Ch. 5 – Thunders of Friendship
After three days, Wes and Ash secretly became fast friends. They avoided showing any friendship in front of J, mostly to keep Wes's cover. J in surprise never did suspect Wes to be with Ash's old friends, but that was all about to change.
On the fourth day, Ash and Wes were called to the training areana. "Why do you think J called us?" Wes asked Ash. They walked down the hallway while Ash was in his Dark Raven outfit and Mask.
"Probably to put me through training again. She'll no doubt have you only watch." Ash answered continued to walk until they reached the training areana. Inside they saw J, smirking. "Why have you called us, Mistress?" Ash asked.
The dark woman began to walk towards the two. "I've called you two for a little training. I want you two to ingage in a double Pokemon battle." J answered. "You see, our next mission shall be in Kanto, and I want you two to be ready. Go to your opposite sides." Both trainers nodded and walked over to their respective sides.
Ash stood to the right of J while Wes stood to the left of the field. J smirked and called out, "Bring out your Pokemon!"
"Scizor! Beedrill!" Ash called out, bringing his two Bug Pokemion to battle.
"Scizor!"
"ZZZZZZ"
"Houndoom! Hariyama!" Wes called out as he summoned his dark hound and sumo Pokemon.
"Dooom"
"Hariyama!"
"Bring the collar!" J commanded. Immediately, one of J's henchmen, one of the new ones Ash figured, came with a metal collar with mutiple blinking lights. Ash sighed at the sight of the collar while Wes stayed confused. J turned to the minion and ordered, "You know what to do." The new henchmen walked over to Ash and sanpped the collar on his neck. Wes was curious why J had a collar put on Ash and not him. "Begin the battle!" J commanded.
Ash leaped into action. "Scizor use X-scizzor! Beedrill use Poison Sting!" Ash commanded. His two Pokemon lept into battle. Beedrill launched a number of poison darts while Scizor sent an X made of energy. Watching Scizor in battle reminded Ash of how he had gotten Scizor to join him.
Flashback
Ash was waking up to a new morning. This was the day after he had caught Kirlia, Larvitar and Scizor. As he rose from his bed, he saw Absol, Bulbasaur, Kirlia, Larvitar and Scizor all starring at him. "Hey guys, what's up?" he asked yawningly.
"Scizor." (Good morning, master.)
"Master?"
"Bulba, Bulbasaur." (We told Scizor about your problem)
"Absol" (And he has agreed to follow you.)
"Really Scizor?" Ash asked his crimson insect.
"Scizor Scizor, Sci." (Yes. I see you've been through much, and I sense you're good inside.)
"Thanks," Ash said as he welcomed his new Steel and Bug type.
Flashback end
Ash's trance was broken when a sharp electric pain coursed through his body. He screamed at the top of his lungs as the electrical currents shocked his every nerve. Once the pain stopped, he looked up and saw Beedrill had gotten hit with a Flamethrower.
"What the heck was that?!" Wes exclaimed as he saw Ash getting shocked.
"You see Wes," J began, "In order to train Dark Raven, I put him through many painful sessions. This is so his body becomes strong enough to resist the pain. Whenever his Pokemon get hurt, the collar induces a powerfull voltage of electrical energy through Raven's body. It is three times as powerful as any electrical attack." She finished with a smirk.
Wes looked back at Ash who was recovering from the shock. 'I can't attack Ash's Pokemon without hurting him in the process as well.' He thought. 'But I can't risk J seeing me feel sorry for him without blowing my cover!' He thought for a moment and called out, "Houndoom, Flamethower again!"
'I'm sorry, Ash.'
Houndoom sent a powerfull stream of Fire at both Scizor and Beedrill. Both were hit and Ash began to scream again as the electrical energy tortured his body. The pain was twice as bad since both his pokemon were injured. Once the pain finished, Ash fell to his knees, panting heavily.
Wes couldn't help feel like a complete traitor. He had promised Dawn to bring Ash back and became good friends with the trainer. Now he was torturing the poor boy. He kept a straight face to avoid J's suspicion.
"Finish him!" J commanded, to the shock of Wes.
