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What Lies at the Core	By : Twill Category: Pokemon > General Views: 6203 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. I'm not worth anything so don't sue.

Chapter List
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Unova. It was an incredible place. Even after spending almost a month in the reclusive nation, everything about the country amazed him. He stepped into the hotel elevator and took it to the main floor where his escort would be waiting.

The hotel, and all of his accommodations, were gifts from the Unovan government. He had gained quite a bit of fame back in his home country of Hoenn after a string of inventions and scientific breakthroughs. At thirty-four he was one of the youngest members of the scientific community to be recognized as professor and have his own lab. When he had first received the invitation, he thought that his work had impressed the distant country, and they had wanted to learn from him. After he had arrived however, he found out how wrong he had been.

As the elevator slowed to a halt, he stepped out into the hotel's impressive lobby and headed to where his guide had waited for him every day since arriving. She was there to ensure he didn't go anywhere that the Unovan government deemed restricted as much as show him around, but she was pleasant and helpful none the less.

“So Professor, are you anxious to get back to your homeland now that you're stay is almost over?” She was another of the country's marvels. He had understood every word she'd said as clearly as if they had been spoken by a human. But with her sleek gray fur and long crimson mane, she was most certainly not.

“Rel if I didn't have to, I would never leave this place,” he replied walking up to her. The country let almost no information leave their soil, and even went as far as to have a fake port set up for trading with other countries. They were so much more advanced than he could have ever imagined, it was hard to believe they were less than a week's journey by boat.

“Rules are rules,” the Zoroark said to him with her usual smile, “But I may have some good news for you. If you are interested, the Pokemon Council has allowed me to return to Hoenn with you, if you wanted that is.” She looked up at him with light violet eyes, expression unchanging. He on the other hand couldn't believe what he was hearing.

“You would come back to Hoenn with me? For how long?” He asked, unable to hide his surprise.

“It would be a permanent arrangement unless you no longer wished for me to stay. There would be a few limitations of course, but I would be able to, nudge, your research in certain directions if you wished.” He gaped at her. The knowledge she held, on top of what he'd learned from being in the city, would be... Well he couldn't even fathom. It would not only aid his research immensely, but it would likely change the entire course of Hoenn's development. And on top of that he had grown rather fond of his fox like guide.

“You would be willing to leave your home forever? To go to Hoenn?” She giggled at his shock.

“Of course. Mewtwo and I have always talked about sending another emissary to one of the foreign lands again. And I don't mean to try and pressure you, but it is very rare that someone is allowed to leave Unova and interfere, even in small ways. In fact if you accept, it would be the first time in almost a hundred years,” Rel said, looking as if she were trying to sell her pitch. It was a waste of time.

“Of course, I'd be thrilled for you to accompany me back,” he said, still barely able to believe what she was offering. And the Pokemon Council itself had thought him worthy of such an honor? He had met Mewtwo during his stay, and the pokemon was, intense, to say the least. Such power he had radiated merely from being in the room. It had been quite a humbling experience.

“Great,” Rel exclaimed with a wide grin, the splash of red fur at the edge of her mouth accenting her excitement.

“I don't know why you'd be happy to leave this place, but I'm more than glad,” he said, returning the smile. “Now that you mention it though, why doesn't Unova give more to aid the other countries? Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for this invitation and your offer to come with me, but I feel you would be able to do much more.” Rel's smile faded slightly.

“In the past, before I was born, Unova tried. Unfortunately such rapid development created many problems that the government at the time hadn't anticipated and ultimately, weren't able to handle. In the end, Unova's interference ended in tragedy for the nation receiving aid, and Unova was forced to withdraw.

“After that, the Core Nations, Unova and the other two I mentioned the other day, created laws to restrict interaction with any others. After careful consideration by both of Unova's high councils, as well as the Core Assembly, we feel that a limited outreach, such as your invitation here to carefully screened individuals, could benefit all involved parties.”

“I see,” he said finally, still getting used to her impressive ability to censor information on the fly. He wondered what had happened to the unnamed country, but he was sure that he wouldn't get anything further from her. Rel wasn't one to dwell on something though, and quickly returned to her chipper self.

