Chapter 38: The Future Is Shiny

Daniel

My head felt fuzzy. Not to mention all the other aches and pains on me. Especially at my wrists. And shoulders. My head was falling forward, unsupported.

I groaned and opened my eyes to find myself tied in between two trees. By my arms and legs. Or something. I was at a bad angle to really see what was going on and, like I said, my head was fuzzy, so maybe I was a bit off on what was really going on. But I was definitely tied up.

And my first thought was Crikey as the memory of seeing him go down in a blizzard of petals came to mind. Was he safe? A familiar growl made me turn my head to see him tied up by a Venusaur's vines, struggling to get to me. His claws dug deep furrows into the ground and I could tell he'd been trying for a while.

For his sake, I gave a smile. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Take it easy."

Crikey panted, teeth bared at the Venusaur. My eyes scanned our surroundings. It was a more open part of the forest, but the trees looked different, so I guessed we were far away from where we'd been captured in the first place. No sign of any Trainers. Or Celebi. Though there was some equipment near some rocks. Really advanced tech.

Too advanced. And I recognized a lot of it. Of course I did. I was forced to memorize new products all the time.

"Seems like we've got some company who understands our generation," I said out loud.

Crikey grunted in understanding. He was smart like that. Even if he once did look like a cave gator before evolving.

"Now all I have to figure out is why you would take me of all people hostage," I said, wishing I could turn my head behind me.

"You assume you're that intelligent," a man's voice replied. A more robotic, voice changed voice.

Figures. Won't show himself. Or even his voice, I thought. "And you're hiding yourself just so I don't get a good look you. Which means you must think I'm some sort of threat."

"What are you doing in the past?" he said it like he wasn't really surprised to find me here, but didn't know all the details.

Fine. Ignore my question. I resisted the urge to try and break through my bonds. "I always wondered what playing a Game Boy Color was like. So here I am."

"You're testing my patience."

Without warning, a Metagross came out of nowhere, whirring in front of me as he aimed a metal claw at my head, a Hammer Arm powering up.

"Because you'd really kill me. You wouldn't have tied me up if I didn't have some sort of worth." I sighed. Even the smart villains didn't seem to get it. I wasn't as stupid as they thought.

"I wouldn't kill you," he said smoothly. I felt his presence behind me. "But persuading you is another matter entirely."

"Why are you in the past?" I asked. "Are you with Team Rocket?"

"Only idiots join them."

"So you are with Team Rocket," I mused.

Something dug into my back sharply. I hissed in pain. The Hammer Arm was inches away from my body.

"I am more powerful than they could dream to be."

"So powerful you're picking on a teenager because I somehow threaten you," I said through gritted teeth. "If I wasn't in ropes I'd be dancing for joy that I bother you so much."

I had a few minutes. Distractions were easy. People somehow put up with me talking and never noticed what else was going on.

"Why would I think of you as a threat? Did you ever think you're here to be put out of harm's way?"

What could he possibly mean by that? My brain raced. "Define harm's way."

"You think I'll monologue?"

"It's worked so far. I'd shrug but my shoulders are a bit preoccupied with being pulled out of their sockets. Which kind of feels like harm's way."

"You're going to stay here while I take care of your friends."

"So, five star spa take care?"

He muttered something to himself.

"You're the one not being specific. I said Game Boy Color," I argued my case, then looked at the tech again. "So, you work for Silph? That's a lot of gear you have."

"We're done talking. Metagross, watch him."

"Not even going to show yourself?" I said daringly.

A metallic mask burst into my field of vision. A dark red and black color combination. I realized he was wearing a complete suit, like a super hero. Except futuristically advanced and epic. The metal layer on the outside was for more than protection. I could hear it move as he did. Definitely for increasing speed and strength.

My nose flared in anger as I remembered the swivel chair I'd sat in all day, scribbling for Silph at my dad's board meetings I was forced to go to. "That was my idea."

"I see you noticed. It's a success in the future."

I held back a swear. "That was my suit. I said to him 'Wouldn't it be awesome if humans could battle alongside their Pokémon?' and now you of all people are wearing my idea."

"The translator works as well. But that's not nearly as helpful. Except to fund your better idea." It sounded like he was smirking as he observed his hand in the suit.

"Take off your mask," I demanded, trying to call to mind every single person who worked for Silph that I'd met. But I'd never been paying attention. I hated going with my dad to work. I didn't want to own a company.

"And why would I follow orders from you?"

"Because I'm sure whatever you're doing here is going to mess up the time stream," I said urgently.

"And what you're doing isn't?" he said keenly. "I'm very aware of how the time stream works. I've studied it meticulously. I have poured over possible outcomes. I have discovered the catalysts in peoples' lives. Your life, Mr. Hayford."

I felt a chill. He was really starting to creep me out. "What happens to me that you seem so concerned about?"

"It's not what will happen, but what would have happened if I weren't here today." He leaned forward, placing a hand on my head. I jerked away. "Wait here."