"But he's your apprentice!" Wes cried out without thinking. J gave him a surprised look while he regained his composure. "Very well," He said with a serious face. "Hariyama, Houndoom, finish them!" Houndoom and Hariyama reluctantly followed their masters orders and sent a powerful Fire blast and Focus Blast towards Ash's Pokemon.
'I'm sorry, Ash.'
Immediately, Ash called out, "DODGE!" and his Pokemon followed. They both elluded the attack. As Ash rose back to his feet, he commanded, "Scizor, Iron Head. Beedrill, Air Cutter!" Scizor's head and Beedrill's wings began to glow. Scizor landed a succesfull Iron Head smash onto Houndoom while Beedrill struck Hariyama with its Air Cutter attack.
Both of Wes's Pokemon were sent back on their backs. Wes was in complete shock, he was glad to see Ash was still standing, but shocked that his Pokemon had so much power. "Finish with Double Brick Break!" Ash cried out. Now Wes was in complete shock, he never knew both Beedrill and Scizor could learn Brick Break.
Both insectoid Pokemon came at an alarming speed, with their stingers/claws glowing. Scizor landed a powerfull strike to Hariyama and Beedrill to Houndoom. Both of Wes's pokemon were knocked out woth swirls in their eyes.
Wes returned his Pokemon and looked to Ash, who had an emotionless face as well as his Pokemon. J walked up to Ash and said, "Well done Raven, nice recovery. Take off the collar!" The same henchmen that put the collar on, took it off Ash and left the room.
"Now, before I send you two back, I must inform you of our next mission." J explained. Both Wes and Ash stood side by side wainting for her information. "Lately we got reports about a group of trainers that are heading to forest of Celadon City. It is informed that a rare Pokemon has been seen traveling with them. Our mission is to capture that Pokemon, at any means necessary. Understood?"
"Yes, Mistress." Ash answered.
"Of course, J." Wes answered.
"Good. Now go back to your quarters. We will arrive in Celadon City in three days." J informed. Both trainers bowed and left the room.
As they walked through the halways, Ash whispered, "I forgive you."
Wes was a little taken back. "What?" He asked.
"I forgive you for the battle. I know you were only attacking to keep your cover." Ash answered. Wes refrained from showing any greatfulness since he knew J could still be watching them. Ash knew this aswell, so he did not say anything.
Later that day, in the Ash Fighters headquarters, the trainers were still preparing. Solana and Jackie had left to continue their jobs as Pokemon Rangers. The others were okay with this since they knew the two had their own responsibilities.
In the end, the trainer roster was made up of Gary, Brock, Misty, Dawn, May, Drew (Who had joined since May asked him), Tracey, Rui, and Zoey (Who was asked by Dawn to help. Shockingly enough, she also had a crush on Ash). The trainers all trained with their selected teams of Pokemon.
Gary's team was made up of Umbreon, Blastoise, Electivire, Nidoking and Fearow.
Brock's team was Steelix, Swampert (His Marstomp evolved), Crobat, Croagunk and Sudowoodo. He also had Happiny, but she was still to young to fight.
Misty's Pokemon included Corsola, Gyarados, Marill (Her Azurill evolved), and Politoed.
Dawn's Pokemon was Piplup, Pachirisu, Mamoswine, Quilava (Her Cyndaquil evolved), Buneary, and Pikachu (Only temporarily).
May's team was made up of Blaziken, Glaceon, Wartortle, Venusaur, and Beautifly.
Drew's team was Roserade, Butterfree, Flygon, and Absol.
Tracey's team had all evolved into Scizor, Azumarill, and Venomoth.
Rui had Pokemon given to her by Wes. She had a Meganium and a Ledian, and a Pidgeot, Charmeleon, and Wartortle given to her by Oak.
Zoey's Pokemon was made up of Glameow, Misdreavus, Gastrodon and Lumineon.
As the trainers practiced their battling skills, Proffesor Oak walked out to the training areana. The trainers instantly called back their Pokemon and walked over to the Proffesor. "I have good news," He exclamed, "Wes has infiltrated J's ship and has given us the location of their next attack."
