Chapter 2: Old Faces, New Tactics!
Tommy was half way through route 1, he had taken on a few battles and aced them all with his experienced Aron. But, he was quick to point out to trainers their strengths and weaknesses and how they would improve. And it wasn't all in vain; one of the trainers recognised him and even asked for his autograph on a notepad he kept filled with famous autographs so Tommy was honoured to be held so highly in someone's eyes. Torchic was faring well in battle, it seemed to have a little more experience than the normal starting Pokémon. But as of right now he was enjoying his walk more than anything. When he started all those years ago in Johto he wasn't long in finding someone to travel with. In Kanto, his cousin Tyler accompied him and kept a friendly rivalry in the group. When they travelled to Hoenn, Cathy and Jordie where only a year apart from birth so the four of them travelled together. Then various other regions where visited and someone tagged along in some shape or form but right now, Tommy enjoyed the peace and quiet.
It was the middle of the day and Tommy was looking for a rest, he had spotted a lake from a few miles back on top a crest of the scenery and slightly went off course to go towards it. He finally arrived at it and set up base at a large tree with a massive amount of shade created from its huge branches protecting everything below it from the strong sun light. He took the green rucksack from his back and set it down next to the tree before putting himself down with his back resting up against the solid bark. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. How on earth did he do this effortlessly ten years ago? He sat and thought about the collective adventures… Almost losing his life at the Lake of Rage and where he gained the gnarly scars on his left forearm. Two plates and thirteen screws after he turned up to see the Gyarados going berserk. The time he swept Celadon Gym with his Typhlosion and was almost banned for accidently starting a fire afterwards.
"Excuse me, 'scuse me mister?"
Tommy opened his eyes and looked up to a beautiful teenage girl. She had long flowing black hair and piercing green eyes. She wore a short white sleeved jacket and wore blue three quarter length trousers that showed off her figure well.
"Ye.. yes?" Stuttered Tommy, stunned somewhat.
"Oh my word! That voice it is you!" Said the girl with amazement on her face. Yet another fan?
"I'm sorry ma'am… I don't follow…"
"Sinnoh, Canalave Gym… you walked out of the gym after beating it and you bumped into someone who asked for your help as they weren't ready for it… Ring any bells." Tommy took another look at her, then it clicked.
"I taught your Torkoal Heat Wave didn't I!?"
"Haha! Yes it is you I knew it was! You left before I could say thank you after I beat it as well." Tommy thought quickly…
*.*.*
"Alright it's easy, watch Typhlosion do it first! Typhlosion stood in front of Tommy and the black haired girl with her Torkoal. Typhlosion readied the flame on its back before pulling its head back and created a red fireball within its mouth. He snapped it's head forward again and let rip a massive sea of fire which slightly charred some of the grass outside of Canalave City. Typhlosion stopped and turned to face Tommy who was holding him a thumbs up to which the Pokémon gestured back.
"And that's how he does a Heat Wave attack! It's just like Flamethrower, except you sacrifice some accuracy for power but it covers more of the battle field. If we get this right, Torkoal should have no problem against Bryon and his Steelix. Why don't you try?"
"OK, Torkoal you seen how Typhlosion did it right? Wanna try it?"
"Tooooorkoal!"
"Alright, let's make it easier, get him warmed up with a Flamethrower."
"Alright, you heard Tommy, show us your Flamethrower!" Torkoal simply opened its jaw and let loose an impressive stream of super-heated fire.
"Alright Torkoal, put everything into now! Don't aim, just fire!"
"Toooooor!" The fire turtle stepped the power and intensity level up another notch, the Flamethrower lost its tight structure and began to go in all sorts of directions uncontrollably.
"He needs more power behind it…"
"Torkoal, give it everything you've got now!" Torkoal dug deep and increased the attack again the stream dissipated and it quickly looked like it had learnt the move successfully from Typhlosion!
"Perfect that's it!"
"Really!? Brilliant! Torkoal that's enough back it off!" Torkoal ceased fire. It turned to its happy trainer rather proud of itself.
*.*.*
"That's right. My cousin showed up and we had to go take care of something. I was waiting outside the gym on you."
