The Beautifly Effect

Chapter Thirty -- Mission Accomplished

He had to pause, he had to think. What did he just do? Couldn't there have been another way? How did he end up in a situation like this?

The answer to that last question was easy. Kanto was rich in mineral resources, Johto had the farmlands, and Hoenn was the leader in technology. When things get tough, you can't live on rocks and you can't eat gadgets. To survive you had to control northwest Johto.

His thoughts turned to Abigail, on her farm, Hoenn troops marching closer, perhaps already on her doorstep. The only way forward was to continue with his mission. What he had done and what he was about to do had to be done, if not for his own sake, then to protect the one he loved.

Richie pulled himself together. Calling Sparky to follow him, he made his way to his target.

"OK, fella, you've got to send your biggest thunder attack ever into that cable up there."

There was no asking, "You think you can manage it?" There was no question that Sparky had to manage it. If he didn't, the mission would fail.

Sparky obeyed the order. Richie drew back, shielding his eyes with his elbow, as a huge bolt of lightning arced from the Pikachu to the power cable. An instant later, a powerful crack came from inside the nearest building. Seconds later, an alarm sounded from somewhere in the distance.

His job was done except for one thing. He had to disappear from the scene as soon as possible. He retraced his steps to the fence and climbed over with Sparky on his shoulders. Once past the top, he carefully dislodged the blanket from the barbs on the inside of the fence. He scaled down past the barbs and did the same on the outside. He jumped the remaining distance, packed away the blanket, and headed straight back to town.

His instructions were to keep his head down and identify himself to the invading Kanto troops as soon as it was safe to do so. They in turn would be under orders to send him back for further training. He wasn't sure now how he would keep his promise to Paul. He was going to have to think of something.

It was getting very cold, so he kept up a brisk pace. Sparky was getting tired, no doubt hungry, but, being his only form of defense, not to mention his sole form of companionship, he kept him out of his ball.

He hardly recognized Slateport City when he got there. The place was dark, and deathly quiet. As he continued south, however, he began to notice sounds of commotion. Shouts, screams and occasional gunshots scared him.

He decided on a plan. Find Paul, sneak him out of the city and back home, then approach the next Kanto troops he would find. Keeping to the shadows and avoiding areas of disturbance, Richie and Sparky made their way to the Pokémon Centre.

Meanwhile...

Five glorious pairs of wings rose into the night sky, icy blue, electric yellow, fiery red, sparkling rainbow and silvery white. They parted, each intent on its part of their common purpose. With them armies of Pokémon arose, ready to do the bidding of the legendaries. The world was about to change.