The feeling of you making a change and doing what's right can do many things to your body. You run quicker, think faster and you feel stronger than ever before. It never occurred to you that you actually can make that change unless you are part of it, the blood in your system starts to boil and your heartbeat is rapid. The adrenaline and the feeling of you making a difference and doing what's right caused you to have one thought in your head
You cannot fail.
That is what our young hero is doing right now, running as if his life depends on it, he stormed into the newly burnt Celadon city gym. Ignoring the beads of sweat and the cries of his tired and in pained legs. His arrival shocked many, one of them happens to be the person he was looking for.
"Ash? What's wrong? Are you-" Ash raised his hands up to stop Erika. He gathered much needed air before continuing, his pokemon primeape and pikachu stood next to him, bearing both serious and worried expression.
"Erika are you aware of the poster at the game corner?" Erika shook her head, it was weird why Ash would ask such question. However seeing his concerned look and the fact he ran through a marathon just to see her, she knew it was something serious and not to be taken lightly.
"The button unlocks a secret passage that leads to Team Rocket's hideout!" Erika and her assistants all gasped at Ash's exclamation. Surely he jest right? There is no way that the infamous Team Rocket hideout was just right beneath their noses right? Erika felt the temperature around her started to drop, the dreaded feeling of a criminal organization hiding right under her nose the entire time caused her to sweat.
"A-Ash are you sure?" Sure? He was as sure as ever! Ash and his pokemon nodded, his panting didn't subside along with his serious and stern look. Which Erika knows it unusual for the young trainer, despite knowing him in less than a day. That's when she felt her gloom hugged her leg, she gave a look that meant "trust Ash". Knowing her gloom's excellent ability at judging people (as well as her own), Erika nodded and stared at her assistants.
"Stacey go call the police and the pokemon league association, if possible get Lance himself to come and help. Mary, Elena go and inform the people of Celadon and ask them to stay in doors. Jessica, get every able trainer and group them up together and station yourselves around the city. Make sure none of the Rockets ever leave the city or get in!" Ash was in awe at Erika's swift orders, she turned to Ash and walked next to him with a determined and serious look. Her elite pokemon soon surrounded her and nodded at Ash's pokemon who nodded back.
"Ash you should leave, go to somewhere safe-" Ash fiercely shook his head, causing Erika to sigh. She knew that he was stubborn.
"Ash look I know you want to help but-"
"But nothing! Erika, I can't allow Team Rocket to escape. I fought one of the grunts guarding the hideout, they KNOW that their hideout is discovered. We have to go stop them from leaving! I'm coming with you no matter what." Erika was taken aback by Ash's loud and serious voice, was he really 10? Why did he sound like a soldier in the battlefield that was willing to die for his cause? She stared at his pokemon who equally shared his desire to help her. Did she doubt his ability as a trainer? Of course not, he beaten her in a battle so that already shows his ability as a trainer.
"Ash I... this is very dangerous, I can't allow -I mean what if you get hurt?" Ash shook his head and clasped onto Erika's shoulders.
"Erika we are wasting time here! Please we have to go now, I don't care what happens to me, I just want to stop pokemon from suffering at the hands of Team Rocket! Let me help you." The sincerity in Ash's voice was too much, she finally gave in and nodded.
"Alright Ash, let's do this together." Releasing his grip in Erika, Ash stared at pikachu and primeape who nodded at his trainer.
Arriving at the game corner, the people inside were all gone as a lone cashier stood all tied up. Erika instantly recognized her assistant who was standing next to the cashier.
"Erika this bastard here is part of Team Rocket too, I cleared the game corner but I didn't venture into their hideout, be careful okay?" Erika nodded and stared at Ash who already let out his other pokemon. Charmander, Kingler, bulbasaur and squirtle were at the ready.
"Erm Pikachu what's going on?" Kingler stared at pikachu, he was confused as he saw a beat-up man who tied up, a large staircase who leads to arceus knows where, an empty game corner and seeing Ash with Erika bearing a serious expression. Were they robbing the game corner?
"Long story short, we found Team Rocket's hideout and we are gonna kick their ass with Erika's help." A symphonies of "Ohhh" caused primeape to chuckle.
