly, realizing his request was a lot more likely to be fulfilled. To head into the unknown was not a fun thing, but he took relief in know that at least he would be fighting neither Red nor Blue.

"Know that I will not hesitate to come to your aid, should danger befall," Mew said with a quiet nod, "Simply let your aura flow, so I may locate you."

"I can handle myself," Lucario replied and felt like spreading a little gallows humor, "Besides, you're supposed to keep Blue far away from where I'm going. By the time you get to me, I'll be long dead!"

He was given the opposite reaction of what he had expected, Mew gasping with concern overflowing in her expression.

"I mean it! If you were to die because of my absence, I could never forgive myself..." Mew whispered softly. She already felt responsible enough for killing him once, wondering if his close brush with death had given him a much too casual look on the subject.

"So... When I die, you want me to make sure it's in front of you?" Lucario continued with his dark humor, Mew finding herself caught between a smile and a frown.

"We have so much more to talk about," Mew kept going, unabated but his attempts to lighten the issue at hand, "Please stay your recklessness... Just this once!"

"Yeah, yeah..." Lucario mumbled as he waved his hand around, giving up on trying to be funny. He realized that spending so much time with Zerobi was starting to give him a very sinister outlook on life.

Few of them slept well that night, minds running rampant with thoughts of the upcoming mission. While the Gallade had sweet dreams regarding the great battle he was about to film, and Kabutops saw himself at home with his family once again, Pikablu was revisited by haunting nightmares of his deceased little brother. His suddenly awakened hatred made the dream seem all too real, finding himself choking Celebi to death in a fit of rage without any recollection of what had really happened. The intensity of his emotions seemed to spread themselves over to Celebi, who in turn dreamed of fighting Pikablu once more in an attempt to protect her sister from his anger. Zerobi too could not help but feel uneasy, worried about what tomorrow would bring and feeling like something really bad was about to happen.

Like usual, Zoroark found herself completely unable to sleep even a little. Sitting and staring at the horizon, she waited for the arrival of the sun. It would shine for a full day, before leaving and giving way to an event that would surely determine the fate of the world.