"Where is it then, Gramps?" Gary asked.
"He said they were headed to the forest of Celadon City." Oak answered, "He said that there is a group of trainers accompanied by a rare Pokemon heading there. He said it will take them three days to get there."
"The let's get moving!" Misty exclaimed.
"Right." Oak agreed, "Everyone get ready. We leave for Celadon City Immediately!" All the trainers saluted and prepared to go and battle.
Back on J's ship, Wes and Ash were in Ash's room talking. With them were Wes's Espeon and Umbreon and Ash's Bulbasaur and Duskull. "So, you contacted them?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, and I told them where we are going." Wes answered.
"But you didn't tell them about me, right?"
Wes reluctantly nodded. He knew that he couldn't let Ash's friends know or they would blow his and Ash's cover, and maybe their own lives. "So, how is this going to play out?" Wes asked.
Ash sighed. "We can't take any easy hits. We're going to have to hit them hard. But we will give them an opportunity to catch J. I just hope none of them get hurt." He answered. Wes nodded.
The three days pass, and both teams were near the location. Meanwhile, unknown to the situation at hand, two trainers were walking throught the forest near Celadon Town. The first was teen of seventeen, like Ash. He also had dark ash hair and eyes, but his hair seemed a little unatural. He wore a yellow and black cap and a red and white hoodie. Next to him was a girl with blue unatural hair. She wore a short, long sleeved white jacket and skirt along with a pink shirt.
"How much longer Jim?" The blue haired trainer asked the black haired male named Jimmy.
"Not much longer Marina. He said he'd be here." Jimmy answered his female friend. They had been traveling together for 2 years. As the two trainers walked, a figure followed from afar. It resembled a yellow sabertooth tiger with a large cloud on its back.
As the two trainers reached a clearing, they spotted another,younger trainer in front of them. 'He' seemed about fouteen with blond hair and a large straw hat. 'He' wore orange poncho like clothing, along with blue jeans, purple boots and a blacksweatshirt underneath. Beside her was a female Pikachu.
"I'm guessing you're Terry Yellow?" Jimmy asked the Trainer.
"Yep, and you two must be Jimmy and Marina?" Terry asked in return.
"Yep!" Marina answered.
"So, do you want to battle or what?!" Jimmy asked excitedly.
"You Bet! Chu, let's go!" The trainer called out. 'His' Pikachu went before 'him' and stood ready for battle.
Jimmy reached into his pocket and took out a Pokeball. "Typhlosion, come on out!" He yelled as he threw his Pokeball and a large mammal like Pokemon appeared.
"Typhlosion!"
While the two trainers faced off. J and her group were watching from their cloacked ship. Dark Raven and Wes stood next to her. "When will we attack, Mistress?" Ash asked.
"Patience Dark Raven. We'll attack soon enough. We just have to wait for a while." J answered with a smirk.
Meanwhile, the Ash Fighters had also arrived to the battle. They heard of the battle occuring in the forest and they had been hiding within the bushes and trees. "Are you sure this is the place?" Drew asked May and Tracey.
"This is the only place available to battle in the forest." Tracey answered.
"That guy with the Typhlosion kinda reminds me about Ash." May commented. In another part of the forest waited Misty and Dawn, and in the other waited Gary, Zoey, Rui.
After 10 minutes into the battle, J and her team all waited in the loading deck. J was on her Salamence, Wes on his Flygon and Ash on Scizor. "Open the doors!' J commanded and the doors below opened. Immediately the three Pokemon fly with their trainers while the henchmen come down on ropes.
Down below, The three trainers and their Pokemon stood in shock as J's ship became visible. "What the heck is that?!" Marina cried out.
"I don't know, but it looks like trouble!" Jimmy exclamed.
As J, Wes, and Dark Raven landed on the ground and got off their respective flyers, The Ash fighters prepared themselves for the attack. Slowly, J walked up to the three trainers, who in turn were very tense about seeing these mysterious characters. "Who are you?!" Terry cried out.
J smirked and answered, "I am Hunter J. I have come for a little friend of yours." Jimmy tensed up. He knew who J ment, he only he hoped that He wasn't around. "Now, tell me were your friend Raikou is, or face the concequences!" J exclamed.
