A.N. The following is a nonprofit fan fiction. Pokémon is owned by The Pokémon Company and Satoshi Tajiri. Please support the official release.
AU: Lara has reached Pewter City and will soon have her first gym battle. However, unknown to her, the two deadliest members of Team Rocket is high on her tail.
Chapter 4: Pewter City
Unknown location, one week earlier
A middle aged man with red hair and in a business suit was in his office with a number of his employees. These were Team Magma and this was their leader, Maxie. At the center of the room was a large wooden box.
"What is that?" Maxie asked.
"It was sent by Team Rocket." A grunt replied. "It came with this note." He said handing a piece of paper over to his leader.
Maxie unfolded the paper and read, "Kanto is my turf. Stay out of it. Love, Drake." At the mentioned of Team Rocket's most feared member, most of the Team Magma members quivered. Maxie puts away the note and looked at the box. "Open it," He ordered and the largest man in the room went over to it and grabbed hold of the top and started tearing it off. After much creaking and cracking, he managed to yank it off and was shocked at the sight inside the box. Several grunts looked horrified and one of them vomited. Maxie walked over to the box and paled at the sight. Sitting there was the girl Drake had spared, only she was crying in fetal position and had the Team Rocket logo carved in on her forehead. But the most horrifying part was the heads of all the Team Magma members in the crate with her. Maxie sneered and barked, "Get her out of there, get this crate out of my office and call in Muramasa!"
Everyone did as they were told. Once the room had been cleared, a man entered. He was tall, standing over six feet tall, had silver eyes and green hair in a brush cut. And he had a rather grim look in his eyes.
"What can I do for you, sir?" Muramasa asked.
"I am finally going to give you the one thing you desire the most," Maxie replied with a wicked smirk.
Muramasa grinned back and said, "Drake."
"Yes," Maxie said. "He killed one hundred of our own people. I want you to go to Kanto. Kill 99 Team Rocket members. And save Drake for your 100th kill."
"I've waited eight years for you to grant me this opportunity. I will not fail." Muramasa replied with a bow.
"That's what I like to hear. Now go." Maxie ordered and Muramasa left. The Team Magma leader sat down on his office chair and said to himself. "Giovanni, you will regret having made an enemy out of me."
Pewter City, present time
Lara was standing at the front desk of the Pokémon Center, handing her Pokeballs over to the receptionist. "Can you please take care of my Pokémons, nurse?"
"Why, yes of course."
"What the…?" Lara said when she saw to her surprise that Nurse Joy was the one behind the desk. "Nurse Joy?"
"That's me. Don't wear it out." Nurse Joy joked.
"But aren't you the nurse of the Pokémon Center in Viridian City?" Lara asked in confusion.
"Nope. The Nurse Joy back there is my sister. Everyone in our family all look alike, see." Nurse Joy said, showing Lara a photograph with several nurse Joy's on it.
"What the shit?" Lara said in surprise.
"Now don't you worry. I'll take good care of all you Pokémons. In the meantime, we have a cafeteria down the hall to the left for traveling trainers if you would like something to eat." Nurse Joy said in a sweet tone.
"Uh … okay. I do feel hungry. Thanks." Lara said as she started making her way in the direction Nurse Joy pointed.
Elsewhere, Flint had returned home and was greeted by his family of 10 children and his wife. "Hey everyone. Did you all miss me?" He asked as he happily embraced each of them.
"Hey dad. Welcome home. Glad you managed to return in time before your wedding anniversary." Flint's oldest child said. This was Brock, whom Flint had shown Lara in a picture.
"So am I," Flint replied with heartfelt smile. "Speaking of which, where is your mother?"
"In the kitchen, preparing dinner. You're just in time. She's almost done." Brock replied.
"Good. I'm starving." Flint said as he walked into the house.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Brock asked, knowing that Flint was out looking for a leaf stone.
"I sure did. But I won't give it to her until tomorrow." Flint replied to his son. "By the way, Brock, on my way out of the forest I had a run in with a girl, a trainer around your age who was on her way to Pewter City to challenge you in a gym battle."
"Really? Around my age?" Brock asked with a curious look on his face. "What did she look like?"
Flint made sure none of the other kids were listening or watching. He turned back to his first born and said. "Like this," He held his hands to his chest area and moved them in a rounded motion, saying that Lara had large boobs. He then moved his hands in an hourglass motion, suggesting Lara had wide hips with a round butt.
Brock had a goofy grin on his face at the description of his upcoming challenger. But then it turned into fear and he said, "Um … dad."
"What is it?" Flint asked but before he could receive a response, someone was pulling his ear, causing him to cry out in pain.
"What are you teaching our boy, honey?" Flint's wife asked, having heard their conversation and had walked up to her husband to scold him. "You are being a bad influence. No wonder our son ogles every girl he comes across."
"I'm sorry, Lola dear. I was just – just – just…" Flint stammered, as he could not come up with a good answer.
"Well, in any case." Lola said, letting her husband go. "I'm glad you came home before our anniversary." She said sincerely.
