AN:
YOOOOO, IT’S FINALLY HERE!
Been looking forward to the release of this chapter (along with MM’s) for so long now. Once again, future chapters will take awhile to release due to me hyper busy on working on them along with other stuff going on in my life! And in case some of you don’t know:
I’m unfortunately going to focus on just the M&T series and MM in terms of my written works instead of introducing a new PMD fic (or a fanfic in general) like I said I was going to do in the two fic’s summaries. Hopefully though these fics will suffice since I’m still looking forward to the many twists, turns, actions, character growths, and overall just having fun writing them!
With all of that out of the way, I hope you all enjoy. n_n
Chapter 1: The Prospective Institute.
"I GOT HIM, BOSS!" one person shouted.
"Watch out for that Lucar—OOF!" another person was jabbed.
Within the large forest was a group of scientists: All either using their magic or fists to fight, some even having their Nativus tackling the Pokémon Hunters'. A young man and his Lucario friend were helping those scientists: Standing in front of a trembling Zorua with his collar shuddering.
One hunter swung his bat at the young scientist, the black-haired man ducking in time and pushing him. And then the jackal punched crook, knocking him down. The scientist lifted his thumb. "Nice one, Travis!"
The Lucario's paws glowed yellow, his brows furrowing at a decent portion of Bisharps. "You're welcome, Xander." He Force Palmed a few of them before sweeping the last one, backflipping when two Hunters swung their crow bars: Hitting themselves.
One hunter gnashed his teeth, clenching his fist. "Damn they're good!" He then eyed the Zorua—zero protection being at sight. The pale skin man formed yellow aura around his fist, smirking. "I got his ass now!" He dashed after the fox, grabbing him by the collar as he yelped. The hunter raised his fist, unraveling his hand to display a net-like projectile before cosmic energy blast him away. "GRAH!" He slammed against a nearby tree, sliding.
The Zorua dropped to the ground, eyeing up at the scientist running near him, caressing his head. "Hope you're not badly injured there," Xander said before glaring at the hunters.
One ally shoved a hunter towards the ground, punching him nonstop. Xander encased his hands in cosmic aura, dashing over to multiple hunters. He jumped, twirling horizontally. Many Cosmic Ardors slammed into those thugs, a few of their Pokémon dodging out of the blast before the man clashed down—blowing them away.
A Nidorina rushed after Xander, jumping. "RIIINA!" Her claws brightened into white glow, getting closer to him until—
WACKS!
The rabbit-like creature coughed, Travis' Bone Rush swinging her away. The Pokémon crashed into a group of others, one scientist speeding towards a Diggersby and kicking it towards the established pile.
The leader clenched his teeth, sweating. "Shit." Taking out his Pokéball, he retrieved his Diggersby. "Screw this: These guys are too tough. Let's skedaddle!" The others agreed, all scurrying away afterwards.
Xander folded his arms: He and his small group nodding at each other. "Phew...They sure put up a fight, huh?"
Travis' bone faded away. "No kidding." His eyes closed, shaking his head. "With strengths like that, they should've partake in the All Star Tournament."
"And yet, they've chosen a life of a Pokémon Hunter." Xander rustled his messy hair, sighing. "For shame, indeed."
Everyone soon turned to the shaky Zorua: The fox moving back slightly, cornering himself against rows of bushes. Xander walked forward, his hand to his chest—sympathy spreading across him. "It's okay…" Smiled. "You're safe from those crooks now."
The fox shivered, eyes shaking—ears twitching. He remained still, whining. The scientist sighed, a somber look sprouting itself.
"I know those awful men scared you. But I promise…" He gestured to his group. "We mean you no harm."
The vulpine's shakiness began to wane, his head perking up, staring around: Travis folding his arms while the others waved at him—some smiling, a few looking with interest. His attention then stopped at Xander, who simply nodded. It felt like an eternity—
years, even—that he was keeping his gaze onto Yvonne's orange eyes, his furry body being as still as a pole.
