AN: Thanks for the review! I have some interesting plans for Team Rocket but they won't pop back up again for a few chapters! Let me know if there are any grammar errors (I am an engineer. I don't know how to actually write things that aren't lab reports). Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of the characters. Just the random plot bunnies that my mind creates.
Chapter Warnings: Language
Chapter 4 - Leaving
Gary and Ash walk into the Mess Hall and head towards their new table, the table for the Four. Normally used for the higher ups, it's set in the corner near the food and provides the best vantage point for observing the rest of the room. Perfect for sharp-eyed instructors scanning to dish out punishment to misbehaving cadets.
The other two are already seated and are digging into the lavish spread of meat, cheese and fruit laid out for them in the middle of the small table. Ash takes a seat next to the blue haired man while Gary slides into the remaining chair between Ash and the redhead.
His partner grabs everything in reach and puts it on his plate. Gary slowly starts to eat his food as he quietly observes the other two.
They haven't said a word since their names were picked. How weird. You would think they would try to get to know each other a little better since only the advanced classes had partnered cadets before graduation for mission purposes.
The brunet watches as his partner tries to engage in conversation with the colorful duo but can't seem to get more than one word answers to his innocent questions.
What the fuck is their problem? They should be overjoyed right now. They each have their own pokemon.
Ash turns to Gary with a confused tilt to his brow. Gary gives a small shake of his head. We will talk about it later Ash. They are making me anxious. Leave them alone for now.
Ash seems to understand his silent message as he turns back to his food. His face stony. The raven gives up chatting and begins to fill his bottomless stomach. Gary looks up to see a quick glare from the woman directed at his partner.
Gary can also feel the stares at his back. He can hear the whispered conversations of those at the nearby tables. Gary quickly finishes the rest of his meal before grabbing Ash's arm and pulling him out of his seat. The duo quickly walk to the exit of the Mess Hall. Two soldiers are waiting for them at the doors with packages in their hands. Peeking into the box, Gary notices a small bowl of pokemon food to give their new partners. Saluting smartly in thanks, he leads Ash out once more.
"What the hell was their problem?" Ash asks once they are out into the hallway.
"I don't know. Something is off about them. They haven't said a word since they made it into the Four and don't seem happy about it at all. Plus that redhead has been glaring at you when you aren't looking."
Ash flinches. The raven glances behind them to check if they are being followed before leaning closer to the him.
"She was glaring at me during graduation too. You know when Charmander almost chose me? I don't understand any of that. Plus Pikachu looked terrified when I went to recall him. But after basically almost fighting to be my starter, I don't know why it would be scared of me…" Ash trails off in sadness and confusion.
Gary pats Ash's shoulder in an attempt to cheer him up. "I don't know Ashy-boy but let's just avoid them for know. And you can try talking to Pikachu when you feed him."
Walking into their barracks, which is thankfully empty for once, the duo sit down on their beds and set the bowls of pokemon food in front of them. Gary reaches for his pokeball on his belt as he sees Ash copy his action out of the corner of his eye.
"Well here goes nothing." The raven states before tapping the small button on the device releasing a stream of red light. The light condenses into the form of the yellow mouse. Pikachu takes a quick look around the barracks before sniffing the bowl in front of him and looking up at Ash. It tilts its head to the side in question.
"Go ahead and eat buddy. You must be hungry."
Pikachu blinks twice before it begins to eat. Gary turns back to his pokeball and lets his own monster out. Squirtle immediately begins to chow down the food at its feet.
They must really be hungry.
Gary rests his hand on the back of Squirtle's shell as it eats. He turns to see if Ash is having any progress with Pikachu. The sight that meets his eyes causes him to snort in laughter. Ash keeps trying to reach out to pet his new pokemon. But the mouse is somehow able to avoid his hand and still keep eating at the same time.
Ash looks over with a plea for help etched into his face. Gary returns the look with a smirk and shakes his head. All yours Ashy-boy. You have to be the one to bond with him.