"As am I," Flint said, rubbing his sore ear. "Now, how about a kiss for your beloved husband?" He asked, moving in to smooch his wife but she just raise up the ladle, resulting in Flint kissing that instead.
"I'm still mad that you encourage Brock's lecherous ways." Lolo said.
"I'm sorry," Flint said, hanging his head in embarrassment.
"Well, since you say you're sorry I suppose I could let this slide." Lola said and gave Flint a kiss. "But you won't get any dessert tonight."
"What?" Flint said in disappointment.
"Now come along everyone. Dinner's ready. And afterwards, you are getting a bath. You smell of forest." Lola told Flint.
Unknown to any of them, two familiar faces were outside the house, waiting by the gym. Drake and Dominic were both on the roof top of the gym.
"Shouldn't we be out, looking for that kid?" Dominic asked.
"That will not be necessary," Drake said with a cold demeanor. "We know she's here for a gym battle. All we've got to do is wait here and she will come to us."
"Brilliant, as always, my love. You are so smart and clever, Drake. As expected of the man who stole my heart." Dominic said with her hands to her red cheeks and swinging her hips back and forth in a girly manner.
"Stop doing that. It annoys me." Drake growled and Dominic complied.
"Yes, my love." She said and stopped her actions. "Anything else you would like for me to do?"
"Shut your mouth. I wanna have some silence before that girl shows up. It's going a bloody mess to when she does." Drake replied and so Dominic kept her mouth shut.
A few hours later, back at the Pokémon Center, Lara received her Pokémons. "There you go, miss." Nurse Joy said, handing Lara her Pokeballs back. "Your Pokémons are all back at 100 percent."
"Thank you Nurse Joy," Lara said, taking her Pokeballs and placed them on her belt. "Now I can go challenge Brock."
"I wish you the best of luck," Nurse Joy said sincerely.
"Thanks. See ya later." Lara said and rushed for the exit.
The sun was already setting as Lara had arrived at the gym. When she got there, she was greeted by some kids that looked familiar. That was mainly because of their shut eyes being very similar to Flint's.
"Excuse me?" Lara said as she walked over to them. "Is this the Pewter City gym?"
"Yes it is. Are you Lara?" One of the kids asked.
"Your dad told you bout me?" Lara asked and the kids nodded in response. "Well, ain't that nice of him. I've heard your big brother is the gym leader, correct?"
"He is," One of them spoke. "He's the best gym leader there is and he's gonna beat you." He said as if it was a matter fact.
"I hope he doesn't. I really want that gym badge." Lara replied. "May I come inside?"
"Sure," Another kid replied. "I'll go get Brock for you." She said and rushed back to the house.
Lara was impressed by the interior of the gym. The field itself was a rocky terrain. Just what you'd expect from rock gym.
"Lara," The beginner turned her head to see the familiar face of Flint, who was standing down the other end of the gym hall with his family. "Glad you could make it." He said with a smile.
"Flint, glad to see you to." Lara replied. "Now which one of you is Bro-?" Before Lara could finish her question, Brock was already in front of her in blinding speed, blushing and on his knee, holding her hand.
"You must be Lara my dad told me about. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Brock. The Pewter City gym leader." Brock said with hearts in his eyes.
"Nice to meet you," Lara said awkwardly
"Are you a Gardevoir? Cause I would love for you to synchronize with me." Brock flirted. Suddenly, Brock got a sickening look on his face as he had just been struck in the back by poison jab from a Pokémon. "You're always there for me, aren't you Croagunk?" Brock said as he hit the ground face first.
Lara looked at the Pokémon that had knocked the gym leader out. "What Pokémon is that?" She asked as she brought out her Pokedex."
Croagunk, the toxic mouth Pokémon. Inflating its poison sacs, it fills the area with an odd sound and hits flinching opponents with a poison jab.
"Forgive my son," Lola said, as Brock was being dragged away from Lara. "He's had some … bad influence growing up." She said, looking at Flint, who blushed and looked down in embarrassment.
"That's okay," Lara assured. "Is he going to be able to battle?"
"Yeah," Brock said, rising to his feet. "This happens too often, I'll tell you that. I'm used to it."
"Don't know if I should be disturbed by that or relieved but who cares?" Lara said, readying herself. "Let's get this battle started.
"Will do," Brock said. "Have you won any other badges yet?"
"No. This is my first official gym battle." Lara replied.
"I see. Then let's make this a two on two battle." Brock suggested as he walked over to the wall. He pressed a button and part of the wall opened up to reveal a hidden compartment which had six Pokeballs perfectly lined up. "Since this is your first gym battle I'll use these two." Brock said, showing her two of his Pokémons.
"Got it. And I know just the right Pokémons to use." Lara declared.
On the roof, Drake and Dominic were looking down upon everyone from the glass window.
"Took her long enough. Let's get this over with." Drake said.
"Wait. That's Lara?" Dominic asked.
"You know her?" Drake wondered.
"That's the same girl I ran into in Viridian Forest. What a coincidence." Dominic said.
"Well, let's have a reunion then." Drake said and looked at Brock. "That gym leader won't be a match for me but he could cause some problems. Keep him off my back while I take care of that girl."