The black fox walked forward, nearing Dr. Yvonne. The young man embraced him into a hug, caressing his head. "There there…It's okay now..." The Zorua leaned close, nuzzling the man's chest. Xander carried him, nudging back. "Yes...You're safe, buddy." The scientist turned to the vehicles by the road, strolling ahead while everyone followed.
Travis' paws rested behind his head. "Uh, why are we taking him?"
Xander paused, blinking. "...Good question." Eyeing the fox, he gazed at the collar. "I assume maybe because he's a lost pet? Judging by this collar he's wearing here." He took a closer look. "
Ra-moan," he pronounced. "Seems like that's his name." The man then gasped. "Wait, I got an idea!"
"Hmm?" Travis tilted his head.
"Ramon will be our next subject for Project Transvian!" Xander exclaimed.
The Zorua tilted his head, unsure on what this 'Project Transvian' is. Travis lifted his brow, eyeing him. "Are you...sure about that?" Squinted.
Xander nodded. "I'm certain! It'll be fine since some coworkers and I are willing to use our magic blood for this project."
"Not what I meant." Travis shook his head, stopping Dr. Yvonne in his path. "The hunters, the Zorua suddenly being here, and now we're having him in your continuous project?" His arms fold, a frown painting over. "Don't you think all of this is out of the blue?"
"Not...really?" Xander tilted his head. "I mean, hunters trying to capture this fella is sudden, yes. But I'm not quite sure about the rest of what you're saying."
Travis glared at the fox, Ramon tensing up. "I don't know: Feels like he could've suspected us to come 'save' him." He leaned forward, the fox curling—shielding behind the scientist's arms. "Maybe to enact his sneaky plan on backstabbing us later." His teeth gnashed, the Lucario growling. "
Like the shady Zorua he is."
The fox whimpered, lowering his ears. The young man eyed his jackal friend: Appalled. "Travis!" Xander shook his head. "There's no need for such a hasty and frankly rude conclusion."
Travis quirked his brow. "Have you
not seen a Zorua before?" He pointed. "They're capable of formulating fake scenarios for us to side with them."
Xander blinked. "What."
The Lucario lowered his brow. "I know what those guys are capable of: They can deceive us at any given moment." He clenched a fist, the Zorua's trembles returning. "We're idiots if we don't stop this right now."
The scientist blinked once more in bewilderment. "Buddy, I...don't know where you even got this assumption from, but I'm aware of their usage of Illusion." He stared back at the fox. "He's shaken from the kidnapping he almost experienced: I doubt he'll purposefully be in danger
just to attack us after saving him." He caressed the Zorua, calming him. "He's not even trying to hurt us right now: I'm not sure if he even
can use his Illusion, for that matter."
Travis opened his maw. "But—"
"Travis: He's harmless. Otherwise, he would've been hinder us." Sighing, the scientist smiled warmly at the Lucario. "Trust me."
Travis gazed at Ramon, staring long and hard. He then sighed. "If you insist, pal."
"Thank you." Xander lifted the Zorua, the sun showering down at the group. "It's a good thing your owner puts a collar with your name on it. Otherwise, we would've come up with a silly name for ya!"
"Yeah: Like Illusio!" one scientist exclaimed.
"That actually doesn't sound bad," another one said, raising their finger.
"Meh. I'd think of something more creative like uhh...um…" The third scientist got stumped, poking his dark cheek. "Shoot, coming up with names is difficult."
"Wait, why would
I want to name him?" Travis asked, quirking his brow.
Xander shrugged. "Why wouldn't you?"
The Lucario shook his head in bewilderment. "The hell does that mean?" A silly laugh sparked out of everyone, the Lucario pouting. "Hey! What's so funny about that!?" Ramon had no clue what's happening, but even he too ended up smiling.
"Nothing: Just josting ya, that's all." Xander brought the fox back into a cradle. "His owner must have see him as family enough to give him a collar. I hope they're doing okay."
