Unbroken Disguise

N was frustrated.

Which, granted, was probably to be expected from someone with his views while travelling with a group of trainers.

But it wasn’t for the reasons he had gone into this expecting.

When he had learned that Mimikyu wanted to do this, he had been expecting situations that would make him want to throttle the trainers at a minimum. Treating what should be their friends as little more than tools. Forcing Pokemon away from their families because it would better their odds against the next Gym Leader. Causing them pain, hurting them again and again because that would make them stronger in the long run.

He still found himself in situations that made him want to throttle the trainers. It just wasn’t any of those at the moment.

“Brock, please, you have to help me out here. Surely you can understand the problem with the whole situation?”

The dark skinned teen hummed in thought as they walked through the forest. “I think if you had asked me that question before I met Ash, I might agree with you to a degree. Maybe I’ve just become desensitized to it all… but as much as I dislike that it happens, that was an average day in my book.”

“Is it really not normal?” Dawn asked. “It’s been happening since the first day of my journey, so I just sort of assumed…”

“I still don’t see what the big deal is.” Ash sighed. “Some bad guys cause trouble, we stop them, rinse and repeat! It’s been like that everywhere I’ve gone, there’s no way that’s not how it is for everyone!”

“Honestly, if I don’t get to send them blasting off every so often, I start to get antsy. It’s part of our routine at this point.” Pikachu chimed in, not that most of the party would understand him.

“I don’ think yer gonna win this one, N.” Mimikyu tried to console him. “If it makes ya feel any better, I’m well aware that it’s strange. If I get the chance, I might even do somethin’ about it… Ya gotta remember though, Ash and Brock ‘ave been dealin’ with this nonsense on an almost daily basis for three whole League runs now. From their point of view, it’d prob’ly be weirder ta not ‘ave it happen in Sinnoh.”

“Fine.” N sighed, finally accepting that he wasn’t going to get anywhere with it. If they wanted to live in some fantasy world where the Team Rocket situation was normal, he wasn’t going to be able to pull them out of it.

It wasn’t too different from normal, really. He had long grown used to trainers not listening when he told them they were wrong. At least there was no serious harm involved this time.

“Can we at least agree that the Marowak situation was strange?” he hedged.

“What’s strange about Marowak?” the little Ground type at his feet sniffled. Cubone had seen fit to travel with them a little while longer, though N wasn’t sure how long it would last.

“There’s nothing strange about Marowak in general,” N reassured his friend, “It’s just that his methods were a bit…”

“They definitely weren’t something I was expecting,” Brock agreed.

“I think it was awesome to see Pokemon working together like that!” Ash exclaimed. “It gave me all sorts of ideas I could use for future battles!”

“Maybe don’t do that Ash…” Brock hesitated.

“Why not?”

“Because war tactics are banned from the League. Using them is a good way to end up in a lot of trouble.”

“War tactics?” Dawn questioned.

“Strategies that were used in war rather than normal battles.” N answered. “They tend to be on the more… brutal and destructive side of things.” N may hate the League and want the whole system torn down, but he could at least respect that they were trying to keep that part of history from rearing its ugly head again.

“Not everyone agreed with the decision…” Brock continued the explanation, and N thought he heard Ash grumble something about a “surge”, “...but a lot of changes were made after the last war. That Marowak must have fought in it. The poor thing looked old and scarred enough for it…”

“Wild Pokemon fought in the war?” The blue haired trainer followed up with confusion evident on her face.

“In a few cases, if their territory was threatened, but I think it’s much more likely Marowak simply… outlived their trainer.”

“Marowak doesn’t like to talk about it…” Cubone’s tears ran down his face a little more heavily.

That put a damper on the mood of the group after N translated, but Mimikyu broke the contemplative silence that had followed.

“How long ago was this war, exactly, if ya got Pokemon outlivin’ their trainers?” Mimikyu asked.

“I want to say 15, maybe 20 years ago?” N replied. “Unova was actually neutral during the last war so it doesn’t get focused on much back home…”

N noticed Brock scowl at that, but he wasn’t entirely sure why.

“It was 20 years ago.” the ex Gym Leader confirmed. It looked like he wanted to say more on the subject, but their conversation was interrupted by a large gust of wind sending leaves into the air from not too far away. “I wonder what that was?”

“Shall we have a look?” N suggested.