"Yeah so make sure you guys don't hold back, we need to protect Ash and Erika." Hearing primeape's words, everyone instantly nodded in a serious manner. The safety of their trainer would always come first.
"Erika you forgot this!" Erika's assistant caught up to her and gave her a bow and a quiver, causing Ash and his pokemon to looked at her in shock.
"Err is Erika..." Erika stopped Ash there and let out her pokemon hastily, it consist of her victreebel, tangela, gloom and cacturne. She stared at her assistant and gave her a small smile.
"Jessica whatever happens, don't come for us." Jessica widened her eyes but nodded with a sigh.
"Alright Eri... be careful okay?" Smiling at her nickname, she began walking down the stairs holding her bow tightly as she was ready to protect Ash. Jessica gave Ash a smile and wished him "good luck", the urge to give both of them a hug was there but she ignored it.
"Ash stay behind me okay?" Ash nodded at stared at Erika who draw her bow, her pokemon stood in front of her protectively.
"Alright Erika, erm is it okay if we form a lineup first?" Erika stared at Ash curiously, her pokemon stared at Ash's as they began talking about how cool and badass this will be for them.
"What I meant is, that each of our pokemon would focus on an aspect like attacking, defending. That way we won't tired out our pokemon." Erika was surprised at Ash's request but nonetheless she gave him a sweet smile and nodded in agreement.
"I think that's a great idea Ash, what's your plan?" Ash stared at Erika's pokemon and looked back at her, she gave him nod and allowed him to command her pokemon.
"Tangela could you be the healer of the team?" Tangela nodded with enthusiastically, it was like they were playing an RPG or something.
"Aright Cacturne, Kingler and Primeape you guys would focus on close counter attacks." The trio nodded at each other and shook their hands at each other.
"Charmander, pikachu, squirtle, you guys would launch long range attacks and keep them away from us." The trio nodded and began to hive five each other.
"Bulbsaur, victreebel and gloom you guys would focus on creating distractions and put the Team Rocket grunt's to sleep or paralyze them." The three grass types nodded and they stood in a formation.
"I'm impressed Ash, I think this is very efficient." Ash gave out a smile and nodded, the group soon move slowly towards the heart of the base. Each of their pokemon remained in a formation.
Soon they met a group of grunts that were waiting for them, in an instant a battle royale like battle started to take place.
Erika and Ash's pokemon automatically used their respective attacks on Team Rocket's pokemon. Showering them with elemental attacks, the physcial moves from primeape, Kingler and cacturne dealt the final blow to the group weaker pokemon, prompting them to faint instantly. Seeing their defeat, the three grass types use sleep powder on the grunts, causing them to dose off.
"Great job guys!" Preparing themselves from another wave of attack, the group rushed head on and saw more team rocket pokemon waiting for them. A total of 34 pokemon were ready to get rid of the intruders, most of them consist of raticate and golbats.
"Pikachu thunderbolt, charmander flamethrower, squirtle water gun on the lights! kingler get in close and use crabhammer, bulbasaur use stun spore. Primape low kick on everyone and throw them off." Ash commanded with his finger pointing at the grunt's pokemon.
"Tangela use leech seed on primeape! Victreebel use razor leaf, gloom use acid on the floor, cacturne faint attack!" The ceiling lights went out when squirtle used water gun , soon the colourful array of elemental attacks and blow trading for blow were the only things that could be seen in the darkness. Erika' cacturne easily took advantage of the darkness and eliminated the opposing pokemon without much trouble. Simply to put, the barrage of attacks ended the fight before it could even start.
Before the grunts could even realized their defeat, they were paralyzed and lie down on the floor with a shock expression on their face. They stared at their total of 34 pokemon fainted on the group, they never stood a chance.
"That was amazing Ash/Erika!" The two trainer shouted in glee as they hugged each other, they were surprised at how in sync their attacks were and how coordinated their pokemon are. The lights came back on and soon the two realized that they were holding each other, tightly. Blushing, the two trainers hastily released each other and continued to make their way to the heart of Team Rocket. Not noticing the smirks and grins on their pokemon faces.