"Hey buddy? You okay? Is this about what happened at the graduation ceremony?"
The pokemon's ears twitch in response as it looks cautiously up at its new trainer. Ash relaxes a bit as his pokemon stops jumping around.
"Did it have something to do with Charmander?"
The rodent glares off to the side before looking pointedly at the ball still in Ash's other hand. Ash glances down with a look of confusion on his face. Even Squirtle takes a break from his lunch to see what is going on. The pokemon share a brief conversation before they both look at their trainers and point to Ash's pokeball.
Ash brings the device closer to his face. Studying it closely as he looks for some defect that is upsetting his pokemon. "I don't see anything wrong with it? Do you Gary?" Gary shakes his head as he looks back and forth between the two pokemon and the pokeball.
Suddenly, Pikachu darts out and spins around. The pokeball is launched across the room from a powerful Tail Whip smacking Ash's hand. Ash cries out in shock and pain. Gary is on his feet and reaching toward his partner before the ball even stops rolling.
"Ash! Are you alright?!" Gary cries out. Immediately looking over the injury.
"I'm fine. Just more surprised than hurt really." Ash replies softly as he gently strokes his injured hand. A red welt already forming on the back of it. Pikachu sits at his feet glaring at the pokeball on the floor.
"Ash...I don't think your Pikachu likes to be in a pokeball."
Ash turns to look at him before looking down at his pokemon who squeaks in agreement. His gaze roams back over to the ball as his brown eyes seem to glaze over in thought.
"How about we make a deal buddy? You can't just wander around the Base. It's against the rules and I don't want you to be punished for that. Once we leave tomorrow morning, I won't force you into the pokeball if you don't want to go. You can stay out and walk with us but until then you have to return to it alright?"
Ash watches the pokemon with a small, hopeful smile on his face as it contemplates his offer. The mouse slowly approaches him. Ash tenses as if sensing he is about to be attacked again. Pikachu leans over to sniff the raven's injured hand before giving it a soft lick in apology. A bright smile overtakes his face as he reaches down to pet his new partner.
Gary turns back to his Squirtle who has finished his meal in the meantime and is attempting to crawl into Gary's lap. Gary picks him up and begins to pet him as well.
Twenty minutes later, both pokemon are snoozing in their respective trainer's arms. Soldiers begin to trickle in and immediately stop all conversation at the sight of the collared pokemon.
"It's alright. They're out cold." Ash tells them.
They walk in and take a brief look at the new members of the barracks. They have only ever seen live pokemon in their Battle Simulations class. But it's a hell of a big difference to see determined pokemon fighting each other over ones that are sleeping peacefully. Especially since only the advanced classes get to have Battle Simulations everyday. The other cadets don't even come close to that amount of time mock fighting.
"Ash, let's recall them now while they are asleep just in case Pikachu decides to throw a fit if he wakes up."
Ash looks down at the electric mouse in his arms with a conflicted look in his large brown eyes. Gary sighs before recalling Squirtle and putting him back on his belt. He slides out of bed and walks across to the room to pick up the pokeball and shoves it into Ash's face. Ash quietly thanks him and recalls Pikachu. The raven stares at the ball for a few moments before he too puts the ball onto his belt.
"Come on Ashy-boy. We have to get our team selections done."
xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx
Four hours later and Ash still hasn't managed to pick his team. A pitiful groan rings out from the raven's bed.
"Gary, how the hell are you done already? This is impossible!"
Gary sighs in annoyance. He was having such a lovely daydream of slicing through dragons before his partner had to ruin it.
"You had to write down a team for your final. Just use that one."
"But this is the real deal! It has to be perfect! This is impossible with only being able to choose six pokemon!"
Gary rolls onto his side to watch his partner flop backwards onto his bed with a huff. "Who said you can only have six? I literally just taught this to you like three days ago Ashy-boy. Did your Magikarp-sized brain forget already?" Gary smirks at the offended look that crosses the raven's face.
"That's impossible! I would've remembered that and there are only six slots on our belts!"