“So, only three days left,” she said looking up at him. “What would you like to do today?”

“Hmm, how about the Maderus plant?” He asked, referring to one of the only manufacturing facilities that assembly relied completely on pokemon.

“I could schedule a tour of their headquarters, but unfortunately I can't take you inside the production facility,” she said as the two of them began to walk towards the exit of the lobby.

“How about one of the other cities to the north?”

“You know that I can't do that, you've asked almost every day.”

“I know, but with only a couple days left, might as well try,” he said smiling down to her. “The Vitashield facility?”

“I've given you the list of things you're allowed to visit,” she said with a sigh.

“I'm sure it's much shorter than the other list,” he muttered. “I've pretty much seen everything on the list already, isn't there anything else you could show me?” The two of them exited the hotel and stepped out onto one of the busy Castelia streets. The expansive city was a marvel of urban planning, and the inhabitants were just as incredible.

Pokemon and Humans both walked the streets, but there were no pokemon trainers here. Pokemon were basically the same as humans in this futuristic place. There were still pokemon battles, some even with human teammates similar to tournaments back home, but here it was treated much differently than back home.

Besides not being caught by trainers, pokemon here owned property, had jobs, their own academies. Almost of them could even speak the human language such as his Zoroark guide did. Was this what Hoenn would be like a few hundred years from now? He had asked why the pokemon here were so much different from those in his home land, but of course that was another one of the off limit topics.

“Well how about I try and think of something over some breakfast,” he finally said, coming up with no other ides.

“As you wish,” she replied happily and led him down the street to find somewhere to eat. A few minutes later found them sitting in a small place that served greasy breakfast items during the morning, and greasy lunch items during the afternoon. Both of them ordered egg sandwiches and sat down at one of the small tables.

“You're going to have to get used to some different foods when you come back to Hoenn with me,” he said to the Zoroark who sat across from him, devouring her sandwich.

“Hmm?” She said looking up and quickly swallowing the mouthful she had. “Is your food much different? I hadn't even considered,” she said looking thoughtful.

“Different enough, also most of it is a lot less greasy,” he joked.

“Well most of the money budgeted for your stay went towards the hotel, we have much nicer places, you just can't afford to eat there,” Rel said with a laugh. “Maybe I'll take you somewhere nice for your last day.” Things like that still sounded odd to him, he wondered if she knew that pokemon don't really have the same status that they did in Unova, or if it would bother her. For some reason though she seemed to be excited to go with him.

“So I was thinking maybe we could take the rapid transport system to the Unova Advanced Research Hospital again?” He asked, unable to think of anywhere else that he could still learn something and be allowed in.

“Of course, we can go as soon as you're finished” Rel said happily, unconsciously tapping one of her red claws against the table. She always finished eating before him and despite being a government official, she was never still for long. He finished his meal as quickly as he could and they left for Castelia's incredibly efficient public transportation system.

The line for the rapid transport system moved quickly as a steady stream of people moved into the booths. While he hadn't been able to get any specifics out of Rel, she had told him that it involved psychic pokemon and harnessing their teleport ability. However it was managed, it was possible to be almost anywhere in the city in the blink of an eye.

He entered the machine with the pass that he had been provided with that allowed him to use the machines. With his limited access, most of the destinations were off limits, but there was nothing he could do. He had asked but Rel had told him that there was no use in trying to petition for further access to the city. After picking his destination, the world flashed around him and the doors opened. His whole body tingled lightly for a moment as he stepped out and Rel followed just a moment behind.

“So what are you going to do for me when you come to Hoenn?” He asked Rel as they made their way towards the research hospital. “And you mentioned limitations?”

“I can do whatever you'd like. Help out with your research, point you in the right direction if I see fit, mostly anything you want. There are a few restrictions, like what I'm allowed to tell you or mention about our technology. I also am not allowed to be captured in one of those pokeballs or be given to anyone else except to someone that can ensure my safe and quick return to Unova, should it ever be necessary.”

