Welcome everyone to the 2nd chapter of Katana. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and sent in OC's they are much appreciated and they will start showing up soon enough.

A side note I wanted to say though that I forgot to say last chapter, if you choose to be part of Team Rocket for your OC, you're much more likely to be chosen and to have featured much more than if you choose rebellion. Obviously rebellion OC's will get their fair share as well but not as much as Team Rocket so if you want you can tell me that you'd rather be part of Team Rocket instead or stay the same.

Oh and OC's are still being accepted, I'm looking for quality and the more unique and interesting it is the better chance.

Static was all that was left as the feed cut out, leaving the room silent. The haunting words spoken by Giovanni still echoed throughout the room as all eyes were on Ash, waiting for his response.

Shaking for a moment, he regained his composure as he loosened up his muscles and looked towards the group. Wearing his grin that so often occupied his face, Ash seemingly brushed it off, "I'm Giovanni's next target huh, well I'll do what I've done since I was ten years old. Beat him and his evil group."

Though the initial shock of what had happened still rang through their bodies, hearing the confidence in Ash's voice brought them back to earth and reassured them. With the air clear of uncertainty and a sense of optimism spreading through them all, the group began chiming in with support.

"Together we can beat them!"

"Team Rocket doesn't know what they're getting into!"

"They don't stand a chance against us!"

These good vibrations relaxed everyone as they knew it would be alright just like it had always been, at least that's what they thought. The positive feelings though didn't seem to reach Paul though as hearing the hopeless naivety in their voices sent him over the edge, shaking his head in disgust.

"You idiots are living in a fantasy land."

Dawn looked back at him, confused by the sudden harsh words, "What do you mean? Fighting Team Rocket isn't anything new for us, the only thing that's changed is that now Giovanni has some kind of god complex."

"This isn't just your silly little game anymore, there's no dumb tricks by Jesse, James and Meowth. Giovanni just murdered the President! And you're all just standing here thinking that friendship and believing in yourself can stop his terror," the way Paul explained his point, so calm yet powerful brought a dose of reality to them all.

May was frustrated with the situation, it was looking grim and it was a lot more real than they could have ever imagined, "Well we can't just stay here and do nothing, we're sitting ducks at this point."

Brock nodded his head as he instantly remembered something, "Hey Paul, isn't your brother visiting Noland? Seems like if we're gonna hide out someplace, why not with Reggie and a frontier brain with an Articuno at his disposal."

"It is not that far away," Paul added as he weighed his options, "for once, I agree with you Brock."

In any other situation Brock would have responded to that back handed compliment, but the severity of the situation took away any other emotion besides the urgent, serious one at hand.

Taking the leadership role Paul started barking orders at everyone, "Stock up on water and food, fill those backpacks to the brim. Make sure all your pokemon are put back into their pokeballs and aware that at any moment that their lives could be on the line."

Not needing to be told twice they did as they were told, marching around the house grabbing whatever they needed and whatever supplies that might help keep them alive. Having done whatever was needed of him so far, Ash walked up to Paul amongst the chaos and brought his voice down to a whisper.

"Paul, can we talk for a minute?"

"We haven't got many of those left," Paul said as he looked out the window for any danger, "but go ahead, shoot."

Letting out a sigh, Ash forced himself to say these words, "If something happens, and Giovanni gets his wish...I need you to be alive and to take care of the rest of them. Just from what I've seen right now, you keeping calm and ordering us around, you have leadership skills that I could only dream of having! But all I'm asking for you right now, is to keep them safe and alive if I'm not here."

Nodding his head he looked Ash dead in the eyes, "Nobody, including you, dies on my watch."

Hearing that made Ash feel one hundred times better as instantly pepped up and held out his hand, "Ready to kick some Team Rocket ass?"

Smirking at the comment Paul grabbed Ash's hand tightly, shaking it, "Does an Ursaring shit in the woods?"

Ash paused for a moment, scratching his head and pondering one of life's many mysteries. "Well I suppose theoretically..."

"You idiot it's just a saying!" Paul yelled as he bonked Ash on the head.

Ash yelped in pain as he rubbed the area where Paul's fist had made contact. He opened his mouth to speak in retaliation but went against it as he heard Serena's scream from in front of the T.V.