He said, turning. He took unnaturally giant bounds into the forest, speeding faster that I'd ever seen a human move.

"This is a new turn of events," I breathed, done with the aching feeling in my wrists and back. Not to mention the Metagross' arm aimed at my face. "Crikey, do your thing."

He had maxed out his attack and speed stats as quietly as possible. Of course he had. We'd practiced inconspicuous Dragon Dance hundreds of times. And now the Venusaur and Metagross would pay for it.

Within mere seconds, both of the tanks were out cold. Crikey bared his fangs, snapping intimidatingly.

"Nice work," I said as he slashed at my restraints. I collapsed on the ground, glad no one was really around to see how much that had taken out of me. I grunted as I sat up, taking a few deep breaths before standing and walking over to where the pile of tech was.

I'd already recognized my battle suit idea, so there had to be more here to figure out who this guy was and exactly how far in the future he had come. Without wasting any time, I picked up a cube, not recognizing it, but it reminded me of technology I'd seen Team Rocket use when it came to using force fields to capture Pokemon.

I picked up a band next, which I slipped onto my wrist. It instantly tightened to fit. A small hologram appeared with settings, the first being language. I pressed English.

"What does this thing even do?" I heard out loud, jumping. "What was that!? It sounds like... me?"

"Holy Shinx," I said, taking it off and holding it at arm's length. "My translator that reads thoughts, and says them out loud, like telepathy. Isn't this cool, Crikey?"

Crikey came forward, sniffing it.

"My dad said they just started working on that. When we left, that is. And they need help since they're meeting kinks... and that suit definitely isn't ready yet..." I trailed off as I put the translator back on the tree stump, my hand bumping into something.

I looked. There wasn't anything there. Or... was there?

I patted the invisible object, which felt like tough fabric, then whacked it until something sparked. A heavy duty backpack. I opened it to find a gun that looked like it'd come out of a sci-fi movie sat, glinting at me. It definitely didn't shoot bullets. It didn't seem to have a compartment to load any kind of ammo, so it probably had something to do with energy.

I picked it up. "Hello. What do you do? You must be pretty important if you were invisible."

This was great. I loved shiny things. I put the gun down and reached inside the backpack again, pulling out a forearm armor guard. Despite my reaction to the last thing I put on my arm, I decided this was too good to not try it out. Within seconds, it was fitted to my right arm, seeming to turn on and adjust itself like a second skin.

Crikey looked very concerned.

"Look, we both have blue arms now," I said enthusiastically, putting my arm out with my palm facing him so that I could study the deep sapphire blue.

A confirming beep made me frown. The light metal began creeping towards me in plates.

"Ok maybe I shouldn't have tried it on," I said quickly, shaking my arm as if it would stop. Or fall off. And not eat me. But it kept coming, covering my shoulder, climbing my neck, embracing my other arm, ascending and descending my body until I was completely covered. And felt very, very stiff. And couldn't see for a few seconds until the programming kicked in. A screen flickered to life in front of my eyes, like a mostly transparent blanket over what I could see right in front of me.

The first thing I saw was Crikey's mouth hanging opened.

"I look freaking awesome, don't I?" I said, rolling back my sore shoulders and bouncing up and down.

The word "Calibrating" appeared in the top right of my vision.

I felt lighter. The suit started feeling more like a second skin than stiff. I swung my arms lightly.

I grinned. And here I thought the gun was good. This was going to be fun.

"Crikey, how would you like to step into the future?"

YO!

So, Daniel here. Not Flips. Because this is my chapter. And really, I'm running the story now. Ok, maybe not completely, but let me tell you, I'm a star. And I paused for dramatic effect, but you didn't see. Which is sad.

So, new villain dude. Or old villain dude. I'm not giving away who it is. That would be a spoiler, and spoilers are bad. And I just thought of so many to tell you, but I'm going to keep them to myself because I don't want to ruin your epic reading experience. I'm nice like that.

Let's see... I get to come up with the question. Truthfully I'm tired and don't want to, but then again how often do I, kidnapped Mr. Damsel, get to write a question? Never. Unless you count now. But I'll stop rambling and get to the part you guys actually care about. The question. You know, she actually reads all those replies. You lucky Growlithe you.

Pokemon Question of the Day: (I keep thinking about pants) OH that's good! So what is the funniest... wait I'm being told that's a bad question. All of my questions are good though. Hm. I'm ruining this question thing. I'm changing it. Come up with questions for me or something. Because you are all lazy readers who never ask me any questions. I travel back in time for your entertainment. And eat all those donuts (they go to my waist, guys) just to make you happy. So ask me some questions. Whatever you want. I'll have fun possibly answering. Either way I'll reply. Depends what you ask.

Yes. I mentioned questions. I did my civic duty. My chapter. Perfect.

Well, I guess that's it. You should totally vote and comment on this chapter. It's the best one because, like I said, it's mine.

Also, Crikey says hi.

-Daniel