'Ash is a very talented trainer, his bond and his pokemon is incredible and he even managed to command mine. He has so much potential yet somehow I feel his potential is being held back. Is it because of Brock and Misty?' As she was running, she thought of how great Ash was for a 10 year old. She never had to used her bow thanks to their pokemon who protected them well. She pondered about that as she stared Ash who was busy picking off the rest of Team Rocket's pokemon. She came to a conclusion that Misty and Brock was responsible for Ash's potential being held back, while she met them for only a little amount of time she knew that they provided distractions and disruption for his training.
Finishing the last Team Rocket pokemon, Ash stared at the group of pokemon who was suffering from fatigue. Searching his backpack for potions, he apply them on the grass type pokemon who was strong enough to transfer their life energy back to Ash's pokemon. It was a recycling method but it proved useful as everyone was up and going again.
"Great job guys, you all are amazing." Hugging their respective pokemon, Ash and Erika gave each other a reassuring smile, that they would get through this... together. Moving forward was a daunting task, the elite members of Team Rocket prove to be challenging, especially with their combined forces. However through team work, grit hard determination and charmander and squirtle evolving together. They managed to annihilate them without much trouble. They reached deeper and deeper until they finally reached a large expensive looking room with a big red R on the door. It dawned to them that they made it this far, and now they would need to face the boss of Team Rocket.
"Ash I don't think this is a good idea, we should wait for the police to arrive and help. Battling their grunts is one hting, but against the leader of Team Rocket..." Erika's voice were both soft and concerned, she stared at him with her emerald green eyes that showed equal amount of concern. Ash's gaze darted from Erika's eyes to the huge metallic door that stood right in front of him. His hand made it's way to the door, placing itself on top of it as it he felt the cold and smooth surface of the door. Should he really do this? I mean he made it this far, he should keep going right? Part of him wasn't so convinced he should continue, the thought of Erika being hurt because of his desire of becoming a hero frightened him. However the selfless part of him pulled him back, he stared at THEIR team of pokemon, each showed much eagerness and determination to bring the boss down. His eyes finally made their way back to Erika's and he stood firm to his cause.
"Erika, the police could never arrive in time. By the time they get here, Team Rocket's boss could had fled already. He is responsible for leading an evil organization that hurts and mistreats pokemon. This is our chance to end the pokemon's suffering... I need your help Erika." The determination and the conviction in Ash's voice were enough to win Erika over. She hesitantly nodded as her hands made their way to Ash's shoulder. As she close her eyes and opened them, they no longer show worried and concerned looks, instead they were off determination and conviction.
"Alright Ash, let's do this together and end the pokemon's suffering." Nodding at her words, Ash wore a serious expression and ordered primeape to break the door. Storming in the luxurious looking room, Ash and Erika found a man in his early 30's sitting on the couch with a nidoking and kangaskhan standing right next to him. The malicious looking grin on his face and the face that held no fear against the duo caused Ash and Erika to be ever so vigilant. Erika's finger reached to one of her arrows, her bow was slung across her shoulders as she is ready to draw her bow when the situation calls for it.
"Hello! A pleasure to meet you two, especially you Erika. You have grown rather beautifully from the last time I saw you." Scowling at his words, Erika shook her head and glared daggers at the grown man that sat comfortably on his couch.
"That's enough, this ends here err... what's your name?" Ash's question caused Giovanni to blink, right he forgot to introduce himself as the bad guy. Erika on the other hand, held back a chuckle as the normally cool and smooth Giovanni gave Ash a deadpanned look.
"Ehem My name is Giovanni, leader of Team Rocket! And who might you be boy? You are quite impressive seeing that you and Erika both cleared out my grunts with ease." Primeape and charmeleon stared at Ash, are the two really going to have a lengthy and bored conversation before engaging into an epic battle?
"My name is Ash Ketchum." Giovanni widened his eyes as he eyed Ash from head to toe, was he truly a Ketchum? Giovanni gave a cold and calculating look to Ash, he gritted his teeth as he slammed the table right in front of him, breaking it to mere pieces.
