Art of War: Game of Chess

Chapter- 39: Revolution and Rats

"Mr Ketchum, a revolutionary discovery!"
"Congratulations, Mr Ketchum!"
"Can I get a picture, Mr Ketchum?"
"Please indulge me in some business, Mr Ketchum!"
"Mr Ketchum... Please grace us with your information!"
Ash was steadily getting annoyed by the Scientists hounding him constantly. Shortly after, the Researchers and technocrats representing the most powerful industrial giants in the world were inviting him for an apprenticeship. Everyone wanted to sponsor him, or work with him. He soon understood that these were the same people who were opposed to a 'child' on the stage before. The offers were ridiculous, at points, in fact.
"Hello there, Ash. " It was Steven, "Ash, you know what I'm going to say. There's an offer-"
"Good grief!" Ash exclaimed, "You too?"
"Eh... I guess you know. I'll never ask you to sell the information. That's with you and Samuel Oak. Nah... what I ask is that you work as a part- time Researcher for Devon Co. Oak already has some agreements with them. Double income, no real stress... we're already searching for mutated Pokémon found by Team Rocket. You see any, you tell us. That's alone an extra 10000 Pokédollars per month. Ordinary pay is an additional 20000. Pretty good, hmm?"
Ash blinked several times: "Is this even the time?"
"Yes, this is the time. Look at them. Those greedy and corrupt fellows. They want it. Silph Co and Devon Co are the most powerful and honest corporations around. But you know what Team Rocket did, right? They killed my father and uncle, and Bill's father. Half of the others are in decline or the pockets of Team Rocket or Galactic or Flare or others. You know that these corporations keep the peace throughout the global economy as much as the G- Men do militarily. If they get their hands on your technology, we're all doomed. We've got to act, fast. I've appointed Dr Fuji and he's had some knowledge of this work. In say a couple of years, we might begin-!"
A shot rang out through the building. Dr Fuji was standing straight back. Suddenly he clutched his chest and blood spurted out. He let out a gurgling sound as he collapsed. It was quite clear that he was dead before he hit the building.
Another shot hit Steven in the shoulder, but he was lucky to avoid the head or chest. At least he would live without anything life- threatening.
"All Pokémon exist for the glory of Team Galactic! Bow to its might!" Seymour the Scientist roared.
But before he could attack, Professor Oak had taken the gun out of his hand. Ash quickly sent out his Charizard and incinerated Seymour.
Then screams split the air as Scientists and industrialists dived for cover. The armed men protecting the Conference rushed in and secured the area.
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"Grand Executive Pierce. "
"Dr Zager. "
"Everything is going as planned. The only problem-"
"Only problem?! Zager, how dare you?! You supposed I haven't heard? I've heard Everything! An agent of Team Galactic in the scientific community! Possible infiltration by other teams in this place! The only link to mutated Pokémon other than Ash Ketchum terminated. Tons of information, including the Ketchum Paradox, in the hands of Team Galactic. And the worst, the League is now hunting for infiltrators everywhere!"
"Pierce, you know who their Supreme Leader is. He was the Supreme Leader's second- in- command before you were recruited into Team Rocket. Surely you can't say that he isn't capable of underestimating you."
"True, True. But... that little Rebel organization will pay. Team Galactic will regret the day they broke off from Team Rocket. Besides, we've got some good. "
"Really?"
"Lysandre Labs, and Team Flare, have agreed to the Technology Transfer. Mutation and cloning combined with Mega Evolution will be extremely devastating to even World Monarch Leon. Besides, Steven Stone is in hospital. And he's got amnesia. "
"Stone's got amnesia-?!"
"Yes. Zager. Ketchum's tending to him right now... but the League lost one of the greatest friends of Oak, Sycamore and Birch. He was the foremost non- scientific expert on Mega Evolution. That's a blow."
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In Devon Private Hospital, one of Indigo's best hospitals (and a charitable venture of Devon Co), Steven Stone woke up.
"Who am I?!"
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(A/N: 1. Thoughts on who the Supreme Leader of Teams Rocket and Galactic are? I'm not exactly sure what to do with Giovanni and Cyrus. I've still decided maybe Not to make them the bad guys. Maybe try out things from a perspective where they're good guys.
2. Seymour the Scientist was working for Team Galactic. To be honest I didn't like the Celine Dion I'm Alive wannabe. And he shot Fuji, the one who actually knew about Team Rocket.
3. Steven has amnesia and Ash's newfound fame is already coming to bite him in the ass. Things will be pretty difficult now. Please comment, I'm still thinking where to lead the story so... interact, comment, I want feedback!)