"They're headed for the Battle Frontier!" Serena yelled as she heard on the news from the news anchor.

Paul shoved Ash out of the way as he raced towards the T.V. fearing the worst as his eyes scanned the screen and his ears listened to the man behind the desk.

"Yes that's right folks," the news anchor said in a somber note, "Team Rocket forces have been seen near and around the Battle Frontier. We're getting reports that they might be capturing, or even killing the Frontier Brains."

Paul's eyes widened as his body began to shake from the anger, hatred, fear that enveloped him. Not wasting any time he rushed towards the door with one mission dead set in his mind and that was making sure his brother was okay.

Just as he went to turn the door knob and be off on his way. he felt a strong force take him off his feet and bring him onto the ground. Clenching his jaw he looked up and saw the only person who was crazy enough to stop him at that moment.

"Let. Me. Go. Ash." His voice was shaking with anger as he looked into the eyes of the man that was keeping him from his brother.

Ash just shook his head, "You said it yourself, this isn't a fantasy land. You go out there to try and save your brother and you'll meet a similar fate as the President. We need you here...I need you here, alive."

While on top of him holding him down, Ash could feel the quick, short breaths he was taking as he knew Paul was restraining himself, "So I'm supposed to stand here idly by while my brother gets captured, maybe even killed by Team Rocket!?"

Although it was tough for him to say it Ash nodded his head, "I wish there was a better option, but we have to act on logic, not emotions."

Hoping his words had gotten through to Paul, Ash looked at him, hoping for some sign of hope, but he was greeted with something else instead.

Collecting all the saliva he had, Paul spit right into Ash's face, the momentary shock Ash received from it was just enough for Paul to pull his hand from under Ash's grasps and hit him with a quick punch to the face, pushing Ash off of him.

Writhing in pain on the ground, Ash held his bruised eye as he used his only good eye to look up at Paul. He saw the determination in his eyes as he went towards the unknown and just as he was about to enter into a full sprint, he felt something or rather someone wrapped around his arm.

Paul instantly knew who it was as he could feel her holding onto his arm, digging her nails into the fabric of his clothing as she buried her face into it. He could hear the muffled cries coming from her as he looked at her with a faint smile.

"I have to go Dawn," Paul softly said as he looked at the blue haired coordinator that clung to him.

Looking up at him with tears in her eyes she was able to croak out, "I know I can't stop you from leaving, but just promise you'll be okay and alive, back here in no time."

Knowing full well he couldn't make that promise he brought Dawn into a hug, unsure if this would be the last time he would feel her touch, "I promise." Was he reassuring her or himself?

The two stayed in their embrace for a bit of time before Paul began to pull away, knowing he would need every second he had. "I'll be back, no need to worry," he said with a sly smirk.

Finally being able to leave he quickly turned the door knob and shot out of the house, calling out his Honchkrow and riding it out into the sky I'm the direction of where Reggie was, hoping he wasn't too late.

The rest of the group recollected themselves as Ash sported the shiner that Paul had given him, putting some ice on it to help keep the swelling down. Dawn looked out from the window and into the sky, even though she couldn't see Paul out there anymore, she still couldn't take her eyes away from it. Holding the promise he had given her near and dear to her heart.

"What should we do now?" Gary asked, lost.

No one spoke out, they didn't have the leadership qualities that Paul had, to step up to the plate and keep calm, except for Ash.

Still in a daze from the punch and Paul leaving, Ash dusted himself off as he tried to be as calm as Paul was in the role as leader, "I won't be able to sleep at night if I'm unsure of what happens to Paul. If anything happens where Reggie is the news will be sure to show it so lets stick around until we see what happens to him and then we'll hide out in the woods."

While the others weren't too sure about that save for Dawn, they stood by his decision as they were all huddled around the T.V., looking for any sign of Paul.

Feeling the touch of the earth on his feet again as he returned his pokemon, Paul was scared and nervous about what was ahead of him as he ran towards the Battle Factory. Every single possible scenario raced through his mind, as he was prepared for the worst, or so he told himself.

As he got closer and closer he saw the doors to the Battle Factory blown off its hinges, 'No...they're here already.' Paul thought to himself as his heart was racing faster than ever before.