On instinct primeape rushed towards to Giovanni and delivered a mega punch at him, only to be blocked by Kangaskhan own mega punch. The momentum caused primeape to skid backwards with his hand on the floor, glaring at his opponent that he deemed worthy.
"Kangaskhan, Nidoking, rhyhorn, kill them all." Giovanni started to walk backwards as he entered a room, his cold and callous gaze never left Ash. Within a split second of Giovanni's command, his pokemon launch various of deadly and powerful attacks on Ash and Erika's pokemon.
"Urgh!" Bulbasaur and wartortle were flung back to the wall by Nidoking's megahorn, suffering massive injuries. Without wasting time, Ash countered back immediately.
"Primeape cross chop, charmeleon flamethrower, Kingler bubblebeam on rhyhorn!" Launching their attacks on Giovanni's elite team, Erika seized the chance and used her tangela and victreebel to heal up bulbsaur and wartortle, scanning around the battlefield, it was clear that the tight space of the room gave them the huge disadvantage, to top it off she knew that Giovanni's pokemon knew earthquake judging by their high level.
"Cacturn spikes, gloom stun spore." Laying down deadly spikes around them, Giovanni's rhyhorn who was using tackle, tackled into the spikes causing huge pain to the rock type pokemon. Primeape took advantage of the situation and use a powerful low kick on rhyhorn sending him flying to the wall, he was left opened as Kangaskhan knock him out with a skull bash.
"Wartortle water gun!" Gallons of water were shot out from wartortle, pushing Kangaskhan back. Realizing their defeat is near, nidoking pulled out a last resort. Shaking his hind legs, the whole facility started to shook causing everyone to lose their footing, soon rubble and fragments from the ceiling started to pelt them.
"Ash we have to leave!" Firing an arrow to Nidoking's hind legs, the nidoking gave out a howl as it stopped using earthquake. However the damage was already done as more pieces from the ceiling started to fall and Ash knew that they have to get out fast or else they would be buried alive.
"Charmeleon flamethrower on Nidoking!" Knocking it out with the intense streams of flames, Ash stared at the room that Giovanni entered and made a risky call.
"Erika in there!" Without having a chance to think, they recall back most of their pokemon and rushed into the room that revealed a large staircase and a elevator right next to it. Running up the stairs as fast as they can, the duo reached the surface ignoring the rocks and rubble that threaten to fall on top of them. Upon escaping the Rocket hideout, the two trainers held on to each other for much needed support, their legs wobbled as they fall flat onto the ground. Running up the stairs while dodging debris was no easy task.
"Ash!" Placing her hand on Ash's she stared at him who was regaining back his breath, he stared at her and gave her his signature warm smile as he slowly sat upright.
"I'm fine Erika, are you okay?" Nodding at him, she titled her head sideways as she used her sleeve to wipe the trickle of blood on Ash's cheek, causing Ash to flinch from pain.
"Ah!" Ash's hand made it's way to Erika's who was tending his wounds, ignoring the reddish hue on her cheeks, Erika didn't pull away and instead held Ash's hand softly.
"We did it Ash, we stopped Team Rocket." Whispering softly to him, Erika stared at Ash who looked around his surroundings with an unreadable look on his face. Did they really succeed? Giovanni got away and most of the Rocket members could be buried alive right now. His face turned pale at the thought of the Rocket members dyi-
'No Ash they're fine! I'm pretty sure they are fine!' Staring at the large clearing in front of him, this secluded part of Celadon turned out to be the pathway of escape for Team Rocket. Pikachu stared at Ash and then back to primeape who was cover in bruises more than ever, the silence of the grassy plains were so different that the sound of the crumbling building they were in just now.
"Ash? Are you okay?" Fearing that the young trainer is mentally scarred, she touched his shoulder comfortably and squeezed it slightly hoping to sooth his thoughts.
"Yeah I'm fine... it's just- he escaped." Slowly standing up, Erika called out her pokemon who stood tired and dazed. They found themselves smiling when they were greeted by the sight of grassy hills and the feeling of the warm sunlight shining at them.