The Zorua's ears flickered at the word 'family', the fox instantly squirming—yapping beyond belief. Xander flinched, grunting as he struggled to keep his grasp.
"Whoa whoa, relax little fella!" The scientist shushed the fox, cradling once more. "It's okay. Again, those hunters are gone and won't be hurting you anymore," he softly said.
The group continued forward, Travis caressing his paw while eyeing down. "Hmm...Should we go find Ramon's owner first?"
Xander lifted a finger while still holding the Zorua. "Right after I test the magic blood on him first."
Travis huffed, folding his arms—shaking his head. "So much for caring about the Zorua, huh?"
The scientist eyed down, melancholy painting him. "I do." Sighed. "It's just...I want to help Noctis. I want this project to be a success so that Noctis doesn't have to worry about his Charizard form anymore." His attention shifted over to the confused Nativu. "His depression is getting worse and…" Xander winced. "I just
need to do something about it quickly."
"...Right." Travis' ears lowered, he and the others nearing the vehicles by now. "I understand, yeah. I hope it's a success, too." He looked down. "For Noctis' sake."
Xander nodded. "For his sake, yes. It's the best I can do for him."
Travis rubbed his arms. "Speaking of which: I'll go head home to check up on him while you continue your project."
"Sounds good to me. Let's drive there first."
Travis nodded as the group head inside of the cars, driving off.
. . .
Over at the Prospective Institute, gray walls laid itself across this fairly sized room: Scientific equipment and gadgets rest on the counters, opened and closed ones. One of those items even sat on a blue table in the middle of the room, being an empty flask. Sitting on the table was Ramon, eyeing ahead at Xander along with another scientist beside him.
This scientist had the usual lab trench coat, a small mustache, dark gray eyes, and short dark blue hair. The name tag, 'Dr. Mabel Prospective', was displayed on his coat as he was holding a paper—reading over its Project Transvian letter Dr. Yvonne wrote as a refresher. Behind the two was a wide window displaying the lab's outside, containing another group of experts gazing on with intrigue.
Xander walked to Ramon, wielding a syringe containing purple blood. The young man took a deep breath, smiling. "This'll sting a little, okay?"
The fox whimpered, shivering before nodding. Dr. Prospective lowered the paper, caressing his mustache. "I hope this will go smoothly, Dr. Yvonne."
Xander flicked the glass. "Likewise, Dr. Prospective." He stared hard at the piece. "I've carefully crafted the magic blood to be less potent after extracting some from myself and mixing it with the donated Intellicates' blood." Smiled. "This
will be successful. I'm certain of it."
"Hmm. Very well, then." The man nodded. "Go ahead."
Dr. Yvonne injected the blood into Ramon, a grunt exuding out of him. Xander and Mabel then joined the others behind the glass window, watching the fox. Nothing happened for a moment: A few grunts here and there being conveyed from the Zorua.
"Hmm...Must be a succe—"
Ramon screamed: Squirming and quivering, clawing the table. Xander shook in place, clenching his teeth.
"No…" The man gripped his hair. "No no no
NO!" Whined. "Please, not again!" His eyes shook, his hands quaking. "I made sure the blood isn't deadly this time! I modified it into
perfection!"
The Zorua screeched, baring his fangs while tears sliding down his cheeks. Mabel laid a hand on Dr. Yvonne's shoulder, staring down. "Just...look away, Xander." Sighed. "You've done all you could."
Yvonne eyed at his hands, trembling. "I...I can't. I—"
Blood seeped through the fox's maw, being a mixture of red and purple—his fur standing up, bones cracking throughout him. The man looked back at the fox, horror yet melancholy took over his entire being—undergoing various levels of grief. "...It's another failure," he uttered. "Another Pokémon, destroyed by this project." He gripped his fists.
"N-Noctis…" He mumbled that last bit: His fists quivering.
Dr. Prospective shook his head. "It's perhaps...time to put this project to rest. We don't need more Pokémon dying from it." The scientist stared off. "I'm sorry."