Ash points to the belt at his waist as if it can back up his argument. Does he seriously not remember? This was what we were first taught once we moved up to the advanced classes.
"Why do you think there is room for attachable pouches on our belt - and don't you dare say food because I will punch you if you do." Gary quickly adds at the mischievous look swirling in Ash's warm chocolate eyes.
The raven glares at him but remains silent. Gary lets him stew until he begins to fidget. Serves him right for having me tutor him and forgetting every damn thing once the exams are over.
At the pleading look in brown eyes, the brunet yields. "Only a maximum of six pokemon are allowed for any official League match but you are allowed to carry more. Your trainer card will prevent you from using more than six in an official battle by sending a signal to the pokeballs to remain closed once the limit is reached. But we are allowed to carry more."
Brown eyes widen in amazement. He really did forget. Asshole. Gary also notices the other soldiers look at him curiously. They must not know this either. Does anyone pay attention in class anymore?!
Letting his voice slip once more into a lecturing tone, Gary continues his explanation. "Besides, as soldiers we are expected to carry more than six for any battlefield situations. And since we are part of the Four, we have a pokemon who already knows how to do training drills. Do you see where I am going with this Ashy-boy?"
Brown eyes somehow widen further as Gary's words are finally processed. "Pikachu can train the other pokemon so they can learn the formations." He whispers.
Gary smirks at the amazed look on his partner's face. "Exactly. So since we don't have a limit on how many we have to carry and no restrictions on what we can capture due to our military license, we can literally catch anything we want. That's why the Four are given a starter. So we can get an elite team together faster since we are needed for more dangerous missions."
"That still doesn't help me pick out a team." Ash grumbles.
Gary closes his eyes and sighs loudly. He just had to get the most stubborn human alive as his partner.
"Just use whatever six you put on your exam Ash. The higher-ups only make us fill out the form so we have a place in mind to start our journey. They don't want us randomly walking around for a month without a plan in mind."
Ash hums in agreement as he quickly fills out his sheet. Just as he is about to lay back down, one of their instructors bursts into the barracks causing all of the newly graduated soldiers to rush to their feet. They stand at attention at the end of their bunks with feet spread shoulder width apart, hands clasped behind their lower back, heads forward and shoulders pulled back.. Walking into the room, the Lieutenant Colonel stops in front of Gary and Ash. He motions towards the small box at the end of their beds.
"Oak. Ketchum. You are wanted in the Commander's office. Immediately. Bring your things."
Their instructor waits patiently for the two to gather the few possessions they have. Gary's grabs his necklace that he got from Gramps as well as the top red half of a broken pokeball. It's what made them partners in the first place after all.
Gary places his trinkets in his pocket before looking over to see Ash grab an old black cap that belonged to his missing father as well as his half of their pokeball. He watches his partner slip his possessions into his jacket before moving over to the door.
The duo walk silently behind their instructor on the way to the Commander's office. I wonder what he could want. He saw us just a few hours ago. Did he suspect that we would have trouble with Ash's Pikachu? Or is it about those other two?
Gary's mind races from one thought to another. He almost runs right into the officer's back as he stops abruptly outside the office.
Gary follows Ash in and sits down in the last available chair. He notices the other two members of the Four are already stiffly seated before the desk and are waiting patiently to see why they were summoned.
The large office reflects the man who occupies it: pristine, dark and well kept. Various cold metal chairs line the walls in addition to the four pulled up in front of the sturdy mahogany desk. Not a single plant or picture can be seen. The walls are made of rough dark grey stone. The only splotch of color that can be found is thin red lines randomly swirling through a small black rug in the center of the room. A large window framed by blackout curtains overlooks the Parade Ground.
The Commander's desk is spotless. Not a pencil out of place and all of the papers are stacked neatly in one pile. The man himself is watching them silently. Back straight with his hands clasped on top of the stack of papers. Dark eyes analyzing each of them thoroughly.
"You wanted to see us sir?" Ash asks politely, shattering the silence that had descended upon the room.