"Erika do you want me to heal you guys up?" Tangela used his vines and made gestures as he kept staring at Ash who seemed injured in his eyes. Erika blinked at her tangela and smiled, she patted his head and shook her head as she stare back at Ash who was still silent and was in deep in thought.
"No it's fine, thank you for offering your assistance tangela." Nodding reluctantly, tangela stared at his teammates and saw Ash's pokemon coming out from their pokeballs. Instantly everyone huddled around and showered each other praises and compliments.
"Tangela you are the best healer a team could ever ask for!"
"How did you do that primeape!? You send that golbat flying!"
"Arceus damn charmeleon is scary!"
"Ash? Let's go back to the pokemon center alright? We should meet up with Misty and Brock as soon as possible." Nodding at the pretty gym leader's words, Ash stood back up and stared at his pokemon who stared him back with worry in their eyes, it was VERY unusual for their trainer to be this quiet, especially after defeating the leader of Team Rocket's elite team of pokemon.
"You all did amazing guys, I'm really thankful." Kneeling down to give them a hug which they fiercely reciprocated. Knowing that their trainer is facing against the various emotions that caused him to be so silent.
"Let's go Ash." Erika and her pokemon stood next to him, he raised his head and saw Erika smiling at him with that graceful smile of hers that he came to enjoy. You would think she looked like an angel with that smile of her's, smiling for the first time since escaping, Ash stood up and took off his cap and nodded with a smile that Erika came to adore.
The reunion with Brock and Misty was not exactly a happy one, apart from Misty's usual abuse towards him and some amounts of lecturing from Brock, the two were extremely glad that Ash came back safe and sound. It shocked the two that he and Erika managed to take on Team Rocket and even defeat the boss, though admittedly Giovanni wasn't there to give orders and Ash and Erika's pokemon vastly outnumbered Giovanni's. It didn't take long for the Kanto Police force to swept the entire hideout, Ash was glad to hear that no one suffered fatal wounds or injuries and their pokemon were alive and well.
"Eri oh my arceus you are okay!" Erika beamed a smile when her assistant Jessica came and embrace her along with her other assistance. They shifted their attention towards Ash as they finished giving Erika their respective hugs, Ash awkwardly stood there as he was surrounded by a bunch of pretty girls that were slowly advancing towards him.
"Thank you for taking care of Erika for us Ash, we saw some of the footage and you were really amazing at commanding at your pokemon and Erika's as well." Giving him a kiss on the cheek, Jessie gave a satisfied smile and a wink when Ash stood there dazed with a large red blush presence on his cheeks. He received hugs from each of the assistance and felt Brock's jealous glare and his aura of despair behind his back. Part of him started to realized that there is more to it than gym battles and pokemon.
"Alright girls stop teasing him." Erika swatted each of her assistance playfully as they give a playful grin to her.
"Why? Want him all for yourself Eri?" Blushing at her words, Erika protested in every way possible that doesn't hurt Ash. Which basically mean, Erika didn't say if she mind having Ash all to herself.
"Well good to see that Red's "unique" abilities runs in the family!" A familiar voice startled Ash, he widened his eyes as he instantly recognized it. Turning around, he gasped when he saw his role model appearing behind him with an amused smile on his face.
"Hello Ash!" The fanboy inside Ash started to scream and jump around in excitement, right before him... was the Kanto champion Lance.
Hello guys, yeah so first thing's first. I gave Erika a bow because in the manga she is a skilled with a bow and I wanted to give her more of a personality than your usual "flowery princess". Besides I personally think that she looks great with it and looks more of a badass. (Decidueye is gonna be her best friend)
Secondly, I have decided to use the Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen version of Erika instead of the anime version. Meaning she has black hair and dark vibrant green eyes, her clothing is going to be the kimono from the games as well. I have skip some parts of the story and altered this chapter because I realized my horrible writing skills (still have them) and my flawed logical thinking. (there is no room for flight UNDERGROUND)
Lastly I have made the chemistry between Ash and Erika more interesting, think of Erika as someone who will always support Ash and is a gentle yet firm woman who stands by his side. Being older than him also means she is generally more tolerant and of course mature. (physically as well... can't leave that part out right?)