The group diverted off the path, eager to investigate.

This brown dye was going to be a pain to get out of his fur.

But it would all be worth it in the end!

Meowth couldn’t decide if it was good or bad luck that they had stumbled upon Nurse Joy and the lost Nuzleaf at the same time as the twerps.

On the one hand, that meant more people that they had to trick.

On the other hand… Well, it was the twerps! They weren’t exactly the brightest bunch at the best of times, and the blue haired one was turning out to be no different.

The new guy with the green hair might be a bit of a concern, but Meowth swore that he’d been there for the last time the twerps interrupted their work, and he’d just stood there slack jawed. Probably not anything to worry about. And hey! His Cubone and… well, whatever that other Pokemon was… they were just out in the open! Ripe for the picking, as soon as the Nuzleaf was in their paws.

Although… something did feel off about that Pikachu looking one…

“They’re coming this way! Get out there Meowth!” Jessie demanded, pushing him from out of the brush.

Stumbling, he considered dropping the act just to get back at her for that, but they were so close to greatness! Things would definitely work out this time, and the boss would love them! Meowth scrambled to the top of the rock, Shiftry disguise in place as he called out to the twerps. “Shiftry!”

“Wow, a Shiftry!” Twerp number one called out.

“Maybe Shiftry is one of Nuzleaf’s friends!” Blue twerp suggested.

Hook, line, and sinker. Their stupidity always astounded him, especially since the twerps had only recently gotten out of Hoenn. They should really know what a Shiftry looked like…

“Dawn I can forgive, but are ya blind, Ash?” Meowth couldn’t see any mouths moving so it must have been the Pikachu looking one. “That definitely ain’ no Shiftry, jus’ look at it!”

The nerve! Meowth’s Shiftry disguise was clearly leagues better than that punk’s Pikachu cosplay!

“Are you sure?” The green haired one questioned. “I’ve never seen a Shiftry before so I guess I’m not sure what to look for. Though just saying its name is a bit odd, I suppose…”

Before they could question it further, Jessie and James came up behind him.

“There you are, you shifty Shiftry!” Jessie called out to him as she approached.

“Who are you guys?” the twerpette asked.

“Oh, just your typical mountain climbers!” James replied in a sing-song voice.

“I’m a girl, though.” Jessie butted in.

“Alright, that’s enough of this garbage.” the Pikachu wannabe declared as he jumped off the new twerp’s shoulder.

…dang it Jessie, they were doing so well!

“Mimikyu? What’s wrong?” the mature twerp inquired.

But the little guy, apparently a Mimikyu, ignored him, marching right up to Meowth and his crew. Or, well, Meowth couldn’t really see what his feet were doing under there, but he assumed it was a march.

Maybe this was their chance? Sure they’d likely lose out on the Nuzleaf, but this Pokemon seems even rarer! Never seen one of them before…

Stopping right in front of the rock they were standing on, the unfamiliar Pokemon spoke up once more. “Look ‘ere. I got things ta do, places ta be. I ain’ about ta waste my time every few days dealin’ with a bunch of Rockets.”

“Wait, those are Rockets?” Pikachu gasped from the main twerp’s shoulder.

If Meowth could sweat, he’d be breaking out into a cold one right now. What had given them up? They’d only just started! Was it Jessie’s stupid “I’m a girl” line?!

“Now, I’m feelin’ generous, so I’ll give ya the opportunity ta walk away right now ‘n’ not bother us again, at least for a good while. If ya feel like tryin’ yer luck though… well, let’s jus’ say yer gonna have a bad time. Maybe even die? Not sure, I haven’ exactly tested it on anythin’ livin’ yet.”

“What’s it saying?” he heard Jessie whisper.

“I don’t know, I’ve never seen that Pokemon before!” James hissed back.

The green haired twerp walked up to the group cautiously.

“Now, Mimikyu, this sort of reaction is very… out of character for you… why are you accusing these people of such a thing?”

“Even if they are Rockets, that sort of threat is kind of harsh, isn’t it?” Pikachu chimed in, hopping down to join its poorly constructed double. “What are you even thinking of doing to them? We could just send them blasting off again, no problem… assuming you’re right about them being Rockets, of course.” The doubt was clear in the Electric type’s voice. So this knock off was the only one that could tell?

“Pikachu, are ya blind? How can ya not recognize them?!”

Meowth really didn’t like where this was going.

