#i'll be uploading chapters to tumblr as well as dA and ao3!

[photochoco]

Two Sides of the Same Coin

After Nimbasa City, Touko now knew the threat Team Plasma posed was serious, and as much as she didn’t want it to be the case, she may very well be the only one who can stop them and their King’s plans. But what is someone supposed to do when they know nothing about the enemy? Go undercover, of course.

--- --- Chapter 1 Registration

Touko makes a decision and gets a makeover. Hopefully it’ll do the trick. --- Oh god, this really was a stupid idea. Touko tapped her pencil against the table in a quick anxious rhythm. 2-4 months in enemy territory, and she had already made quite a name for herself among Team Plasma. Members she had definitely never met before recognized her now. If she was recognized while surrounded by Plasma goons, without her Pokemon, she’d be- “-Fucked,” Touko muttered aloud, resting her head on the table with a loud clunk. “Ow.” It wasn’t like there were many other options. Going forward blind put her at a distinct disadvantage, and she still had no real idea what N was planning. The so-called “King” had been as furtive as ever, speaking only in vague sentences, leaving out information like he wanted Touko to find the missing pieces to fill in. Damn him.

The legendary Pokemon...defeating the Champion...gathering all the Badges... She wasn’t a whole lot she could do like this, besides warn Alder and the League and research the Unovan Legend, while collecting her Badges and going to take on the League, as she had originally planned. Anger boiled in Touko’s gut. Having to do it out of necessity to save the region sapped all the fun out of it. She felt like she was racing against a clock that was timing her without her permission. Fuck that clock. Fuck that stupid bush-haired bastard. Fuck thiiiiiiiis.