That alone got to the scientist: Everything feeling as though it was frozen in time, trapping itself in the constant present. The realization, the moment—all of it was there, kicking in without breaks. Zero stops. Tears appeared itself as the scientist closed his eyes, quaking. He was ready to let loose his misery until—
"Wait, look!" Dr. Prospective exclaimed, pointing at the window. Xander glanced: Ramon panting heavily on the table safe and sound, sweating beyond belief. He was more calmer than earlier, gazing down.
Xander and the others entered the room, approaching the fox with caution. Xander raised his hand. "How...are you feeling, Ramon?"
The Zorua lowered his ears. "
Horrible."
Xander gasped, lifting his arms. "WE DID IT!" He slammed the table, spooking the Zorua. "
PROJECT TRANSVIAN IS COMPLETE!" Everyone cheered as he grabbed his journal from his coat's pocket, scribbling away.
Mabel smiled, patting the young man's back. "Congratulation." He sighed, sliding the paper into his pocket. "I thought this was going to be unsuccessful, but with your perseverance: I was sorely mistaken." The man smirked. "I'll mark the Project Request as a success later on. My apologies, Dr. Yvonne."
Xander nodded. "Sweet! And it's alright: I thought I was going to fail, too." The scientist gazed at Ramon: Joys sprinkling throughout him. "Just when things were looking bleak, Ramon here managed to pull through!" His hands laid by his hips, laughter erupting out of him. "What a trooper!"
The fox glanced down. "It's rather...rude to celebrate. When I'm feeling unwell."
"Ah." He rested a hand on the Zorua's head, Ramon flinching at first before feeling comfort at the rubs. "I apologize there. I'm just...happy to have finally accomplished my passion project, that's all."
Mabel nodded. "Same here!" He elbowed the young scientist. "Once again, well done."
Xander sighed in relief.
I can't wait to see that happy look on your face again, Noctis! The man smiled once more. "Let's get you cleaned up and ready for freedom, pal. Where do you want to go afterwards?"
The fox teared up, shaking. "I-I want to go home…" His lips curled. "I want to see my family again."
Xander looked down. "Don't worry: I'll help you return there."
More tears flowed out of the fox. "I...I don't get it."
"Hmm? I'm simply trying to hel—"
"Why would mom and dad do this to me?" Ramon sniffled. "Why…"
The scientist stared on with perplexion. "...What do you—"
WOOAN! WOOAN!
The alarm went off, the room turning red. Screams echoed outside of the lab, everyone all staring off in perplexion.
"Huh?" Xander commented.
Ramon shivered. "Wh-What's going on?"
Mabel caressed his chin. "I have no clu—"
BURST! SCHLICK!
The three jumped back: Eyeing a large black goo stabbing rows of scientists ahead of them, blood spewing across the room within a flash. Their eyes widen, teeth gnashing as horror spreading—Mabel dropping on the ground yelping.
"What in the world!?" Xander asked. The moment those substances lurched towards the three was the moment Xander snatched Ramon, Mabel quickly getting up. "Let's get out! Now!"
Mabel nodded, the three heading out the back exit and slammed the door: A loud bang being heard. They dashed through the linear hall, passing by many gray corridors. After a few turns, they made it to the center: Multiple splotches attacking people left and right, shapeshifting into all sorts of forms—humanoids, bipedals, amorphous. Some even took on a quadruped look before latching onto a scientist running away, biting down into their neck. The trio grimaced.
"What...on Earth
are they?" Mabel exclaimed.
Xander bit down his lower lip, sweating. "I have no idea!"
Ramon whined, his ears lowering: Gazing upon the many violent nature tossing around the facility. He then gasped. "AAAH!"
Multiple spiky arrows jotted towards Xander and Mabel, the two ducking. The second scientist scanned around, coming across a large hallway.
"Let's head there, fast!"