"Your wish is my command, my love." Dominic replied obediently.
Back inside the gym, everyone was set to start the fight. Flint had offered to be the referee.
"This gym battle between the Pewter City gym leader, Brock and challenger Lara Bane will now begin. This is a two on two fight. During this battle only the challenger my substitute her Pokémon with another. Are you both ready?" Flint asked.
"Ready?" Brock said.
"So am I," Lara replied with a smirk.
"Begin!" Flint cried out but right then, the glass window on the roof was shattered, interrupting the fight before it can even start. Drake and Dominic landed gracefully in the center of the battlefield. "Who are you?" Flint demanded.
"Hey! What gives? You bastards are interrupting our battle." Lara spat.
"Be silent girl." Drake told Lara. "And maybe I'll let you keep your tongue."
"That logo," Brock said as he saw the R on Dominic's shirt. "You guys are from Team Rocket."
"Smart boy," Dominic said, holding up her Pokeball. "If you know about us you probably know that getting in our way isn't a smart idea." She said and tossed her Pokeball. "Come on out, Tentacruel." She said and unleashed said Pokémon. "Your rock types will be no match for my Tentacruel so back of or I'll have him squeeze you until you head pops like a zit." She warned with a wicked grin.
Suddenly Lola stood between Dominic and Brock.
"Mom?"
"I'll take of her. You get the children out of here." Lola told her son who was skeptical at first but complied.
"Come on everyone. Back to the house." Brock told his siblings and they did as they were told.
"Well ain't that sweet? Mommy's gonna protect her little boy." Dominic mocked.
"Don't mock an overprotective mother," Lola warned and threw a Pokeball. "I choose you, Blastoise." She said and unleashed a large turtle like Pokémon with two cannons on its shoulder.
"That's a nice looking Blastoise you've got. But don't think that just because our Pokémons are of the same type it means we're evenly matched." Dominic warned. "Tentacruel, use hydro pump."
"Blastoise, you use hydro pump you to." Lola cried out.
The two Pokémons used their attacks and they collided with equal force.
"While the ladies are busy entertaining each other," Drake said, eyeing Lara. "hand over that necklace of yours."
"What? Fuck of. This was my dad's. Ain't no way I'm handing it over to you. Go get your own." Lara told Drake.
"I don't care about your father. Hand that necklace over or I will chop your head off and take it from your severed body." Drake warned, grasping his knife.
"I'd like to see you try, asshole." Lara said and tossed her Pokeball. "Come on out, Terry." Lara cried out, unleashing her Pokémon.
"So you chose death? That alright. I was gonna kill you either way." Drake spat and tossed his Pokeball, unleashing his scarred covered Charizard.
"Wow. He's got a Charizard." Lara said and brought out her Pokedex.
Charizard, the flame Pokémon. The final stage of Charmander. Charizard flies around the sky in search of powerful opponents. It breathes fire of such great heat that it melts anything. However, it never turns its fiery breath on any opponent weaker than itself.
"That may be true in most cases. But not for my Charizard." Drake said. "I've turned this one into a bloodthirsty killer who enjoys taking lives as much as I do."
"You train your Pokémons to take lives? How dare you call yourself a trainer?" Lara hissed in furry.
"Stop it. You're embarrassing yourself. I've heard these lectures so many times now it's really getting annoying. I don't care what a bunch of trashes think of my way of doing things. Just quit your bitching and attack!" Drake spat.
"With pleasure. Terry, use flamethrower!" Lara ordered.
"Block it," Drake ordered.
Charmander fired flamethrower and Charizard raised his palm and blocked it, effortlessly.
"What the fuck?" Lara cried out in shock.
As the flames died down, Terry was equally surprised as Lara when he saw that Charizard's palm was only a little scratched. Charizard looked at his palm before licking the small wound on it and turned his attention back at Terry, giving the much smaller Pokémon a menacing glare. Terry backed away in fear.
"That was cute," drake mocked, unimpressed. "Let me show you how a flame thrower really looks like. Charizard, incinerate that insect with your flamethrower!"
Charizard did as he was told and fire upon the little Pokémon, covering it entirely in flames. "TERRY!" Lara cried out in fear. Charmander fell but Charizard did not let up. "No! Stop it! I give up!" Lara desperately cried out
"Don't stop firing until you've turned that piece of trash into ash!" Drake ordered and Charizard did not stop.
"STOP IT!" Lara cried out as tears came leaking from her eyes.
"Golem! Use tackle!" Flint cried out, unleashing his Pokémon. A Golem came out of his Pokeball and it went straight for Charizard, tackling him on the left side, making it fly right into the wall of the gym.
"Terry!" Lara cried out as she rushed to the fire. She toke of her vest jacked and used it to put out the flames and pick up Charmander. "Terry, please, give me a sign."
"Lara," Flint said as he now stood in front of Lara, facing Drake. "Your Charmander is in critical condition. Get out of here. Take him to the Pokémon Center."
"Will you guys be able to handle them on your own?" Lara asked.