Not wasting any more time Paul put away any doubts and fears he had and ran into the building, leading him to the giant battlefield, and his worst nightmare.

His heart skipped a beat. Colors faded away and time stopped as he looked at the sight in front of him. Four Team Rocket grunts stood their, their white clothes stained with blood, but not their own. Leaned up against the wall in front of them was Reggie, bloodied and bruised, Paul couldn't even tell if he was still alive.

Paul was frozen, he had prepared himself for the worst, but the sight in front of him was something that was just too much for him to handle. Shaking with anger and hatred he didn't see four Team Rocket grunts in front of him, no. What he saw were four parasites that he would rid the world of, make the world a better place, one Team Rocket grunt's death at a time.

Moving almost robotically he started walking towards the four of them, picking up a bloody blade along the way, likely the same one that had been used on Reggie. The sound of his footsteps finally got the attention of the four grunts as they turned around and saw the face of death looking straight into their eyes. A shiver ran down their spine as they readied themselves with their own blades, ready to retaliate against this purple haired stranger.

All four knew this wasn't a time to play around, except for one rather cocky Team Rocket member who stepped up and stood in front of the rest of them.

"I don't know who you are kid or what the hell you think you're doing with that blade, but stepping into this facility was the worst and last mistake of your life. Look at numbers kid and do the math," the man said chuckling as Paul kept walking towards him. "You're in a situation that I would like to call, totally fucked. Four against one, you've already lost."

Paul didn't say a word as he kept getting closer and closer, he just dragged the sword with him on the dirt field, leaving a line trailing behind him.

The grunt didn't take too kindly to being ignored as he raised his voice, "Don't you realize you signed your life away when you walked in here!? Tell you what kid, I'm so confident that you can't even beat me I'll fight you with one hand behind my back, what do you say?"

"I don't like the looks of him," another grunt called out as the other three were huddled together in fear.

Putting his right hand behind his back and having only his left hand out to hold his blade he turned his back for a moment to respond to his fellow Team Rocket member, "I've killed men twice his size and I have the scars to prove it! There's no way that th-"

The grunts jumped back in shock as they saw the blade go right through their loud mouthed member. Dripping with blood the blade stuck out from his back, piercing him directly in several vital organs, leaving him with no chance of survival whatsoever.

'What was that red flash...'

'This guy is not human.'

'We're so screwed.'

Those were the thoughts that went through the other three minds as the man's body collapsed to the ground as Paul pulled his blade out of him. With the blade still covered in blood Paul swung it at the three grunts but not with the intention of hitting them, not yet at least.

The blood of their comrade was all over them now, on their face and clothes, they were horrified by how calm and cold Paul was. The fact that he was so emotionless made it all even worse.

"I wanted you," Paul softly said, breaking his silence, "to get a feel for what's about to happen to each and every one of you."

Not wanting to just stand by and wait for death to come to them they decided to meet it head on. Running at Paul with everything they got with blades in the air they all let out a war cry, pumping themselves up in the process.

Leaning his head to side Paul looked at the incoming attack with dead eyes, no smiles, no frowns, just a straight face. The only thing that happened was that a red aura of sorts surrounded him. Enveloping the outline of his entire body as in this form, this all seemed like child's play to him.

Before the three of them could even get into striking distance the battle was already over. A red flash passed through them as blood spurted out from different places for each of them. One grunt clutched his neck as the feeling of warm blood streamed out from it and another held his abdomen as his lungs were punctured and started to fill with blood. He left one untouched though.

The grunt couldn't even process what happened it went by so quick, but as he looked around him and saw the collapsed bodies of his dying comrades, he knew he didn't stand a chance.

Dropping his blade he looked at Paul and slowly started to walk away, "I'm sorry man," the grunt with said with tears in his eyes as his body started to shake, "I'm sorry for everything I did. It was them! They were the ones that did it I tried to stop them but it was too late! I got a family waiting back home please!"

The man looked right at Paul as he just stood there while he slowly edged his way towards escaping, just when he felt he was far enough to escape, he turned his back to Paul and went to run away but he immediately regretted that decision.

The man's eyes widened as he clutched his abdomen, feeling the blood pour out he looked up at Paul and almost went into shock. One second he was running away from him and the next he's right in front of him, having ran into his blade without even knowing. Falling to the ground with death imminent Paul held his sword up as he was powered by this strange red aura and just as he was gonna finish the grunt off, he heard a voice.

