The Hybrid Experiment

Chapter 3: Fugitives

*Nathan's POV*

"Don't make a sound- I'm getting you out of here," I whisper to the terrified hybrid, my Eevee coming out rather sloppily due to my haste- I can only hope that he understands.

Giovanni, you were wrong! A will, a soul, and a being- this hybrid is more than just a simple lab experiment! He is a Pokemon, the result of my own research taken much too far. Despite my previous allegiances, I feel responsible for what this poor Pokemon had to endure... Don't worry, Jake, I will tear apart Team Rocket with my own hands! It will never be enough for you to forgive me, but...

Making up my mind in an instant, I pull the knife from Jake's neck, quickly cover the wound with several layers of gauze, and fling the bloody object in Maxwell's direction. I know that I'm giving him a weapon, but I can't bear to keep it with me.

Stuffing Jake into a small briefcase, I rush to my desk, and alarms begin to blare all around me. My pulse quickens- I realize that Maxwell had probably sounded it.

There will be plenty of guards to subdue me in no time- I need to hurry! I panic and grab a few extra things from my desk- some more bandages; my Life Tether, an experimental machine I had been working on to further connect with Pokemon; and a book on a few old Pokemon villages- before finally stepping out into the main room.

I break into a sprint when I hear Giovanni call from behind me,

"Stop him! That traitor is escaping with lab research!" Get back here, or, so help me, I'll..."

But he is far too late- I am already leaving in the elevator by the time he had started his threat, and the rest is lost behind the closing elevator doors. I smile slightly, imagining that it probably just contains an obsequious amount of cursing and anger- nothing actually pertinent to the high-treason plan that I'm about to commit against Team Rocket.

Upon reaching the top of the elevator, I am greeted with a short "ding" when the doors open. The receptionist greets me, but I pay her no heed. Knowing I only have seconds before I am overrun by my former team, I quickly command Metagross to dismantle the control to the elevator, effectively buying me some time to get away. The Iron Leg Pokemon slams its blue fist into the control panel, and a soft, dwindling voice confirms my sabotage,

"Elevator control switch damaged... Re... routing main elevator... T-Minus thirty minu..."

I smile, knowing that I have, at least, sometime before I'm overwhelmed. With the hybrid practically knocking on Death's door, I lace up his bandages, quickly leave Goldenrod City, and dash into the forest, intent on saving this one's life.

*Jake's POV*

My neck... Urgh... *cough* I wake up on the cold ground of a nearby forest, but, even though I know this forest connects back to the village, my critical condition does not allow me to think about anything else, and, as I open my eyes, I can't help but wonder.

Nathan? What- why?

I stare blankly at Nathan, my body too tired to do anything else.

"Oh, thank goodness!" he exclaims, gentle stroking my head. His hand feels warm to the touch, but I still don't think I can trust him. Biding my time, I wait, and he continues to talk to me.

"For a minute, I didn't think that you would survive that gruesome wound- any ordinary Pokemon would have keeled over and given up by now. Anyway, I think we need to be extremely careful- if someone sees you, chances are, Pokemon collectors from all over will flock to us. We can't risk that kind of attention... Look," he points out something, and I painstakingly stand up.