“Oh and I'm not allowed to fight, which is the only restriction that's mine and not in place by the government,” she said looking pleased. “I'd also prefer to stay out of the media as I'm sure not many outsiders have seen my kind before,” she added tapping a claw to her chin. “Though I'd be happy to make illusions for you.”

After the short walk, Rel lead him to where the researchers had a few of their labs and introduced him. Humans and pokemon working on such advanced projects side by side, it truly was incredible. The facility itself according to Rel was one of the most advanced medical facilities in the world, and he could believe it.

This was not the first time he'd been here, and likely he could spend two lifetimes trying to learn all of the knowledge contained within its walls, but medical knowledge would be some of the most useful information he could bring back home. Most of the techniques and devices were so far beyond what Hoenn had to offer, but if he could get a sense of the fundamentals, they could lead him in the direction to breakthrough advances for his homeland.

The rest of the day was spent with the researchers. He was allowed by the government to keep recordings for himself of any conversations he wished to have record of, so naturally he fired question after question, getting as much information recorded so he could study it further once he left Unova. Rel chimed in with a bit of information here and there but for the most part she just observed. Her specialty wasn't in medicine.

By the end of it, his mind was reeling. All of the information that he was trying to retain mixed with the dozens of questions he wished he had time to ask. It had been an exhausting day. Walking next to him was his Zoroark bodyguard, looking just as happy to have spent the day listening to his probing questions as she had eating breakfast. Nothing ever seemed to mar her enthusiasm.

“Same time tomorrow?” He asked as the two of them reached the doors to his hotel.

“Only two more,” she replied merrily. “You should think of what non restricted places you want to see ahead of time so you're not wasting time deciding,” she chided, seeming ready to head out again if he wished. Knowing her, she'd take him too. He wondered if she ever slept.

“I'll try,” he said with a slight laugh and a wave. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” he heard back and Rel walked off into the night. He watched her go for a second, remembering how she'd said that crime in the city was almost nonexistent. This place was almost too perfect, like a utopia that had somehow managed to work. How it had been formed he had no idea. And realistically they could be hiding quite a lot from him, but with how far their civilization had come compared to where he had grown up, maybe it wasn't a lie.

He ascended the hotel and cleaned up before bed. This world, the one in which the inhabitants of Unova lived, he could make this a reality for all the people back in Hoenn someday. The other countries that shared Hoenn's border's too. This would be the birth of a new age, and he would herald its coming he thought as he climbed into bed.

He woke early the following morning having no idea on where he wanted to visit. He still had nothing in mind as he met Rel in their usual spot, and again decided to grab something quick to eat first.

“So would I be a bad person if I took a day and just wanted to see what you do around here for fun?” He asked in somewhat of a facetious manner, not expecting it to light up Rel's face like it did.

“Of course not,” she said, a grin spreading across her face. “You can't be a workaholic every day.”

“This coming from someone who's spent their last month watching over me every minute of the day?” He asked.

“Oh this isn't too bad, it's actually really fascinating. Talking with you is like getting the chance to talk to someone from the past.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth she clapped her paws to her snout.

“I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it like that, I just meant-” he cut her off though. In truth he felt like someone being dragged into the future, a child among the people of Unova.

“Don't worry about it,” he smiled disarmingly to her. “I'm sure it would seem like that, and I'm glad to see you have an interest in old technology, because I don't think you fully understand what you're getting yourself into coming back to Hoenn with me,” he laughed.

“Yeah I guess so,” she said still not meeting his gaze and shifting her feet awkwardly. “But like I was saying,” she continued after a moment, “this hasn't been any trouble at all. All I have to do is make sure you don't learn anything that would make it so you weren't allowed to return to your country.”

“Wait is that an option?” He said looking up with interest.

“Or get you executed,” she retorted, meeting his sudden enthusiasm with a deadpan expression. He gave her a searching look, unsure if she was joking or not. One of the few things he didn't focus on during his stay in Unova was their political structure or laws. In hindsight he probably should have spent some time looking into it but he never had a mind for politics. He knew there was a human and a pokemon council that ran the country cooperatively, but besides that he knew little else.