"It's cool don't worry. I'm just stunned I've ran back into you and this time I'm not making the same mistake. My name is Melissa, Tommy." A little surprised, Tommy couldn't believe after all of what he had done he didn't learn her name…
"Melissa… wow. You didn't tell me that in Sinnoh?"
"Nope, I thought you wouldn't have cared given your status in this world." She trailed off as she ended the sentence.
"What? I'm not some hot shot trainer, I just do what I do because I love it. I don't take it seriously. If I'm good then that's great and awesome but… c'mon, I sold my own house in New Bark to come here! All my stuff is in storage now!"
"Really…? I just thought with all the media in your face and people knowing your name and style of battling you'd love the attention?" Melissa looked a little puzzled. For years now since had believed what she had thought.
"Nope! I live to better myself and the world we live in, like you. I taught your Torkoal Heat Wave for nothing, I also taught my cousin's Charizard Blast Burn and was able to teach my sisters Swampert Hydro Cannon. I love helping people it's just… may payment for life. Some people need money, I like seeing people smile and I like to know I've done a good turn."
"Wow, you're like a Move Tutor then that's so cool!" Melissa was wearing a smile now, she was easy and enjoyable to talk to.
"Between you and me, when I hang up the travelling boots that's what I'm going to settle down and do. I'll train others to do it as well and I'll have a shop in every region."
…
The Trainers kept talking for some time, they had now moved on from where they were and had completed Route 1 and where now standing on the outskirts of Thunder Bay City. The word overkill sprung to mind. EVERYTHING you could see in the distance of the city had a neon light of some sort on it. It gave an ominous glow in the approaching night but at the same time it was a beautiful city to behold. They walked through the massive entrance gate. Melissa and Tommy both walked a little slower as they walked through the city and looked all around them taking in the views. Melissa was on Tommy's left, she looked over to the right to see the Pokémon Center with a massive neon light saying "Pokémon Center." This place was funny. She looked away, and then did a quick double take before bracing.
"TOMMY LOOK OUT!"
Tommy had no time to react at all when a man ran into him at full speed. The man who wore a dark attire had a black t shirt with a large blue letter 'L' in the middle. He wore a jacket like item, it had no sleeves and no way to fasten it but was held together with the hood over the man's face.
"Excuse me sir, I'm in a hurry." Said the man with little remorse, not even offering to aid Tommy to his feet.
"Hey! Stop that dude! He stole my Pokémon!" A trainer with short and spikey black hair was running towards them from the distance. He wore a red tracksuit top and jeans. The strange man turned and tried to make a getaway, but Tommy grabbed one of his legs and caused him to fall to ground along with Tommy. They both hurried to their feet, Melissa stood behind the hooded man and Tommy stood face to face… well half face.
"Whatcha doing stealing peoples Pokémon? I don't like that sort of trait in anyone." Asked Tommy in a dark and serious tone.
"What's it to you small time?" Replied the man quickly.
"I'll tell you what it is, it's cowardly and rather unappealing. That's what it means to me..."
"I'd watch your mouth before someone rips it off."
"Yeah, you and what army is going to try that then?" Said Tommy with both arms extended either side. He didn't see no backup.
"Well, since you asked…" The man reached up and dropped his hood onto the back of the jacket revealing a short dirty blonde haired man. He had the letter 'L' tattooed onto the left side of his neck.
"My name is Rio, and I… my dear boy, am part of the illustrious Team Luna."
"Never heard of them. Melissa have you?" Melissa had a look like 'What the hell are you talking to me for?' "What about the guy running towards us, he heard of you?"
"You're quite the funny man when you're out numbering a highly ranked member of the new Evil."
"Ha… gotta love role reversal right. Say, you any good at taking messages Rio?"
"Yes but I…"
Tommy had heard enough, he lurched forward and took a quick grapple of the man's shirt with the grip of his left hand. Then he let his Ice Hockey days take over to the horror of Melissa, he fired a right hand to side of the man's head, he pulled back and fired again. Rio stumbled allowing Tommy to pull his fist back as far as he could before launching it one more time and dropping Rio to the dirt. As he lay there Torchic and Aron burst free from their Pokeballs and flanked Tommy either side. They wore angry expressions ready to lay into the grunt if they got the command.