"Don't worry about us. Worry about your Pokémon. Now go!" Flint spat and Lara jumped to her legs and started running towards the exit.
"How cute. You think I'm gonna let her get away." Drake said.
"Allow me, my love." Dominic said and tossed another Pokeball into the air. "Ariados, let's get down to business." She said and unleashed her spider like Pokémon. "After that girl. Kill her, and then bring me her necklace."
Ariados did as it was told as it started scaling the walls to get round the battlefield.
"Oh no, you won't." Lola said. "Blastoise, use hydro pump to stop Ariados.
"Now's your chance, Tentacruel. Use poison sting!" Dominic ordered and Tentacruel fired a purple sting at Blastoise, hitting its mark.
"Blastoise!" Lola cried out with worry as her Pokémon staggered backwards. "Are you alright?" She asked and Blastoise nodded in assurance.
"You idiot," Dominic mocked. "Don't you know you should never take your attention away from your enemy if they're not beaten?"
"Then I'll have to beat you as quickly as possible and go after to help that poor girl. Blastoise, use rabid spin!" Lola ordered and Blastoise retreated into its shell and started spinning around in the air, heading straight for Tentacruel.
"Hydro pump, Tentacruel." Dominic ordered and Tentacruel fire the attack, stopping Blastoise in mid air.
Lara made it outside with Charmander in her arms and ran as quickly as she could for the Pokémon Center.
"Hang in there, Terry. I'll get you to the Pokémon Center soon just please don't die." She begged to her Pokémon.
Right then, Ariados came out of the building as well. It locked on to Lara and jumped into the air, covering a great distance. It landed on Lara's back, knocking her of her feet and then bit her on her back, poisoning her. Lara cried out in pain as she hit the ground. The poison quickly affected her as she found herself unable to get back up. She tried to reach out to Terry, who was now laying a few feet away. Ariados wouldn't allow her the chance as it used its long legs to turn her around on her back. It saw her necklace and reached out to grab it but was suddenly interrupted.
"Geodude, use mega punch!" Brock cried out as his Pokémon attacked Ariados with powerful punch, sending Ariados flying away from the poisoned girl. "Lara," Brock said with worry, rushing to her side. He held her in his arms.
"Save … save my Charmander," Lara said, weakly, pointing at her Charmander.
Brock looked at Charmander who was in even worse shape than she was. He heard the Ariados getting back up on its feet. "Shit," He hissed. "Geodude, attack Ariados again with mega punch." He ordered but before Geodude could do anything, another person jumped in.
"Cross chop," The mysterious man said and all of a sudden, a humanoid cat like Pokémon came into view and delivered a double karate chop with its forearms crossed, hitting Ariados hard, sending it flying until it hit the wall of the gym and fell unconscious to the floor. "Incineroar, let us proceed." Muramasa said as he walked pass Brock and Lara.
"Who are you?" Brock asked but Muramasa ignored him. 'I don't know who that was but he did save us from that Ariados so I guess he's on our side.' He thought and turned to his Pokémon. "Geodude, take Charmander to the Pokémon Center. I have to take Lara to the hospital."
Back inside the gym, Golem was pushing Charizard back.
"Charizard, use seismic toss." Drake ordered and Charizard picked Golem up and flew into the air.
"That's impossible," Flint said, astonished. "Golem weighs 300 kg. How can Charizard fly into the air with it like it's nothing?"
"My Charizard is not your average Charizard." Drake said with a grin. Charizard grabbed Golem's wrist, spun around in the air and tossed Golem towards the ground, hard. "Charizard, finish it off with iron tail." Drake ordered and Charizard kamikaze towards Golem as its tail glowed and struck Golem across the face with its tail. Golem was knocked out and laid unconscious on the ground.
"Golem, no!" Flint cried out.
"Now, turn your attention to that nuisance behind you." Drake ordered and Charizard turned to face Flint. "Use flamethrower and turn him into ash." Drake ordered.
"What? No!" Lola cried out in fear but could do nothing as Dominic was keeping her busy.
Drake's Charizard inhaled and prepared to fire while Flint raised his arms in fear, preparing for death to come. However, just when Charizard was about to fire, there was an explosion and the doors flew past Flint towards Charizard, who swatted the doors away with his arms.
"What now?!" Drake spat in annoyance. His expression turned to surprise when he saw who it was that came out of the entrance. "You've got be joking."
"Wh-who are you?" Flint asked but Muramasa ignored him like he did with Brock.
Muramasa smiled wickedly. "Now you feel my pain!" He cried out with anger. "Incineroar, fire fang!" He ordered and his Pokémon went into attack.
"Charizard, use flamethrower." Drake told Charizard and said Pokémon complied, firing upon Incineroar.
"Dodge it, Incineroar. Then move into strike Charizard with fir fang." Muramasa ordered and Incineroar jumped out the range of Charizard's flamethrower but Charizard just turned its head in the same direction as Incineroar, still firing flamethrower so Incineroar had to continue to dodge.
"Who's that guy?" Dominic asked.