The man sits quietly for a few more seconds before he leans back into his chair. Thick arms cross over an equally sturdy chest as he answers the raven's question.
"Yes. All of you are leaving the Base immediately. The Four always leave before dinner to give you a head start in case you are needed for a mission before the month is over. Are you team assignments completed?"
After seeing their affirmative nods, he continued. "You will each be given a backpack that contains everything graduates need for their journey. You will also be given weapons. A vehicle will take you to the Viridian City Pokemon Center where each team will have a room for the night. A chopper will pick you up to take you to your chosen destination at 0800 tomorrow morning. Am I understood?"
"Yes sir." The soldiers answer quickly, eager to not upset the Commander with any slow responses.
With a quick flick of the man's wrist in dismissal, the Four rise and salute their Commander before marching out of the room. Lieutenant Colonel Ridge is waiting for them in the hallway. They follow him out onto the Parade Ground and towards the edge of base where the vehicles are kept. The redhead gets into the front with the driver while the rest of them squish into the back.
The drive itself was a short, quiet one. The Pokemon Center was not that far from the Academy so that training pokemon can be treated quickly. Gary barely has anytime to analyze his surroundings, so different than the drab buildings on the base, before they arrive at their destination.
Once they exit the vehicle, they are each given a large backpack, semi-automatic rifle and Beretta M9 sidearm. The driver also hands out double-edged, straight bladed longswords and Ka-Bar tactical knives. The man sticks his hand out for their team assignments which they quickly hand over. The Lieutenant Colonel then salutes the Four before getting back in the jeep and driving off.
Gary looks down at the weapons in his arms and pack at his feet before glancing at the bewildered faces of his companions. He understands what they were feeling. Just a half hour ago, they were lounging around in the barracks waiting for dinner and now they have been essentially kicked out of the Academy in just mere minutes.
"Guess we better head in." Gary mumbles.
He turns to walk into the Pokemon Center. Gary hears the others follow behind him as he heads to the front desk. The woman behind the counter has long pink hair that forms two loops in the back. Her short pink dress covered with a white apron, as well as a white hat with the standard red medic cross decorating its front, marks her as one of the pokemon nurses.
The woman, Joy according to the nametag, gives Gary a smile. "Hello and welcome to the Viridian City Pokemon Center. My name is Nurse Joy. I take it you and your friends need a room?"
Gary smiles at the friendly woman. "Yes ma'am. Two please."
She blushes at his charming smile causing his partner to snort quietly in amusement. Gary smirks in response. No doubt Ash is rolling his eyes right about now. It's not my fault I can charm the pants off anyone if need be. "Do you have any pokemon that need treatment?"
Sparkling dark blue eyes, like liquid sapphires, stare at the pokeball on his belt. Gary pauses as he thinks over her question. The starters had lunch earlier and have been in their balls all day. They didn't look injured earlier so they should be fine.
"No but is there somewhere nearby that we can get some dinner?" The nurse slumps slightly in disappointment at hearing she can't provide any assistance but instantly perks back up again. Thin delicate fingers gesture towards a hallway leading off to the left.
"There is a cafeteria right down the hall! Service is complimentary for military personnel so don't worry about paying."
Gary graces the chipper nurse a grateful smile as she hands them their room keys. Handing the redhead their set, the two teams make their way upstairs before heading off to their respective rooms.
Gary follows Ash into their room for the night. Flicking on the lights he notices two twin beds on the right and a small bathroom and desk to the left.
Ash walks over to the bed closest to the window before dropping all of his new possessions onto it. "I am gonna shower real quick before we eat."
As Ash disappears into the bathroom, Gary begins to dump out everything in his backpack. Spreading everything out on top of the blanket, he takes stock of what they were given: rifle, sidearm, knife, sword, sleeping bag, small set of cooking equipment and utensils, nonperishable human and pokemon food, water bottles, extra clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, first aid kit, rope, flashlight, binoculars, solar powered communicator, ammo, sack of pokeballs, bag of collars, his trainer and military cards, small pouches for his belt and a small sack of money.