Pitch black tendrils snaked out from under Mimikyu’s disguise.

Meowth really didn’t like where this was going! What is that thing?!

Claws formed on the ends of the tendrils as they reached out and shook Pikachu.

The rat jolted as soon as contact was made.

“Wha- Team Rocket! I should have known!”

“Now ya see it?!” Mimikyu sighed before turning back to Meowth, those creepy arms reaching for the hem of the Pikachu cosplay. “I’m already sick of this. Last warnin’, get goin’ before ya see somethin’ that’ll haunt ya.”

Heart pounding in his chest, Meowth whispered back to the morons he was with, hoping the twerps didn’t overhear. “I think it might be time to scram!”

“No way!” Jessie hissed back. “They’re right there! Let’s just grab them!”

Meowth watched as Mimikyu lifted the hem just a tad.

Pikachu watched as Meowth collapsed, the sense of unease he felt around Mimikyu suddenly increasing by at least tenfold. This sort of feeling… it had been a while since he’d last felt something like it. He almost wondered if…

…no, surely not. And if that was the case, it would be revealed in time. Of more immediate importance was the Rockets in front of them.

“Meowth?” James whispered.

Jessie scooped him up, shaking the feline as she panicked. “Meowth? Wake up! Meowth!”

“Meowth? Woah, wait a minute, that’s Team Rocket!” Ash called out as the rest of the group finally caught on.

But what had happened? Pikachu didn’t see Mimikyu do anything and Meowth just collapsed on his own?

“Uh, Mimikyu? What just-”

Meowth sprang to life, screaming in fear and jumping out of Jessie’s hands.

“I’m too young to die!” he yowled as his fur stood on end. He looked around in a panic, all out of sorts until his eyes landed on Mimikyu again.

“It’s not worth it!” was the last thing he said before running away as fast as he could.

The other Rockets looked confused by the sudden turn of events, but were smart enough to join their friend, running out of sight and leaving Pikachu and company behind.

“Hopefully we won’ ‘ave ta deal with ‘em again any time soon. I ‘ave a feelin’ they’ll be back eventually though…”

Pikachu turned to Mimikyu as he spoke, watching the shadowy tendrils disappear beneath the cloth once more as the Ghost type turned back towards the group.

“Well? We ‘ave a Nuzleaf to get back home, don’ we?”

The rest of the group was just as shocked as Pikachu, not moving an inch, frozen in place save for Cubone whose tears were raining down heavier than ever.

“Right… guess I’ll ‘ave to explain as we walk.”

Brock wasn’t sure what to make of the situation.

With Bonsly and a Nuzleaf far from home in his sights, he ought to have been focused on them. The Cubone that N had befriended had joined the two of them, a fast friendship seemingly forming in front of his eyes. He should have expected it really, with the three of them being on the… perhaps the polite way to phrase it would be the sensitive side, they had more in common than one might think. But even if he wasn’t focused on the trio, then maybe he should have been focused on their surroundings as they trekked through the forest towards the ancient tree that was supposedly Nuzleaf’s home.

But his eyes wouldn’t leave the tiny ghost in the group.

It had been a hot minute since he’d last felt that sort of primal fear. To think he would experience it again with what he’d been told was only a Pokemon of middling rarity… that was concerning. But he would at least hear the two mysterious tagalongs out. He just wasn’t sure how to start the conversation, and N seemed to be hemming and hawing over something or other.

Luckily, Ash’s understanding of social norms was flawed at best.

“So what was that back there?” He asked, scratching under Pikachu’s chin. “Was it a move or something? I’ve never seen anything like it!”

That was a lie. Only Pikachu and Brock would be able to call him out on it, but Brock doubted that the boy’s best friend was any more eager than him to remind Ash of the last time.

There was a lull as N tried to find the words to answer Ash, but Mimikyu saw fit to help him out. Or at least, Brock assumed as much.

“Kyu-kyu.”

“...it wasn’t a move.” N started. “It was more… how would you say it…”

With the improvements that N’s Kantonian had seen recently, he thought it more likely that the delay was to formulate his thoughts rather than struggling with the vocabulary.

“Mimi-mi.” Mimikyu supplied.

“...a quirk of Mimikyu’s biology.”

“Huh? How’s that work?” Ash questioned.