'Now's our chance,' Lola thought. "Blastoise use skull bash." She said and Blastoise complied. It hit Tentacruel with a head but, sending Tentacruel backing. "Now use hydro pump!" Lola ordered and Blastoise shot water from its cannons, hitting Tentacruel head on.
"What the…?" Dominic said as she turned around and narrowly dodged her Tentacruel that was sent flying across the room and hit the wall and the other side.
"Weren't you the one who said you shouldn't take your eyes of your opponent?" Lola asked with smug grin, causing Dominic to glare at her.
Before she could send out her other Pokémon however, a sound was heard in the background. Sirens.
"The cops," Dominic said in panic.
"Brock must've called them," Lola concluded.
Drake sneered. "Dominic, recall your Pokémons. Charizard, we are leaving this shit hole." He said and Charizard moved to his master's side.
"No you won't! Incineroar, use flame thrower and stop them." Muramasa ordered, determined to not allow Drake to escape.
"Charizard, fire flamethrower on the ground." Drake said and Charizard fired on the ground, resulting in a large dust cloud, which served to cover Drake's and Dominic's retreat. Drake's Charizard flew towards the shattered glass ceiling with Drake on his back.
"You will not get away!" Muramasa spat as he called back Incineroar. "Flygon, come out!" He cried out, unleashing a large green dragon like Pokémon. Muramasa jumped on Flygon and said. "Follow that Charizard," And so Flygon toke flight towards the sky.
As the dust cleared, Lola rushed over to her husband, who was looking over his Golem. "Flint, are you alright, dear?" She asked with worry.
"I'm good. So is Golem." Flint said as Golem started regaining conscious. Flint looked around the now destroyed gym. "The other one has disappeared."
Lola looked behind her and saw that her husband was right. "Shit. The police isn't going to be happy about that."
Dominic wasn't far however. She was just outside, looking for her Ariados. She found it, all banged up on the wall. "That other guy must've done this. Return Ariados." She said, pulling her Pokémon back. She quickly rounded the corner as the cops had just made it to the entrance. There were at least six cars and one motorcycle.
"I saw someone run past that corner," One of the policemen said.
"Alright, you two," The policewoman on the motorcycle said pointing at two police officers. "You're with me. The rest of you, get inside and subdue the others."
Dominic ran through some bushes and brought out her Pokeball. "Pyroar, come out." She said, unleashing her strongest Pokémon. She jumped on his back and said, "Run as fast as you can." And so they were of at an incredible speed.
"Hold it right there!" Officer Jenny cried out as she and her colleagues had just made it to the back, aimed their guns at Dominic and started firing, but it was too late. Pyroar was too fast and the darkness provided Dominic with some good cover. "Damn it," Jenny hissed and turned to the other two policemen. "Get our choppers in the air. Tell them to keep an eye out for a woman riding a Pyroar."
"Yes ma'am." One of the policemen complied and rushed back to the police cars.
Drake was having less fortune shaking of Muramasa than Dominic had getting away from the cops.
"I've told you before, you won't get away!" Muramasa cried out, hate evident on his expression. "Flygon, use Dragon Breath!" He ordered and Flygon exhaled a gust of some sort.
"I do not have time with you, Muramasa." Drake hissed from the back of his Charizard. The flying fire type managed to dodge the attack and Drake was about to order an attack when suddenly, Muramasa's Flygon was hit by a fire attack.
Muramasa cried out as he and his Pokémon crashed towards the ground, smashing through some branches and lost consciousness when they hit the ground.
"Don't worry, Drake, my love." Drake heard the familiar voice of his companion, who was still ridding her Pyroar that had smoke coming out of its mouth. "I've got you covered."
Drake snorted and said, "You are good for something. That's for sure."
Dominic however was looking mighty happy by his insult. "Ah, Drake, I am overjoyed that you think of me in such high regards. This can only be proof that my love has reached out to you." She said dreamingly while holding her cheeks that were pink.
Pyroar was sweat dropping at Dominic's delusional conclusion and let out a growling noise.
(Translating what Pyroar is saying: Sometimes I worry about my master)
The next day, Lara was seen in a hospital bed in hospital robes. She stirred in her sleep and her shut eyes were twitching.
"Lara?" She heard a voice say. She opened her eyes and at first everything was blurry. She blinked a few times to clear her vision and eventually got view of a doctor. "You're lucky to be alive. A few minutes sooner and the poison would've killed you."
"Poison?" Lara asked confused. Then she remembered last night and jumped up on her bed but winched from the bite mark on her back. "Ouch," She said, holding her back.
"Lara, take it easy. You've just recovered from a deadly poison." The doctor told Lara, trying to calm her down.
"Where's Terry? Where's my Charmander?" Lara demanded to know, ignoring the doctor's advice.
"You're Charmander was taken to the Pokémon Center and I've heard it has made a full recovery." The doctor replied.
"And here he is to confirm it," Said a familiar voice at the entrance to the hospital room. It was Brock, holding Terry in his arms, fully recovered.