Xander nodded, the three traversing over: Evading and dodging the many cryptic beings' attacks. One of them was a biped wolf transforming its arm into a large cleaver, slamming it towards them. Dr. Yvonne snapped his shield up, firing a Mystical Projectile afterwards. Once the creature was hit, the three kept going.
Ramon whimpered, lowering his head. "Home...I want to go home…"
Xander petted the fox, caressing his head. "I know, I know. It'll be okay."
"Mom...Dad...Please…" Is all the Zorua uttered next, whining. Xander glanced at him, pique spreading across his mind. Before he could question the fox however—
"Those things…" Mabel narrowed his brows. "I've never seen
anything like them before." Concerns spread throughout him. "Are they even...
Pokemon?"
"Maybe? But...something about them feels so off." Yvonne groaned, the three making a turn. "Just: What are those creatures!?"
Eventually they made it to double doors: Another scientist burst it open before they got the chance to touch it. The lone man was going to say something until he got stabbed by one of those creatures, getting dragged back screaming. The duel doors slammed itself, the forceful wind being strong enough to blow the Project Transvian paper out of Mabel's pocket and landed on the ground. Dread spiked throughout the three, all shaking to their very living beings.
Xander clenched his teeth. "Okay, change of plans: We're getting out of here. Now."
Prospective nodded. "Good idea!"
The three turned around, dashing off before a couple of black creatures appeared in their way. Yvonne grunted. "Darn it! Okay, fall back to the other room!"
Without wasting further time, they returned to the double doors: Plowing through it. They ran throughout the interior, Xander glancing around in caution. Sudden blotches aimed at his direction, the man casting his Mystical Shield—protecting everyone. One creature splashed against the shield, letting out a loud screech that only said one thing and one thing only:
"
IT'S. YOUR. FAULT!"
The scientist stared on for a moment as it slid off his shield, chills spiraling within. Before he could process this entity's words, Mabel tapped his shoulder quickly.
"Come on: We need to hurry away from here!" he pleaded.
Yvonne gazed at the creature going limp, shivering. "Y-Yeah...Right." The three took off.
. . .
After many more roaming, they reached a door leading to one of the facility's rooms. Xander touched the handle and tried twisting it: Stuck.
"It's locked," the scientist confirmed. Holding Ramon in one hand, he slid into his pocket and took out his ID card. Pressing it by the scanner aside, the monitor skimmed over the card before going red: The door remaining locked. Xander tried again, and it yielded the same result. "Drats…"
The young scientist knocked on the door. "Hello? Is anyone there?"
Brief silence presented itself before a voice said, "G-Go away!"
"It's me, Dr. Xander Yvonne. And I'm with Mabel Prospective. Please let us in!"
A small whimper was heard on the other side, conveying an ounce of hesitation, Ramon picked up. The Zorua shook again, snuggling close to Xander. The scientist patted his head, sighing.
"It'll be fine...We'll remain in this room until we figure out a way to escape," Yvonne said, smiling softly at the fox.
Soon, the door opened: Revealing a man with pink glasses and short black hair. The tan skin man whimpered, staring at the three. "I-It is you two...g-good to know." He stared off. "What's going on here? Where did these…" His eyes widened. "
M-Monsters come from?"
Xander frowned, staring down. "I have no clue either." Prospective was about to say something until he gasped at the side, Xander continuing to speak, "Those things suddenly came out of the blue. One of them can talk, too. Saying it's 'my fault'...Does it know me? And what is my fa—"
"LOOK OUT!" Prospective yelled.
Everyone stared at the rows of black slime forming into a humanoid body, unsheathing their claws. One of the creatures lunged its elongated arm towards Ramon, latching onto his collar. The Zorua yelped.
"AH!" Once pulled, he fell off from Yvonne as the collar got snatched: Lying onto the ground.
"Ramon!"
The illusion fox grunted, gazing up at one of the creatures readying their claws. He whined, shielding himself.
SCHLIK!