“I’ve not had the opportunity to look into it myself,” N hedged, “but from what I’ve been told, Mimikyu wear disguises out of necessity rather than as a fashion statement or something.”

Was he trying to imply that it wasn’t a part of Mimikyu’s physical body? Brock had just assumed that it was a situation similar to Jynx or Gardevoir, where the “outfit” was made up of flesh or some other biological product. He had heard tales of a Bug type that wore outfits made of the scraps around them in Sinnoh, but they’d yet to come across one yet and the name escaped him.

“It seems that seeing what is hidden beneath the disguise is… not for the faint of heart. There are unsubstantiated rumors that those who see Mimikyu’s true form quickly meet their end.”

Brock could see Dawn shaking in terror out of the corner of his eye, and Cubone was barely holding it together, even if Brock couldn’t see the Ground type’s face.

“Mimikyu-kyu.”

“Right. It’s likely that those rumors are just nonsense, similar to the ones about Absol.” N tried to reassure them.

“Brock,” Dawn whispered to him, “What’s an Absol?”

“Dawn probably doesn’t know much about those rumors.” Brock spoke up. “Are you talking about how people think that they cause disasters wherever they go, when in reality they’re able to sense them beforehand and try to warn people?”

“Exactly,” N confirmed, “Many people aren’t aware of their precognitive abilities, and thus reverse the cause and effect. It’s understandable, given the nature of it, but it’s still wrong and I would assume that it causes many Absol grief.”

Dawn relaxed slightly at that. Hopefully she wouldn't get too wound up about it.

Though something about that explanation still irked him.

“I’m surprised that you know about Absol, N. With how surprised you are about all the new Pokemon you see, and what I’ve heard about the ones native to Unova…” It didn’t add up. Had he been lying to them? No… the amazement would be hard to fake…

“Ah, I know of Absol because I grew up around some… paranoid people who considered employing the services of one or two. It never happened, so I’ve not met one yet, but I did get the opportunity to learn about them.” The nervousness in his voice didn’t do much to comfort Brock, but that was a reasonable enough explanation. Pushing harder on the point would only draw suspicion.

“Kyu.”

“Ah, yes, back to what I was saying.” N latched onto the save. “While the rumors about it killing you are likely false, there’s no doubting the fact that seeing a bare Mimikyu is quite terrifying. Even without directly seeing it, we all felt as much, right?” He didn’t give them a moment to respond before continuing. “Mimikyu gave Meowth a glimpse, and well… you saw how that went.”

“Huh. Pokemon sure are amazing, aren’t they?” Ash said after a moment to digest the information.

That seemed to catch N off guard, but he smiled and answered in kind. “Yes, Ash. They really are…”

“I’m still confused though,” Ash continued. “How did Mimikyu know it was Team Rocket? We all thought it was a Shiftry and some mountain climbers!”

“KYU! Mimikyu-kyu…” the little ghost growled out.

“It would seem the better question is how we were fooled. I’m not familiar with Shiftry, but Mimikyu says it was a rather poor attempt at a disguise, and that the other Rockets were only wearing new outfits.” N thought for a moment. “Now that I think about it, weren’t they the same group who were trying to kidnap all the bird Pokemon?”

“Well, yeah, it’s almost always Jessie, James, and Meowth who come after Pikachu and other Pokemon.” Ash agreed. “Actually I’m not sure I could tell you the last time we saw any other Team Rocket members… but they’re masters of disguise! So they always get the drop on us.”

“Masters of disguise? They didn’t even bother to dye their hair! Other than the Meowth I guess…” N rebutted. “I know I’m not exactly one to talk, but those hair colors aren’t subtle by any stretch of the imagination. If it’s always the same people coming after your Pokemon, shouldn’t you recognize them on sight?”

“Hey!” Ash yelled. “You didn’t recognize them either! You were there for their last attempt, so what’s your excuse?!”

Ash really needed to get a better hold of his temper one of these days… there was quite a difference between seeing them once and… what had it been now? Hundreds of attempts that he and Ash had fought off?

But N seemed to take it seriously. “What is my excuse?” A hand went to his chin as he thought. “Why would I not have…”

“Kyu?”

“No, it can’t be that.”

“Mimikyu?”

“Maybe…”

Inspiration seemed to strike. “Do you know if Team Rocket has any Psychic type Pokemon?”