"Terry!" Lara cried out in joy. Charmander jumped out of Brock's arms and rush over to Lara and jumped into her awaiting embrace. "I was so worried. I'm so relieved that you're okay." She said, hugging Terry tightly, crying tears of relief.
"You were lucky I was there," Brock said. "That Ariados was nasty. Good for you that the cops got there quickly. They were able to get you to the hospital and your Charmander to the Pokémon Center faster than I could."
"I owe you big time, Brock. Whatever you want you can have it." Lara said with a grateful smile. Next thing she knew, Brock was in front of her, on his knee and holding her hand like yesterday.
"In that case allow me to take out on a date you'll never forget," He said with hearts in his eyes. But then he turned purple and fell to the floor as Croagunk had used poison jab on him again. The Croagunk grabbed Brock's leg and started pulling him out of the hospital room. "Then again, your gratitude is all the reward I need." Brock groaned.
"And people say I'm weird," Lara said. The beginner looked at the doctor and asked. "So will I be hospitalized for long?"
"Not at all. We just need to do some more checkups on you and if the results are negative you may leave." The doctor replied.
"Great. I still have a gym battle to take care of." Lara said with excitement and looked at Terry. "What's you say Ter? Feeling strong enough to fight?" She asked and Terry flexed his tinny arms and let out a cry. "That's what I thought."
"Lara, even after we release you, you really should take it easy. That poison nearly killed you." The doctor advised.
"Yeah, I hear ya." Lara replied. "So I'm guessing the police want to ask me a few questions regarding last night?" She asked.
"No they don't," The doctor replied.
"Huh? Why not? I was the one those two targeted last night." Lara said in confusion.
"That's the way the police force work. It's quite an embarrassment." The doctor said with a sigh.
Meanwhile at the police station
"I want every officer of this station mobilized and move out to search for those Team Rocket members, ASAP. Alert any nearby city or village about their presence. We'll need every law enforcer within a hundred miles radius to catch these scums." Officer Jenny ordered every commanding officer in the station. "Prepare a chopper for me. I'll lead the hunt personally." She said, making her way out of her office.
"Ma'am," One of the younger officers spoke. "What about the girl they targeted last night? Shouldn't we question her and put under protection or something?" He asked.
"Oh, I'm sure she'll be fine. Let's move people. The force isn't paying us by the hour." Jenny said as she and the rest left the office, except for the young officer.
"And I thought Sinnoh's law enforcement were incompetent." He said with a sweat drop.
A few hours had passed and Lara had been released from the hospital and had returned to the Pewter Gym, alongside Brock. When they got there, they found the gym in shambles.
"Wow," Lara said in surprise.
"Yeah, those guys did a number on my gym last night. Don't worry. I have a huge insurance." Brock said.
"That's good. But what about our gym battle?" Lara asked.
"Don't worry. We can still have an official gym battle, with or without the gym." Brock assured Lara. "We can have our battle in the backyard if you're okay with that."
"Absolutely," Lara said, relieved. "Let's do this."
Moments later, the two were in the family backyard, Brock and Lara standing at a fair distance from each other. Brock's family was standing in the sidelines, dressed in cheering outfits and cheering for the eldest son of the family.
"Give it your best!" The family chanted.
"Man, you've got your family to cheer you on and I got nothing." Lara commented.
"Don't let that distract you. Let's just get this fight started." Brock said, holding up his Pokeball. Lara nodded n agreement.
Like last time, Flint was acting as referee. "This rematch between the Pewter City gym leader Brock and challenger Lara is about to begin. This is a two on two battle. The fight is over when either one has lost both their Pokémons. Only the challenger may substitute her Pokémon for another during the fight. Begin!" Flint cried out and the battle had officially started.
"I'll go first," Brock said and tossed his Pokeball. "Come on out, Geodude!" He said, unleashing his Pokémon that spoke its name.
"So that's a Geodude?" Lara said and brought out her Pokedex.
"Geodude, a rock Pokémon. Found in fields and mountains. Mistaking them for boulders, people often step or trip on them.
"This is the same Geodude I used to save you last night." Brock stated with his arms crossed.
"Really? Well now I feel bad that I have to battle my savior." Lara joked. "But I guess that's just how things go sometimes. Come on out, Terry." She said and unleashed her Pokémon.
"You really gonna use a fire type against a rock type? That's bold." Brock commented.
"To be honest, I only have one Pokémon that would be effective against rock types." Lara explained. 'There's no way Magikarp can fight the way he is now.' She thought. "So I prefer to save that one for later. Besides, Terry has battled a rock type before and won."
"Good. Then this will be worth my while." Brock said and gave his first order to his Pokémon. "Geodude, use tackle." Geodude did as his trainer said and went in for attack.
"Ha! To slow. Terry, jump out of the way and use flamethrower." Lara instructed. Terry easily avoids the attack and used flamethrower on Geodude, landing a direct hit. "He shoots he scores!" Lara cheered.
"That won't work. Geodude, use mega punch." Brock ordered and Geodude emerged from the fire, unharmed and landed a hard punch on Terry's face.
"Terry, no!" Lara cried out as Terry was sent flying.