“Alright then, well how about back to what you do for fun around here,” he changed the subject awkwardly before he found out if he was in danger of being killed by the Unovan government.

“Oh right, well, there's plenty to do. There's pokemon battles, though probably a little different from what you're used to. There's also musicians playing or galleries around the city, plenty of bars if you want a drink. I may be biased but I personally enjoy the illusories. They're usually run by Zoroark and they can make anything you want to see.”

Rel listed off activities around the city as she almost bounced with excitement, explaining a few of the things that she thought he might not understand. She seemed to have an endless supply of that of energy and cheer.

“How old are you?” Rob asked interrupting her, just realizing that he hadn't found this out prior. Rel blushed.

“I'm five. I'm sorry I know I'm supposed to be a representative of Unova, I get carried away sometimes.” She looked down, wilting slightly.

“No no, I just can't believe I hadn't asked before now,” he said quickly. “Though, you're only five? How is it that you know as much as you do? There's no way you could have learned everything that you know in such a short amount of time.” Rel looked up.

“Oh, well pokemon don't grow like humans; if we are pushed to evolve early our bodies can undergo drastic changes at a young age, like a human suddenly becoming physically the same as an adult a few months after being born. There are also other advantages to being a pokemon as far as schooling is concerned.” She said, completely forgetting about his previous blunder.

“Other advantages?” He inquired. He was sure that if it were specific to pokemon than the human scientists here would have tried to harness it for themselves, but it couldn't hurt to try his hand at the problem. Rel only smiled at him though. “I see, another one of those subjects,” he sighed.

The government had allowed him to visit any of the major human academies in Castelia, but all of the pokemon academies had been prohibited. While the human institute he had visited had much more integration with technology than schools back home, they were largely very similar. The pokemon academies however, well there was nothing to even compare them with; it would have been interesting to see.

“Oh well, so what about those illusories you mentioned, what are those like?” Rel's eyes brightened at his question, a smile creeping back across her face.

“Well I've showed you some of the illusions that I can make before,” she said, a palm sized Zorua appearing on the table and prancing about. “But those of my kind who practice can make truly amazing illusions, it's almost impossible to tell that they aren't real.” He had to admit that her illusions were pretty convincing, but while it was a neat trick, it was on a pretty small scale.

“I guess I wouldn't mind checking one out, is it like a movie theater?” He asked.

“I guess so, though I've only seen pictures of those. I have some friends at one of the smaller illusories, maybe I can get you a private viewing.” She said laughing.

“You don't have to do anything like that,” he protested, but she waved him off insisting it was nothing.

Half an hour later he found himself being lead to a large building that sat close to the outskirts of the city. He laughed to himself at the fact that the only time he was allowed even remotely close to the city limits it was to see a futuristic version of a movie. Not that he wasn't grateful of course, but still. When they walked in, a group of three Zoroarks were waiting to meet them.

“Hi!” Rel greeted cheerily and hugged the lead one.

“Nice to see you Rel,” he said returning the hug. “This is the human visiting from Hoenn you spoke of?”

“Mhmm, this is Professor Eric Freyd,” Rel said introducing him to the group.

“Hi,” he greeted with a small wave. The group looked him over with interest, their light blue eyes at odds with those of Rel's less common coloring.

“Well I'll just be a minute, Seon here can show you to the room, I'll meet you there,” Rel said to him, indicating the large Zoroark she had hugged when they entered. After Rel left with the other two Zoroark, Seon motioned for him to follow.

“So you're taking Rel to Hoenn with you? I don't mean anything by it, but just make sure she's kept out of harm, she's always been impulsive. And well, you know, I'm sure you're more familiar with your home than I am, just keep her safe,” Seon said from beside him. It wasn't hostility or even unfriendliness, but the Zoroark's words seemed to imply something more. He wasn't exactly sure how to take it, or what the Unovans even really thought of the other regions. He probably thinks we're savages.