“Psychic types?” Brock questioned. A strange question to ask, but he was curious to see his line of reasoning. “They’ve got Wobbuffet with them at a minimum, the big blue Pokemon you saw last time.”

“What’s a Wobbuffet’s specialty? I’ve never heard of it before.”

That was… a good question actually. While Psychic types were all renowned for their intellect, most specialized into certain fields. If you wanted computing power, Metagross were the way to go with their four cored brains. Hypno were the best at exerting their control over others. Wobbuffet…

“I’m… not sure, actually.” Brock realized. “I’ve never heard any academics discuss them in that manner. Their movepool is pretty limited, with not a single attack in it. Their damage output comes entirely from Counter or Mirror Coat…”

“Hmmm.” N hummed. “Something to consider then.”

Something to consider? What was he on about? Not recognizing Team Rocket, Psychic types, Wobbuffet… What was the link…

“...are you suggesting that Wobbuffet is behind us not recognizing them?” Brock hesitantly asked.

“Among other things.” N confirmed. “It’s only a theory though, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.”

Ha. That was almost funny. Wobbuffet, influencing their minds enough for that… what a joke… there was no way…

…right?

When they eventually reached Nuzleaf’s home, N was amazed.

The ancient tree was huge. He should have assumed as much, knowing that it was reportedly over a millennium old, but seeing it in person was a whole different thing.

And the Pokemon… Ash and Mimikyu were kind enough to name the unfamiliar ones for him. Dozens of Seedot covered the tree, and a few Vileplume were scattered around the roots and forest floor around it. Nuzleaf were everywhere, and he got to see what a real Shiftry looked like. How Meowth and the Rockets had thought their disguise was a good representation of that he’d never know…

The whole lot of them were excited to see their friend returned to them safe and sound, and Nuzleaf was eager to introduce them to his “saviors”.

“These guys are amazing! That one there can use a leaf whistle almost as well as I can, and that one can understand what we say, and that one is really strong...” the Grass type lowered his voice for the next part, “the one over there is really scary, I would avoid him.”

N wished that all of his friends could get along, but he couldn’t really blame Nuzleaf for being afraid of Mimikyu after the ghost’s little display earlier.

“And these are my new best friends!” He exclaimed, wrapping an arm around Cubone and Bonsly. “Cubone isn’t a Grass type, but he’s still cool.”

Cubone teared up at that, but for once N didn’t think it was out of sadness.

“I’m not a Grass type either.” Bonsly corrected.

“Wait, you’re not?!” Nuzleaf seemed shocked, and N left them to have their moment together.

The other humans in the group were watching over the reunion with a smile as the sun set in the distance.

“It’s not much farther to Oreburgh, you know. Just a single mountain between us and the city.” N mentioned.

“That’s right!” Ash beamed. “I can’t wait to get my first badge in the Sinnoh League!”

“Confident, are we?”

“He might not get it on the first shot, but he won’t leave the city without a badge.” Brock said with a proud smile.

N didn’t understand them. Couldn’t understand them. Though perhaps seeing Ash in a Gym battle would change that. He’d heard that people’s true colors showed when they were in a fight. Actions speak louder than words, after all.

“We should probably be on our way.” Brock shielded his eyes as he looked towards the setting sun. “We still have some ground to catch if we want to make it in the Gym before it closes tomorrow. Bonsly! Wrap it up, we need to leave!”

N turned back towards the tree, watching as Bonsly ran up to his trainer without hesitation… and Cubone nervously made his way up to him.

“Is something wrong, Cubone?”

“I… I want to stay here, with Nuzleaf!” The Ground type shook like a leaf as he made the declaration.

“Then do it.” N said with a smile. “I won’t stop you. If you’ll be happy here, then this is where you should be.”

“R-really? You’re not mad that I don’t want to come with you?”

“Cubone,” N knelt down so he could stroke the skull on its head, “I’m not a trainer. I’m just your friend. I’m okay with us separating, though I hope we can see each other again someday.”

“Of course!” Cubone said through the tears. “I’ll become a big, strong Marowak… you won’t even recognize me!”

“I’ll look forward to it then.” He said with a laugh. “See you later Cubone.”

The group gave their final goodbyes and made their way towards the mountain, thinking of the future and leaving new friends behind. The setting sun gave the illusion that the horizon was on fire as they walked away from it.

And with a single chill down his spine, he could have sworn those illusory flames flickered green for just a moment.