"Paul..." The sound of it was weak and shaky but it was enough to get Paul out of this weird trance like state he was in.

The moment that voice went through his ears the red aura disappeared, the rush of emotions came back to him, it was as if he was a whole different person from that killing machine he was before. Paul wasted no time as his bottom lip started to quiver, hearing his brothers voice was a sign of hope, he just hoped that it wasn't short lived.

Running up to him and kneeling by his side he saw how grim he looked, his skin was pale, blood covered his clothes, a few wounds were still pouring out blood and as Paul went to try and cut off the bleeding Reggie swatted his hand away.

"It's too late for that, Paul."

Tears started to swell up in Paul's eyes as he looked around thinking of something anything he could do, "Come on Reggie don't talk like that, you're gonna pull through this, you have too!"

Reggie let out a tiny chuckle as he had accepted his fate already, "Now now, I only have a little time left, lets not waste it pretending that I'm gonna survive these wounds."

As much as Paul didn't want to admit it, he knew Reggie was right, So instead of worrying too much about it or trying to do anything, he just sat next him, leaning with him on the wall.

"You...did good out there Paul, I'm...proud of you," Reggie croaked out as he knew that his clock was running out.

Holding back his choked cries Paul shook as he just barely got out the word, "Yeah."

Reggie slowly turned his head to look at Paul, sitting there as tears were streaming down Paul's face. With a smile on his face Reggie spoke again, "I'm happy...you're here, because no matter what your...faults were, you are...still the best brother...I could have ever...had."

Paul looked right into Reggie's eyes as he uttered that final word. Just as he did Reggie's eyes seem to lose their luster as his head hung down and his chest went up for its last time.

Reggie, was no more.

Unable to contain his emotions now, Paul let out all the tears and cries he had kept inside of him. Wailing and cursing Team Rocket at the same time as the pain of losing his beloved brother was seemingly unbearable. This battle against Team Rocket had just started and he already lost his big brother, how much more blood would be shed?

Having sat in his own sorrow for long enough, Paul pushed himself up as he couldn't take just sitting there. Looking at Reggie's body, he debated whether he should just leave him there, he looked so peaceful. But it was still the product of Team Rocket that led Reggie to being in that position in the first place and he wasn't having any of it.

Picking up Reggie's body he decided he would decide where his final resting place would be and a peaceful place like Pallet Town seemed right. Turning around to head for the exit with Reggie in his arms his eyes widened as he saw one grunt still alive, standing there.

"You can live," Paul said as he started walking towards his direction, "I only have one goal in mind right now and killing you isn't it."

The grunt clutched his wound as blood was still seeping out, "You don't understand, just like that bag of bones you're carrying, I'm already dead!" The man seemed frantic and crazy as he said so, but what wasn't crazy were his claims.

Pulling out a pokeball from his pocket an Electrode appeared, but something seemed different. It seemed bigger, stronger than any other one that Paul had ever seen.

"What, you want a pokemon battle too?" Paul nonchalantly asked as he kept his distance from the pokemon.

The grunt laughed maniacally, "No, this electrode is the equivalent of a cyanide pill, so you know what that means, don't you?"

Paul stood their, confused but once he understood what the grunt meant his eyes widened as he started sprinting to the door but being slowed down by carrying Reggie.

"Too late!" A sick demented smile appeared across the grunt's fate as he had decided he was going out with a bang, "Electrode use self destruct and rid the world of all of us!" Turning into a white ball of light, Electrode readied himself as it did what it was told.

Paul was too close to the blast, he wouldn't be able to make it out in time, the last thought that went through Paul's mind as he desperately and futilely tried to run away was simple, but full of regret.

'I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise, Dawn.'

Boom

Huddled around the T.V. Dawn's heart dropped as a news helicopter had seen the entire explosion and had the tape to prove it. Nothing was left, just the ruins of something that once was.

And that was chapter two of Katana. I hope you enjoyed it this i believe is probably the best chapter I've ever written in my opinion.

Don't forget what I said about the OC's, still accepting them!

Also don't forget to review and tell me what you thought.