“Sure thing,” he said after a moment as they continued their way down the dim hallway. While they walked he realized that this was really the first time that he'd ever been left alone with another Unovan, without Rel watching over him. He wondered if he could get any information out of Seon that Rel wouldn't tell him, but he never got the chance. Seon stopped in front of a door and turned to him.

“Since this is your first time we'll try and keep things a little tame for you. Just remember, nothing in there is real, and if you need, just let Rel know and she can signal us to stop,” the Zoroark explained to him.

“Oh don't worry about me, I've seen a few of the illusions that Rel can do.” The Zoroark only grinned wider at his comment though.

“Our illusions are a bit different than you average Zoroark,” he said with a smirk. “Since we're going through all the trouble of a private show for the two of you, anything in particular you'd like to see?”

“You know I told her she didn't have to do this, I'm sorry for the bother,” he began but Seon cut him off with a laugh.

“Don't worry about it, it's no problem at all. Rel is like a sister to us, we've been friends since childhood, consider it a going away present.”

“Well I guess seeing some of the legendary pokemon would be interesting. I met Mewtwo when I first arrived here but aside from him, I've only seen a handful of legendaries, and only in pictures.” He didn't know if he that was something the government would even consider him privy to but the Zoroark didn't object.

“I think we can come up with something,” Seon said as Rel returned, walking down the hallway behind them.

“Ready?” she asked with a grin of anticipation. Chairs lined the walls of the square room Rel lead him into, and a balcony ran around its interior about half way to the ceiling.

“This is it?” He asked, looking around. He didn't quite know what he should have expected, something a little more, futuristic looking? Rel smiled at him.

“Just wait. Also, since it's just the two of us in here, you can get up and walk around if you wish. Normally you wouldn't be able to see others and would need to remain in your seat, but if you do get up you can use me to find your way back. Otherwise sit back and enjoy.” Rel laughed lightly and took one of the seats towards the center of the wall. He took a seat beside her and the lights in the room cut, throwing them into absolute darkness.

And as suddenly as the lights went out, he was in the middle of an open field. The sun shone down on him without warmth, and he could see into the distance for miles. The chair he had been sitting on was gone, though he could still feel it supporting him. He turned slightly and pressed his hand to where the wall had been. Its cold hard surface resisted his touch, though his mind told him he should be able to reach out into the field beyond.

He turned back to see Rel watching him with amusement, but his attention was snagged by the leader of the Unovan Pokemon Council teleporting in front of him.

“Hello Professor,” Mewtwo said, smiling down at him and sounding just as he remembered. He fought not to stand at the leader's presence, trying to tell himself that it wasn't real. As much as he tried though, it was incredibly convincing.

Mewtwo turned away from him and the ground erupted in a fountain of earth as the red body of Groudon ascended from the land below. Mewtwo's arm rose to fend off the shower of dirt that flew towards them, and he couldn't help but do the same. His eyes slammed shut out of instinct, but nothing ever reached him. Slowly he opened his eyes, as the creator of land towered over him.

---------------------------------------------------

He breathed heavily, his heart pounding inside his chest as the room returned to darkness. He had told himself over and over again during the show that it wasn't real, but that hadn't calmed him one bit. It had been incredible. He took a moment to catch his breath, resting his head against the cool wall behind him, and allowing the adrenaline to fade from his system. The lights were turned back on to reveal Rel grinning widely at him.

“So what did you think?” she asked trying to hold back her mirth.

“You did not prepare me for that,” he replied, getting a laugh in return. Rel pulled him unsteadily to his feet and gave him a pat on the back as they returned to the hallway.

“Well?” The one leading them, Seon, asked as they approached.

“I had no idea what I was getting myself into,” he breathed, still struggling to keep his legs from giving out on him. The trio smiled widely.

“We held back to what we thought you could handle while still wanting to give you a show you'd remember,” one of the others said laughing. “A master illusory could have probably done that by himself, but we didn't want to make it too intense for you. We've seen a few people have bad reactions to shows before, especially newcomers.” The other Zoroark nodded in agreement.

