Chapter 3: Flowers to Weeds
I had to stall her, or distract her. "Why not now? it'sss jusst one Pokemon, and it'll only take five."
Ericka suddenly seemed suspicious, she gave me a funny look and asked "Why the urgency, it's only for a few seconds...?"
shoot, gotta think fast! "B-becausse my friendss ssay that if I don't get a battle s-soon, they'll jusst call everyone here a bunch of chickenss... I know they aren't, but..." as I was speaking, I was starting to get nervous I might lose my cool. calm, Eric, just a couple of minutes, a couple of minutes... "I just want to prove them wrong, and I'm sssure you could help by taking up my challenge."
Either she was starting to suspect me, or she just thought I was just a kid, and just as she was turning the handle, I heard my radio headset get something.
"Claid, time to move out. We're done here, you've made a pretty good destr--." the door opened and Syrus got cut off when Ericka discovered them. "Hey! What are you doing-- HEY, THOSE POKEMON AREN'T YOURS!!"
Two grunts carrying a couple of large sacks, probably filled with Pokeballs, suddenly started running towards the back door at the end of the hallway, Ericka began chasing them. I hesitated for a moment, and then proceeded to removing my disguise. I removed the straw hat and wig from my head, I took out the buckteeth (and about time too, I hated them...), and I took off the disguise clothes, revealing a Team rocket tee shirt (black, with a big "R" on the back...) with black jeans and a black beret-like cap (a bit poofed out, but not drooping over to one side like a beret). I then bundled up the disguise, and dashed towards the back door... immediately I went through the same procedure of preventing myself from being tracked by an average Officer Jenny's Growlithe or Arcanine. I sent out Blaziken, then I asked him to use Flamethrower on the discarded disguise (melting the buckteeth), knowing full well I won't be using those clothes again in the future. The job's paycheck will give me enough to be considered a refund.
"Aaaagh!!" I heard one of the grunts scream. The battle nearby was getting out of hand, I had to think fast, or else.
*BSHH* "This is Merman calling from the Chopper, what the hell is going on over there!? Half the load's been packed up, but the second half is missing. CLAID, DEFEND THE SECOND GROUP!!"BFSHH*
It was Syrus, and it looks like the first group of grunts managed to get to the chopper OK, but it seems the second group is in trouble. I relayed the orders to the rest of the squad.
"This is Eric Claid, capture squad two is in jeopardy, I'll intercept, return to the Helicopter. Repeat, return to the helicopter!"
Everyone replied "Roger" or "Got it", and afterwards, I recalled Blaziken, and summoned Charizard and Alakazam. "Time to rumble, you two. remember, don't--"
hurt anyone too badly, we know Alakazam Thought Spoke, finishing my sentence. Haven't you ever considered leaving?
I stood silent for a few seconds, pondering the idea.
Think about that question.... another thought voice spoke, and I was left a little confused...
Wasn't me. Alakazam said when I looked at him.
I just stood there, and didn't move until I saw someone run toward the woods behind the Pokemon center (it turns out the grunts managed to make it past me). I regained my posture, and Hopped up on Charizard saying "Let's Fly."
Charizard opened his wings and took flight, Alakazam levitating. we rose above the Pokemon Center roof and as I saw Ericka and a few others focus on the retreating group, I was all set to battle.
Charizard hovered where we lifted off, giving us position. Ericka then Shouted, "Ivysaur, Use Razor Leaf!" A predictable kind of move to use, if the enemy is going to escape, then use Razor Leaf to rip open the bag. Cause its contents to spill out, and it'll make pursuit easier. Unfortunately for them, there's just one little catch about it. They may be sharp, but they are still leaves; whether they can cut or not, leaves are still flammable.