"I thought you said that Charmander had beaten a rock type before." Brock said with his arms crossed.
"Just watch. Terry, use scratch." Lara ordered and her little Pokémon started scratching on Geodude's face.
"That won't work either," Brock stated.
"Yeah? Look again." Lara said, confusing Brock and saw to his surprise that Geodude had taken damage as his face was scratched. "We've been training on boulders." Lara explained with a cocky grin. "Now Terry, use tail whip!" She exclaimed and Terry swung his tail at his opponent.
"Geodude, grab Charmander's tail!" Brock ordered and Geodude managed to grab Terry's tail with its large hands.
"Oh no!" Lara cried out.
"Geodude, slam Charmander into the ground." Brock ordered and Geodude swung Terry up and slammed him into the ground, twice. "Now hurl Charmander into the air." Brock said and Geodude spun around and toss Terry high into the air. "Hit him with mega punch when he comes down." Brock said and Geodude prepared a mega punch.
"Terry, counter it with tail whip." Lara ordered and Terry spun around in the air to gain momentum as he fell. The two Pokémons collided their attacks, resulting in a large bang, forcing the two Pokémons back. They scrapped the dirt as they were forced back. "Quick Terry. While Geodude is down, use tail whip again to take him out."
Charmander quickly got out of the dirt and charged Geodude.
"Geodude, get up, quick!" Brock told his Pokémon but Geodude was having trouble getting up. Terry was able to score a direct hit on Geodude's face, forcing it back. Geodude hit the ground a few away from his opponent, with spirals in its eyes.
"Geodude is unable to battle. Charmander is the victor." Flint declared.
"Alright! That's what I'm talking about." Lara cheered, jumping up and down in celebration, her boobs bouncing as she did so.
Brock called Geodude back. "You did great, old buddy. Now take long rest." He said with a kind voice, before turning his attention back to Lara. "Not bad for a beginner. You're doing a lot better than a certain friend of mine did when he fought me for this gym badge."
"Thanks for the compliment," Lara said, showing her confident grin.
"But you still need to beat my second Pokémon. Come on out, Steelix." Brock cried out, unleashing said Pokémon. It was a giant snake like Pokémon made of steel and had a large chin.
"Wow," Lara said with an amazed expression. "He has a Steelix." She said before bringing out her Pokedex again.
"Steelix, the iron snake Pokémon. Its body has been compressed deep under the ground. As a result, it is even harder than a diamond."
"Steelix's a steel type which is weak against fire types. You've got this Terry." Lara said with confidence and Charmander let out a cry of confidence.
"Begin!" Flint cried out to start the second round.
"Steelix, use rock throw." Brock ordered and Steelix smashed the ground with its tail, resulting in a bunch of boulders coming out of the ground was hurled at Terry.
"Quick, dodge them Terry." Lara cried out and Terry easily maneuvered around them. "Good thing we have experience dealing with this move. Now, use flamethrower." She said and Terry shot fire at Steelix.
"Steelix, use dig." Brock quickly said and in an instant, Steelix dug into the ground, and the flamethrower narrowly missed.
"Shit," Lara cried out.
"Now, resurface." Brock said and Steelix emerged from underneath Terry's feet, scoring a direct hit.
"Terry!" Lara cried out.
"Now, use iron tail." Brock ordered and Steelix's tail started glowing, which caught Lara's interest. It struck Terry head on, smashing him into the ground. This snapped Lara back into the battle as she cried out Terry's name again. When the dust cleared, Terry was on the ground with spirals on his eyes.
"Charmander is unable to battle. Steelix is the victor." Flint declared and Brock's family cheered.
"Terry," Lara said, rushing over to her Pokémon and picked him up. He had a sad expression on his face but Lara gave him a comforting look and said, "Don't be sad Terry. You fought with everything you had. You earned me half the battle. I'm proud of you." She said and called him back into his Pokeball. "Now take a long rest. You've more than earned it."
At a village, far from Pewter City, Muramasa was coming out of the forest, dirty and covered in bruises. And he was looking furious. He kept an eye out as he walked down the street of the village and spotted what he was looking for. Phone boot on the sidewalk. A young man was already using it though. A kid with, a hat and red jacket. He was talking with a girl with blue hair on the screen.
"So Jimmy, how's your Kanto journey going?" The girl asked.
"I'm doing great, thank you very much Marina. I've already gotten two badges." The boy called Jimmy replied with a smile.
"Wow. That's great." Marina, as the girl on the screen said.
"What about you? How's Hoenn?" Jimmy asked.
"I'm doing pretty good myself. I'm about to head over to have my first gym battle." Marina replied.
"Well, good luck to y-wow!" Jimmy cried out the last part as Muramasa grabbed his shirt and pulled him of, tossing him to the ground.
"Jimmy? What's going on?" Marina asked, worriedly until Muramasa came into view on the screen.
"He'll call you back," He growled and hung up.
"Hey! You can't do that." Jimmy said, jumping to his feet. "Just who do you think you-"
POW
Jimmy was suddenly elbowed in the face by Muramasa. The Team Magma member glared at Jimmy, who was back on the ground, holding his sore cheek.