"You take a message to whoever will listen. You just made a new enemy. You watch your fucking back like a Mawile from here on out. Hand the Pokeballs over."
Rio pushed himself up a little and reached into his pocket and threw both the minimized Pokeballs onto the ground before flicking his hood over his head again and taking off towards the entrance gate. The man who had his Pokeballs stolen came to a stop next to Tommy and watched the Luna grunt run off into the distance.
"Son of a bitch blind side me and lifted my Pokémon on me." The trainer knelt down and lifted them both off the ground before standing up again and faced Tommy and Melissa.
"The names Darryl, thanks for what you did back there! If you can fight like that you'd have no need for Pokémon like these two here!"
"Sports come in handy! My names Tommy, this is Torchic and Aron and this lady here is Melissa."
"Nice to meet you all! Are you guys… like ya know… dating?" Aron and Torchic sniggered to a disapproving look from Tommy. Although Tommy didn't look back to Melissa she was blushing wildly.
"No, we bumped into each other earlier. We've met before and we were headed here so travelled together."
"Ah right I see… I recognise your face Tommy, that fighting, you've played Ice Hockey right?"
"Yes sir, Tommy Brown, number 23 of the Red Wing Pidgeots."
Darryl clicked his fingers and pointed at Tommy. He extended his hand this time towards Tommy.
"We've done this before, Darryl Christiansen, number 74 of the Blue Shelled Wartortles!" Tommy stood with his mouth agape for a second before slapping his hand into Darryl's and shaking it well. They had actually played against each other a few times in a life before Pokémon Journeys.
"I can't believe you didn't battle him with Pokémon Tommy." Melissa spoke up between the Bro-mance.
"I did what I thought was best, besides. Now they know I'm not a push over."
"Maybe so, but you're a target now."
"I don't give a toss frankly. When I started on a journey I had Pokémon to look after me and I always had my own skills. I'll take on whatever they can throw at me."
"Awesome, you both challenging the gym then?"
"Yup." "At some stage yes" replied Tommy and Melissa.
"Alrighty, I just got my badge today. No harm Tommy, but you'll need a little more fire power than what you have. Don't take it the wrong way. I went in under expecting and almost got run out of the building."
"Oh really? He's strong then?"
"Afraid so man, but I'm sure an illustrious trainer like you can manage." Smirked Darryl.
"Hopefully. Melissa I haven't met any of your Pokémon yet actually." Remembered Tommy.
"Secret Weapons Tommy. Torkoal is the only one you know about!"
The three trainers continued talking into the night at the Pokémon centre. They sat around a table with some food, Tommy and Melissa trying to fill their faces having pretty much starved for the day.
"Right, Tommy, Melissa. Pleasure meeting you two. But I gotta move on sadly."
"Really, at this time of night Darryl?"
"Yes, no trainers about. Best time to get about!"
"That's a fair point right there, well Darryl, best of luck mate. Keep in touch and hopefully the next time we meet we'll battle."
"Look forward to it Tommy I do." The three all stood up, Darryl and Tommy shook hands and then Darryl gave Melissa a hug goodbye. He picked up his bag next to his chair and with a simple wave walked out the door and onto his next venue.
"Hey Tommy, now we are alone can I ask you something?"
"Sure fire away Melissa!" Melissa pulled her chair closer into the table and put both her hands and arms on the table.
"Do you think it is a good idea if we travel together?" She asked.
"Oh… Yes and No. I'd say No because of what happened earlier. They are gunning for me, I love getting under the skin of criminal empires like that. Done it for years now and it never gets old. But then I would because it does get lonely and I'm sure we've a lot of cool stories hidden away that would be awesome to hear." Melissa nodded her head.
"I'll be honest, I would really like you to travel with me. I know after what you did earlier it's a risk but I'm a grown girl, I can look after myself too. It can never hurt to have someone in your corner right?" Tommy looked into her eyes, she really looked like she was pleading with him to do this.
"I don't know… I mean, what if these guys vaporise me tomorrow? I'd have got you neck deep in my own problem."
"Tommy, that was the most alive I've felt in a long time. And I did nothing. I know you're hiding something… but I want to figure you out. And learn from you. And be there for you…"
"Wow, that's… that's really nice of you to say that Melissa…" Tommy stroked his goatee. A sign he was thinking about something. "Tell you what, let me sleep on it tonight alright? You could get up early and take on the Gym Leader and let me go train for a bit so I'm ready. When we're done I'll let you know. Deal?"