The Zorua eyed up, staring at the tan skin scientist coughing up blood: His back having been clawed by the monster. Ramon's eyes quivered, gazing on in horror before the scientist fell. He then saw the creature morphing its head into that of a canine, sharp teeth and all. Tears began to slid down the fox's cheeks—the quaking returned, paralyzed within his whole entire core.
The creature unhinged its jaw, lunging forward. Xander jumped in front of the monster, his Cosmic Ardor blasting it away: Colliding against many others. Magical aura cast around that specific being as it roared, attacking the others of its kind—prompting a few to stop it. While they were distracted by the move's side effect, Xander picked up Ramon.
"Are you okay?" he asked. Ramon shivered, shielding himself into Xander's chest.
"I-I want this to end!" the fox pleaded, spiraling into a teary mess. "Let me go home! Away from here, please!"
"I know. I…" Xander paused, guilt sprinkling throughout. "I
never intended for us to have things get this bad. I'm sorry…"
"
You. Should. Be."
Both Xander, Ramon, and Prospective yelped at the deep, monstrous voice: Quickly picking up on their shadows being darker than usual. They looked ahead at a giant blob, its melting arms pointing towards a large orb ahead.
"
We are like this because of YOU, Xander Yvonne!" the giant monster stated.
"YOU'VE. MURDERED. US."
Yvonne backed away. "Wh-What the—"
FWOOSH!
The orb screeched towards the three, black substance oozing along the way. Xander gnashed his teeth, gazing at the dark empty room beside. He and Prospective were about to head inside until the attack smacked them away.
"ARGH!"
Ramon was tossed out of Xander's grasp, rolling forward as the door closed from the immense force. The fox hit his head hard against the wall, sliding down. He was rendered from the conscious realm.
Xander and Mabel slammed against the wall further from the room, a grunt escaping from them. They slumped, the giant creature along with the rest of the entities crawled close to them.
"U-Ugh…" The young scientist's vision was blurry, spotting the already knocked out Prospective. Before he can say anything, explosions were vaguely heard: Staring briefly at the creatures being blasted away by multiple figures' gunfires, bomb throws, and Pokémon moves.
"Wh-Who the…"
Xander succumbed to darkness.
. . .
Silence.
Brief moments of it, in fact.
Right before a grunt made its way within, coming from Xander.
"Ack...Ugh…"
The man woke up, rubbing his eyes. The scientist gazed at multiple soldiers in gray attires, wielding their assault rifles at him and Prospective—a few even casting their Magic in preparation. Xander eyed Mabel, who's still knocked unconscious.
"What is…?" His words stopped once he looked back at the group: Taking his attention towards a green mantis with a spare bowtie on his neck, his elbow leaning against a helmet-wearing Yanmega carrying a rifle.
"Hah. Didn't expect you two to survive the Unmons' onslaught." The Scyther adjusted his tie, narrowing his brow while smirking. "Saving us from worrying about bringing back dead targets."
Unmons? Dr. Yvonne stared off.
Aren't they only supposed to be formed from Dne? Unless… His eyes widened, memories surfacing of what those two Unmons said.
Oh Arceus no: What have I done!?
The mantis pointed at the duo. "Take them away: They'll be useful for Team Conjure's goal."
"Yes sir!" the soldiers said in unison.
Xander flinched, shaking his head as multiple soldiers marched over. "Team Conjure?" He glanced at the Scyther. "Who are you? And who's this Team Con—"
WHACK!
Dr. Yvonne was hit in the head by a guard's weapon, knocking him unconscious again.
. . .
A woman in black clothing rests atop a hill at Sunny Valley, snapping photos of the vast field along with the forest beside. The sun shines at the present day, dousing everything with its ray of light.
She takes a photo out of her camera, wiggling it before seeing it clearly. Scarlet glances, absorbing the glistening sun and gorgeous greens the picture provides. Despite it all, she sighs: Pity painting across.
"No."
Her head shakes.
"Not beautiful."