"Leave!" Muramasa barked and Jimmy decided he was not worth it and started rushing away. Muramasa saw some onlookers who had seen the whole thing, were looking at him. "That goes for everyone!" He spat and in mere moments, everyone was scattering, leaving Muramasa alone.
Muramasa started dialing for his boss's private number. Moments later, Maxie came into view. "Yes, Muramasa?" He said.
"Forgive me sir. I found Drake. But he got away, like the coward he is." Muramasa hissed.
"Oh? And here I thought you had been spending these past eight years training to take him out." Maxie said with a raised eyebrow.
"It wasn't my fault," Muramasa defended, watching his tone. "He had a companion with him. She's was no pushover either. She knocked out my Flygon with a single blow. That's why I called. I need backup to deal with that silver haired bitch."
"Did you say silver haired?" Maxie asked and Muramasa nodded. "That could've been Dominic. I've heard of a silver haired woman within the Team Rocket ranks who is madly in love with Drake."
"How could anyone love such a piece of shit?" Muramasa wondered in disgust.
"I'll send you a comrade to help you deal with the both of them. I'll send Juniper." Maxie replied and Muramasa got a surprised look on his face. "Is something wrong?"
"N-no sir. This will not be a problem at all." Muramasa said, staying firmly loyal to his boss.
"Good. I've locked on to you coordinates. I'll send Juniper to your location right away. She's near Kanto so she should be there in a few hours." Maxie instructed.
"Understood, sir. Muramasa out." Muramasa said and hung up. He groaned right away though. "Of all the people I would be teamed up with, it had to be that muscle sized, brawn over brains, Juniper bitch." He said. "Well, not much to do about it since it's an order from Maxie. I'll just have to try and put up with her."
Back in Pewter, Lara's fight with Brock's Steelix was about to continue. She tossed her Pokeball and shouted, "Come on out, Chi-Chi."
Shroomish appeared and Brock commented "That's a healthy looking Shroomish you've got there. Something tells me Steelix and I've got our hands full on this one."
"You have no idea," Lara said.
"Begin!" Flint cried out and started to final round.
"Now, Chi-Chi, use tackle." Lara said and Shroomish went in for attack.
"I don't think so. Steelix, use dig again." Brock said and Steelix once again went underground, resulting in Shroomish hitting thin air.
"Not this again," Lara complained. "Chi-Chi, as soon as Steelix emerges, use spore." She instructed and Shroomish prepared itself.
"Now Steelix, attack." Brock said and the ground started cracking beneath Shroomish.
"Get out of there, Chi-Chi." Lara cried out but Steelix was too fast and managed to strike Shroomish as it emerged. "Now's your chance, Chi-Chi. Use spore." Shroomish did as she was told and unleashed her toxic spores, hitting Steelix, making it sleepy.
"No, Steelix!" Brock said with worry.
"Alright, Chi-Chi, use leech seed." Lara ordered.
"Steelix, get underground again." Brock said but Steelix was too sleepy to hear him. Shroomish fired a leech seed from the top of her head, hitting Steelix and it and from the seed grew vines of weed that covered Steelix entire being. "Crap," Brock said.
"Nicely done, Chi-Chi." Lara said with a grin. "Now use seed bomb!" She ordered and Shroomish fired a barrage of seeds from her head, hitting Steelix directly, resulting in an explosion. As the smoke cleared, Steelix hit the ground, spirals in its eyes.
"Aw, no." Brock groaned. His family shared his depression.
"Steelix is unable to battle. Shroomish is the victor and Lara wins the battle." Flint declares.
"Awesome!" Lara cried out in victory. "We won! Woo-hoo! My first gym battle and I won!"
Brock returned Steelix to its Pokeball. "You were great Steelix. I'm sorry I let you down." He said with an affectionate smile.
"Chi-Chi, you were amazing." Lara cried out with joy as she rushed over to pick up Shroomish and spin around with joy.
"Congratulations Lara," Brock said having walked up to her, stopping her victory dance with Shroomish. "I gotta say, that Shroomish sure is powerful. You've done a great job training it."
"Well, to be honest, I've only had this follow for little more than a day. She was strong when I first caught her so I can't take all the credit." Lara replied, sheepishly.
"Well, in any case, you've got yourself some strong Pokémons. You're gonna get far in the world of Pokémon trainers." Brock replied, earning a grateful smile from the girl. "Now, without further ado," He said, digging through his pocket. "I believe this is yours." He said and handed her a grey badge with an octagon shape.
"Aw hells yeah. Thanks." Lara said, looking joyfully at her very first badge.
"You can thank me…" Brock said, having gone down on his knee once and held Lara's hand, once again. "…by taking up on my offer and go on that dinner with me now." He said with hearts in his eyes.
Lara was feeling awkward and gave a faint smile and said "Third time's a charm, I guess." As she saw Croagunk behind Brock, right before it gave him a poison jab.
"Guess I'm eating alone tonight," Brock said as he was being pulled away again.
"That boy never learns," Lola groaned.
Next chapter: Route 3