"Charizard, block the leaves with Flamethrower." I said. I then grabbed the black Team Rocket Grunts cap and tilted it so that a shadow lay over my eyes, hiding most of the expression on my face. and right when I put on my cap, Charizard let loose a stream of fire that overwhelmed the ongoing leaves, but suddenly five leaves popped out of the pillar of fire, and they stopped as Alakazam used Psychic, without my needing to say so. The result caused the fire to subside, and five leaves to hover in midair.
"Huh!? Wha--!?" Ericka definitely didn't expect that, and I wasn't surprised. she looked around wildly, and then looked up towards me. Charizard was getting restless, so I had him land between the second capture squad and the opposing Gym leader with her assistants. I swung my leg, careful not to kick Charizard's wing, and slid off onto flat ground to face Ericka.
"You want these Pokemon back, you'll have to go through me." I said, in the practiced professional zero-tolerance tone... I kept my eyes shadowed under my cap, because the expression I gave through my eyes would convince someone to try and make me feel guilty. I pulled myself together, I focused on the battle. it was five trainers on one at the moment, but the four grunts were supposedly on their way.... or something was wrong...
"A kid? They have kids in Team Rocket!?" one of the assistants said in shock. "the poor thing."
Jeez, she was making it sound as if I was forced into Team Rocket and abused, it was creepy... but I guess it's understandable to think that, since most members of Team Rocket are considered adults, usually from seventeen to eighteen and older. but I joined Team Rocket under a different reason. Not because of a threat, but because of a proposition that I refused one day, but had a strong enough impact to be unable to refuse the next day... but that's a different story, and now wasn't the time to reminisce on past events...
The standoff lasted for fifteen minutes, and then I started to hear the sounds of sirens in the distance. My best guess, was probably the city's officer Jenny coming to the rescue... the assistants turned their heads, shifting their attention over to the red and blue sirens in the distance, and figured now was my chance to strike.
"Alakazam, use Psychic on the assistants, lift them in the air, do not let them summon their Pokemon!" I commanded. a moment later the four assistants had a bluish glow around them. they immediately began floating up in the air, and they started to scream in surprise and fear of getting hurt.
"EEEK, I can't move!!"
"Hey, what are you--!?"
"I can't move, Help!"
It was the same human response, and I couldn't blame them... but now that the four extra trainers were unable to battle with Ericka, I was able to fight in a somewhat fair fight.
"Charizard, Take Flight!" The Battle began, and I was making the first move, Ericka got ready, she then made her move. "OK Ivysaur, get ready."
"Begin the battle with a Gust Attack!" I shouted. Charizard began Flapping his wings with enough force to cause a wind to blow over the battleground. Ericka put her wrist over her face, trying to still see. I put my hand on my cap, making sure it doesn't float off.
I tried to listen to what Ericka was trying to command Ivysaur, but because of the blowing wind, I couldn't make out what she was saying. although I immediately found that the mic was being muffled by the wind. I pressed it against my ear to hear it better...
*BSHH* Eric, ERIC!! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON THERE!? I can see Charizard using a Gust attack. Report, dammit, REPORT!!"
I had a hard time trying to respond, Charizard started getting tired. I had to react to the attack, I looked up at Charizard. "Charizard, Land and use Flamethrow--"
From out of nowhere, two dark green ropes wrapped around Charizard's jaw. They muzzled him almost instantly and he was forced to land on the ground, tugging backwards with his head in an attempt to get the ropes off. Charizard was just as caught off guard as I was, and his expression explained it. I looked down the ropes only to realize it was Ivysaur that muzzled Charizard with Vine Whip, and I found the resulting reason immediately. Charizard's extended Gust attack put enough strain on his wings to the point where he would damage himself if he tried to fly again. Furthermore, with most of his attacks coming from his mouth, Charizard was basically helpless without his wings and jaw. Still, that didn't mean I had no way out, and if I work fast enough, it'll work, despite it being crazy. plus, this wasn't an official battle, so anything goes, and I'm not surprised that few things I have in mind would catch a regular trainer off guard.