Surprisingly, it had been Bianca who suggested Touko go undercover. Even more surprisingly, Cheren, usually ever the cautious one, had voiced his support of the idea. The idea was straight out of a movie, and while it sounded awesome, it carried more risks than the three of them liked. They had spent weeks planning around each one. Her team was sure to be recognized, so she had to leave them with her friends. She wasn’t worried about their wellbeing at all in that department, and evidently new Plasma members were expected to release their Pokemon prior to joining the organization anyway. But losing them meant losing her one safety net if she got found out. There was also the issue of her appearance... “Well that’s an easy fix!” Bianca had said, clapping her hands together once. “You go in disguise!” Cheren nodded slowly in approval. “That fixes the issue of how she looks, but there’s still her personality we have to worry about…” Touko swung her head around to give her friend an insulted look. “What’s wrong with my personality?!” “Nothing, of course.” Cheren pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “But let’s be honest Touko, you can have the temper of a Primeape.” “I think what Cheren means to say is,” Bianca cut in, giving Cheren a pointed look. “you’re very, ah, passionate, Touko. You’re instantly recognizable from that fire in you, but in this case, you don’t want to attract any attention to yourself.” “Exactly. Even though you’ve only met N a handful of times, I feel someone like him would be able to recognize you in an instant. And if not him, then without a doubt that man, Ghetsis. He definitely seems the observant type. So, along with a physical makeover, you need a personality change too.” Touko squirmed. If she looked deep, deep inside herself, she knew they were right. She had to change from Touko into someone else completely. The more she thought about it, the more impossible it seemed. Her inner turmoil must’ve shown on her face, because both her friends reached out a comforting hand at the same time. “Think of it like acting, Touki! Slide out of yourself, and into someone else entirely,” Bianca said. “You’re definitely more than capable. We can help you prepare,” Cheren added. Touko smiled gratefully at them, feeling her nerves absolve somewhat. And that left her where she was now, weeks after that conversation, staring over a list of what she needed to do before she even approached the registration table. She’d spent every day- Every. Day.- rehearsing and practicing with Bianca and Cheren until her new, softer and quieter personality was down pat. It was the first time Touko had ever been relieved Cheren knew exactly what to say and do to set her off. She hadn’t lifted her head from the table yet. She was tired. The Pokemon Center was quiet, with only the occasional sound of the automatic doors sliding open and closed. The ambience was soothing, something that, now that Touko had the chance to think about it, was a part of her life she would miss if it were gone. These late nights were one of the things she liked the most about being on a journey. No matter the town, no matter the Center, there were always Trainers taking a load off their aching feet, resting with their dear Pokemon. It was what Touko had always dreamed of doing herself since she was little. It was that countless people of all ages told her they hoped to do soon when she talked to them. Did Team Plasma really want to take that joy away? Forever? All those people and Pokemon that were happy together, for their sake, Touko had to do this. If N wanted a fight, he was going to get one.A pat on her shoulder thankfully interrupted the anxious swirl of thoughts in her head. Touko craned her neck back to see Bianca looked down at her, her emerald eyes round and sweet. “You’re up late!” she chirped. “You are, too.” “Hee hee weelllllllll! I was getting some hair stuff for tomorrow! But how about we get some sleep now? After breakfast tomorrow, we can begin your transformation!” The last word was accompanied by a dramatic hand gesture. The two girls headed to their room in the Pokemon Center. While Bianca seemed to fall asleep rather quickly, Touko lay awake for a good while, her stomach too twisted from nerves. Countless what-if’s rolled over in her head. She normally wasn’t a worrywart at all; this felt very uncomfortable. The teen let out a sigh and rolled over. There was no more time to think about it. She would just do it, like she did everything.---Touko stared at herself in the full-length mirror. Wow, was that really her? Bianca had done some sort of witchcraft with her hair, it was shorter, completely straight, and black as night. Touko sighed inwardly, it would take effort to upkeep this hairstyle, making sure it stayed straightened and dark. She was far more used to just running a comb through her wavy brown locks before bunching it up in a high ponytail, out of the way. While her eyes were the same, her new hair and clothes made her look like a different person entirely. Maybe she could pull this off. No. She would. She had to. This had to work. And it would. Touko would be damned if it didn’t. After pressing her precious Pokemon, safe in their balls, into the hands of her friends, she set off to the Plasma registry with a good luck and thumbs up. The queue wasn’t long (‘Thank God most people have some common sense,’ Touko thought to herself) and in no time at all it was Touko's turn, standing in front of the table. The lady sitting behind it smiled warmly at her, a stark contrast to all of Touko’s previous encounters with anyone who wore that stupid uniform. Seriously, who designed them? “Hello!” The Grunt said brightly. “Are you here to join our noble cause?” Touko took a breath, steeling herself. “Yes, I am!” She replied. “I do hope you will accept me. I was feeling quite nervous, you see.” The woman waved her hand dismissively. “Oh don’t worry, don’t worry! The only requirements are a passion for Pokemon welfare and wellbeing! Now, we do have an application form we need you to fill out so we can add you to our registry.” It was an application similar to the one Touko filled out for her Trainer’s card. She felt a twinge of discomfort as she filled it out, lying on everything. A fake name, wrong hair color, fake age, she even put down a different birthday, just to be safe. The teen finished the application by signing the bottom with a flare and slid it back to the Grunt. The woman looked it over, giving a nod and a smile. “Okay! You put down that you would prefer to stay in our provided barracks with other members?” “Yes.” “Excellent! I’ve personally found that’s the best way to become acquainted with new and already existing members! Room and board, as well as meals, should you need them, are covered by our generous King and the Seven Sages.” Wow, they sure are putting a lot of effort into making it seem like they aren’t complete whackjob assholes, Touko thought venomously. “Now, if you are ready, we can take you to our base right away.” This snapped Touko out of her thoughts. “Wha--right now?!” “Of course!” The female Grunt said, beckoning to another Grunt, who stood up and walked over. If you’re going to be staying in the barracks, it’s best we get you properly registered and settled right away. Brandon here will be able to take you there.”Brandon waved in greeting before wordlessly turning to walk towards the train station, motioning for Touko to follow him. The teen walked after him, her fists clenched and her stomach fluttering with nerves.

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