"Deal." Melissa smiled.
…
…
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WHERE ATTACKED!" Screamed a voice from a chair inside a dark room.
"Sir… ahem… It was that kid that went RYNO on Team Aqua in Hoenn." Said a shaky Rio.
"I swear to whatever you believe in…" The chair spun around and revealed a well-built man sitting in an executive grey suit. He was bald but fierce looking. "If you don't talk a language I understand, I will bring him in here and give him a reason to rip you limb from limb. What happened Rio?"
"Master Grievance Sir. With all due respect. I obtained the Pokémon from Christiansen as requested. As I made my exit, I ran into a trainer who I recognised from Hoenn when the demise of Team Aqua and Magma happened. I believe it to be the trainer by the name of Tommy. Tommy Brown. He caught me off guard and was traveling with a woman. But not his sister. He asked who I was and what I did before he hit me several times over. I wanted to stay and fight but… I would have been no match for a trainer of his calibre sir." Rio calmed down and stood with pride once again. He knew he failed but he was doing his best to save his ass.
"Rio, I understand. This puts an undesirable spin on the current situation in Belsota. Rio, we'll keep an eye on him for now. I can't risk giving him a reason to come here. He knows people in powerful places and I can't afford the losses right now. I will alert the Boss to the situation. Get back to the cages and make sure the new recruits are coping."
"With haste sir, I won't fail you again."
"I hope so Rio, you're one of the best under my wing. I need you at your best for what we have planned." With that the bulky figure waved Rio out of the room before turning back in his chair to the screen immediately behind him. Rio stepped outside and sighed before hurrying off. Grievance ran his right hand down his forehead and face and sighed heavily too. He tapped a few buttons on the console on his chair, and within a few seconds, his Bosses face appeared on the screen. The Boss had a huge scar going through part of his right eye and over the bridge of his nose. He two was bald but sat in his amazing and beautifully decorated room and chair with a dark hood pulled over the majority of his head.
"Grievance, what brings your call unannounced?" It was a deep and evil voice. Very slow talking.
"Sir. We had a small situation in Thunder Bay I thought you would like to know about."
"Go on."
"Sir. It appears that the failed trainer Tommy… or Thomas Brown, is travelling within this region."
"… really… interesting. And his family?"
"He was seen with a woman of some description, we can pull up the CCTV if you wish but from my eyes on the job it wasn't his sister for sure. No sign of the other two. I will monitor the situation and alert you to developments."
"Yes. We must tread a little more carefully. Mmm. Team Luna cannot fear anyone, but he is one who should be noted on the radar. Good work Grievance. Keep me posted."
"Sir!" Grievance lightning quickly brought his right hand to the side of his head to a salute as the video feed turned to black.
Grievance turned around to his desk and inter locked his hands together.
"Thomas, Thomas, Thomas. How can I manipulate you to make me a partner in Luna…"
A/N: Alrighty, two chapters in and this is the first out of Character post of mine for this story. So yeah, this isn't my first rodeo doing a fan fiction, but I hope it will be the first that I can come to a satisfying conclusion.
So a few things you may be wondering, Tommy has travelled region to region and entered the tournaments at the end of the year and never fared well. He has seen a lot in the past with regards to criminal empire events and even legendary encounters. The friends in high places remark from the Head of Team Luna, was a remark to his close family. Jordie in particular who although is his cousin became more like his brother on their travels but hopefully all the little loose ends and niggly bits will get tied up along the way. At the minute… I don't really wish to ask for any original characters to be added because I have in my head what I need but check the author's notes in case I decide I need someone. I'd rather go original as it means they can pretty much have any team (within reason) rather than me inadvertently altering a story line of an existing character.
But yeah, Rate and Review for me. Be honest, you don't get better writing the same crap. Let me know where and how I fall short and I'll do my best to make sure it don't happen again!
Violence and Swearing will be oh so ripe throughout, there may be romance… I don't know but nothing that I'd blush about while typing. This ain't no 50 shades of grey cause being colour blind I only see 3.