I gripped Charizard's Pokeball, and recalled him. a beam of red light shot out of the button from the red and white sphere, practically dematerializing (sci-fi talk, I know) the large pokemon into the sphere, throwing off Ivysaur's grip on his jaw, and causing it to fall backwards. Once Charizard was in the Pokeball, I then sent him out again, and took the delay to my advantage.
"Quick, use Flamethrower!" I commanded. No hesitation, no pause, that stream of fire shot toward Ivysaur, and I knew this would Knock it out.
Eric, Behind you!! Alakazam shouted in thought with enough urgency that I just immediately jumped to the right out of instinct. Just as I did so, a rainbow-like beam shot out towards Charizard, through the spot where I was just standing. "Light--!!" I didn't have enough time to say "Light Screen, but a gold-ish panel appeared and blocked it, which told me that Alakazam got the message. I wasn't able to see Ivysaur until a moment later, where it stood, browned, and then it collapsed on the spot, unconscious...
The assistants were shrieking, I Recalled Charizard, and I just stood there.
One problem solved, but one question remaining.
"Where'd that beam come from...?" I said to myself. I guess Alakazam used Future sight without my expecting it, just to be safe, and now I feel thankful for it...
*BSHH* "Claid, Job well done. the second squad reached the chopper and now we're ready to go. Another job well done, kid." Syrus said in the radio.
I began to walk away, my face remaining blank, a shadow still over my eyes.
"...Why?" I looked toward the source of the voice. Ericka was giving me the look that explained a girl that lost someone dear. I felt something well up in my throat I put the front of my cap in between the gym leader and my line of sight and only said three words.
"It's my job..."
"LIAR!!" someone behind Ericka Screamed. it was a kid about a couple of years. his face was contorted in rage, and his teeth were bared..."LAIR, YOU ROTTEN, EVIL..." The kid was definitely showing his anger. he was swearing in anger, and he threw a Pokeball in challenge… instead the Pokeball just floated, but didn't open. Alakazam levitated to the ground, and I stood there, suddenly hearing voices from recent events. The Pokéball was floating back towards his trainer, because of Alakazam's psychokinesis.
"we are to "relieve them" of those Pokemon." "THOSE POKEMON AREN'T YOURS!!" "...Why?" "...it's my job" "LIAR!" "LIAR!" "LIAR!"
The word "liar" echoed in my head, and it took an effort to prevent my guilt from being displayed. All I said then, were the last words they'd hear before I would reach HQ back in Viridian City.
"Alakazam... T-teleport to rocket mobile base"
I closed my eyes and felt a quick rushing feeling, and when I opened them again, I was standing on the right of the Rocket helicopter. I recalled Alakazam, and walked towards the platform.
The grunts were confused. "Why aren't you flying on Charizard?"
I was not in the mood to talk, so I said it in as few words as possible.
"Incapable condition," I said.
"Hey, you want that guy to be stronger, you gotta push him. push'em till he--"
*TSEEWWWW* "AHHH"
The guy who was just talking got cut off and yelped as the sound of a beam was shot, and I only turned around to find a familiar rainbow colored lance stab me through the center torso.
"NUGH!" I grunted as I felt as if I was on fire. My entire body burned inside and out, and then I discovered the attack to be a concentrated Psybeam, and it was the same thing that tried to hit me at Celadon City.
The Psybeam ended, and I fell backwards onto the metal floor of the chopper, wide-eyed and unable to move.
"Shit!" Syrus swore, "Kid, kid, you OK?
I felt like I was on fire, I wanted to scream. It hurt that bad, but my mouth just wheezed and shuddered. Everything began to turn slightly fuzzy... and I almost felt that fire still burning...
"Eric....OK? ey......you OK? Eric!!"
I couldn't make out everything I heard... but I made out one thing while I was losing consciousness... just one thing, and it was through telepathy of someone I didn't recognize. Eric Claid, innocent among the evildoers, let this be a reminder of what your regret can bring upon you...