“Well I can guarantee you that I will never forget this. I was skeptical when Rel brought me here, but it was well worth it. Thanks so much for the opportunity.” Back home he had never been a fan of movies, but being in this, this had been like living the experience.

“It was most certainly worth it,” Rel said trying to stifle a giggle. “When you screamed as that Rayquaza flew right at us, it was the funniest thing,” she said and broke down laughing with the rest of them. His cheeks burned.

“Don't worry, you wouldn't be the first,” Seon said patting him on the shoulder in consolation. After making their goodbyes and thanking the Zoroark again, he left the illusory with Rel and headed back towards downtown Castelia.

“I'm glad you decided to go,” she said as they walked slowly down the afternoon lit streets. “I won't say that my intentions weren't at least a little selfish, I'll miss them, I'm glad I got to see at least one more show before leaving.” Rel's eyes looked distant for a moment, a bittersweet smile replacing her usual laughter.

“I'm glad you convinced me,” he said smiling down at her. “And I'm sorry you won't be able to see your shows or friends again. Were you close?” Her reminiscent expression deepened as she answered.

“Seon and I have been friends almost since we were born, and Zoroark tend to have close communities. I'll miss them, but I'll also be one of the few to get to see some of the world for myself. I have no regrets. Besides, maybe you can show me some of your movies,” she said looking up at him with interest.

“I feel like you may find them quite a letdown after something like that. But while staying with me maybe you'll have some time to work on you own illusions if that's something you're interested in.”

“Really? You think I'll have time for that? I don't want to hold you back or anything, I'm being sent there to work for you.” He laughed with just a hint of disbelief.

“I'm not going to be running you ragged there, you'll have all the free time you want. Besides, why would you be so intent on working for me, what do you get in return if you're stuck living in Hoenn?” He asked. I didn't think I came off as a slave driver, maybe I do work too much.

“Well,” she said looking around conspiratorially. “Don't tell anyone here but my leaving is going to make sure that my family is well taken care of, as well as ensuring that I have anything I might need back in Hoenn provided for.” Rel said, a sly grin twisting face. “When it was figured out, the council decided to compensate me at eighty hours a week, and at a price appropriate for my dedication.”

“I see, well I may put myself through a week like that on occasion, but you're free to step away from my insanity if you need a break.”

For the rest of the day, he let Rel lead him around the city, telling her to just lead him around to some of her favorite places. They visited a few of the parks around the city and some of the other interesting local sights. She admitted that even a couple of the monuments that she'd have liked to take him to see were considered off limits for his visit. They also had lunch at one of the small cafes that Rel said she'd lived by when she was a Zorua.

By the time they returned to his hotel, the sun had long sank below the horizon, though if he had to guess, Castelia hadn't seen a dark night in centuries with all of the city's lights.

“So,” Rel began as they stopped outside the hotel's doors. “Did you have anything in mind for your last day?”

“Well unless the government changes it's mind, there's nothing more that I'd really like to see. You've spent every day for the past month shepherding me around the city, and you'll be leaving the next morning with me. Why don't you just take the day off and spend it doing something you want, say goodbye to people you'll never see again or something.” Rel gaped at him.

“But I couldn't do that. This is your last chance to see Unova. After this you'll never be allowed back here and you've been saying this whole time that a month isn't nearly enough time for everything you wanted to see,” she protested.

“I've learned more on this visit than I could have if I'd spent every minute of the rest of my life in Hoenn studying. I have more information than I'll ever be able to use successfully, I'll just spend tomorrow looking over my notes and preparing to leave, you enjoy yourself one last time.”

“A-are you sure?” she asked looking up at him with wide, violet eyes.

“Yeah, don't worry about me.” Rel launched herself at him, pulling him into a tight hug.

“Thanks,” she mumbled into his chest and pulled back. “How about I make it up to you by actually going to someplace nice to eat in the evening?” She asked grinning.

“Sounds like a plan, have a good night,” he waved to her and returned to his rooms to go to sleep.
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What Lies at the Core