"That's quite a haul. I am surprised they gave us so much."
Gary turns to find a shirtless Ash with water dripping onto the towel hanging from around his neck. Green eyes follow drops of water that slide down the raven's defined chest and abdominals.
With a slight glare in annoyance at the half naked raven, he answers his partner. "It is probably because we are part of the Four. Since we already have a pokemon, and a trained one at that, as well as transportation, they expect us to head somewhere dangerous to get some strong pokemon as soon as possible. I doubt the other graduates will get this much."
Ash hums in acknowledgment and glances over the objects again on before taking the towel off his neck and rubbing it against his wet hair.
Green orbs lock onto the movement. Watching the way the raven's muscles shift under his tan skin. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he turns to repack his bag and puts away his trinkets.
Once Ash finishes drying off, he copies Gary before putting his half of the pokeball in his bag. Black cap in place, Ash smiles cheekily at him for his small defiance of the dress code. Not like anyone is around now to yell at him though.
A half hour later, Ash and Gary return to their room with full stomachs. Gary heads off to take his shower. He changes back into his boxers and shirt once he is clean. They aren't that dirty anyway and it is not like they have too many spares.
After brushing his teeth, he emerges from the bathroom to find Ash feeding Pikachu on his bed. Gary pours some food into a bowl and calls out Squirtle to have some dinner as well.
He smiles at his pokemon happily munching away on its dinner before he prepares for their early departure in the morning. He places his Trainer and Military ID into one of the small attachable belt pouches. He then fills up both water bottles in the sink and puts them in the side pockets of his pack. Grabbing his belt, he attaches the small bags that would hold his money and bag of shrunken pokeballs.
The brunet pauses as he looks down at his supplies. I think that's everything. He jumps as he feels a cold, slimy hand on his leg. Glancing quickly at the bed, he sees Squirtle's empty bowl. This little blue pokemon is looking off into the bathroom longingly.
Gary picks up his pokemon and carries him into the bathroom. Geez he must weigh 20 pounds already. I can't even imagine how heavy he is going to be once he evolves.
Gary fills up the bathtub to allow Squirtle to have some play time while he talks to his partner. Squirtle squeals in delight once he is placed into the water. Gary smiles at the excited water type.
"Don't make a mess or you are cleaning it up alright?"
The turtle salutes in agreement and proceeds to dive under the water. Gary walks back into the room to see his partner cleaning both of the pokemon's bowls and putting them away.
"Hey Ash. Squirtle is playing in the tub if Pikachu wants to join him."
Pikachu looks excitedly over at his trainer. Ash gives the little guy a smile and nods his head in approval. The mouse then darts away into the bathroom.
"So where should we go tomorrow? As you said earlier, they expect us to go somewhere dangerous since they are giving us a lift." Ash looks at him questionly as he prepares for the morning just as Gary had done a few minutes ago.
Gary watches his partner clean up as he sorts out his thoughts. We can't go anywhere too dangerous since we still only have one pokemon. However, there isn't much point in going somewhere that only has weak pokemon, especially since we have transport. Those won't stand a chance against the dragons...Where can we go that is low risk and has many rare, strong pokemon?
Green eyes widen as he thinks of the perfect place. The Safari Zone.
"How about the Safari Zone? It is just north of Fuchsia City so they can drop us off there. We would have to pay to get in and weapons are forbidden but the Commander gave us some money to use and the food they give us subdue any pokemon we are trying to catch. It's a win-win."
Ash shrugs in acceptance. Clearly content at going anywhere that Gary decides would be a good place for their journey to start.
"Sounds good to me."
With their plan set, the trainers retrieve their pokemon from the tub and dry them off. They didn't make a mess thankfully.Gary turns off the lights and curls up next to his sleeping Squirtle.
Soon. He will have the perfect team. The Riders better watch their backs because he is coming for them. And he won't show any mercy.
xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx
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Next up: Chapter 5 - Capture