"Are you serious?!" Dark Raven exlcamed. He along with every trainer except J's Henchmen were in shock that the Pokemon she was looking for was a Raikou.
Jimmy continued to tense up while Marina stepped back. "Why do you want Raikou?!" She asked.
"For a profit!" Exclamed a voice. Immediately, all the Ash Fighters came from their hidding spots. All, including J were surprised. All except Ash and Wes, they had known since it was Wes that contacted them.
"Who are you guys?!" Jimmy exclamed.
"We are the Ash Figthers!" Dawn exclamed. Ash's heart rejoiced to hear her voice.
"We are a group of trainers to stop J and her dark Pokemon poatching ways!" Gary added.
"So, you kids are trying to stop me again?" J asked with a smirk. "To bad you couldn't do the same to save your friend Ash." Ash and Wes had kept quiet, they couldn't blow their cover just yet. They could see their friends get even angrier at J and Dark Raven.
"We'll see about that! Nidoking! Blastoise!" Gary cried out as he brought his Pokemon to battle.
"Nido!"
"Blastoise!"
"Let's follow Gary's example! Gyarados!" Misty exclamed bringing her aggressive water type.
"Blazike! Glaceon!" May cried out.
"Steelix! Swampert!" Brock cried out.
"Azumarill! Venomoth!" Tracey cried out.
"Roserade!" Drew exclamed.
"Meganium! Pidgeot!" Rui exclamed.
"Glameow!" Zoey finished. All of the Pokemon stood side by side ready for battle. They all knew Wes and of the plan, so they avoided causing any sign of confusion.
"Men! Attack these children while we go after the other three." J commanded. Her henchmen saluted and brought out a massive number of Golbats, Houndooms, and Sableyes took to battle. J, Dark Raven and Wes all walked away from the battle and began to walk towards Jimmy, Marina and Terry.
"Now, tell me where Raikou is, and I may spare you three." J threatened. The three trainers stood unphased.
"We don't know where Raikou is. And we'll never tell you! Typhlosion!" Jimmy exclamed.
"Typhlosion!"
"We'll help two! Wani-Wani!" Marina cried out, tossing a Pokeball. From the pokeball appeared a massive blue crocodile like Pokemon known as Feraligatr.
"Feraligatr!"
"I guess we'll have to do this the hard way." J smirked. "But first," She said, and swiftly jabbed her knee into Wes's stomach, causing the Orre trainer to lose his breath and collapse. Ash stood in shock as he saw his friend get hurt and collapse. J began to chuckle, and said, "I figured you were with them when I saw your little girlfriend helping. I knew you were still too good to join me for real."
Wes gasped for air as he laid on the floor. Rui turned her view from the battle and saw Wes on the ground. "WES!" She cried out in shock. She tried to run after him, but saw that her Pokemon needed her first. Against her true intentions, she stayed battling.
"56! 72! Bring this traitor to the ship dungeon!" J commanded. Two of her henchmen grabbed Wes by his arms and dragged him back to the ship without any interference. She then turned to Dark Ravenwho had a serious face. "Handle these three, Dark." She commanded.
"Yes Mistress," Ash answered. J began to leave the field while Ash faced off against Jimmy, Marina and Terry's Pokemon. He took out two Pokeballs and called out, "Larvitar! Absol!" summoning his two Pokemon. Scizor was still out of its Pokeball, so it joined its two comrades.
"Any apprentice of J is an enemy of mine! Typhlosion Flamethrower!" Jimmy commanded.
"Wani-Wani! Hydro Pump!" Marina cried out.
"Chu! Thunder!" Terry exclamed.
The three pokemon sent their respective element attacks and the three attacks combined. Ash kept a serious face and called out, "Dodge. Brick Break, Metal Claw, and Rock Smash." Ash's Pokemon all did as they were told. They each dodge the attack and each went to the three Pokemon with a powerful physical attack.
Scizor landed a Brick Break on Typhlosion, Absol used Metal claw on Wani-Wani, and Larvitar landed a powerful Rock Smash on Chu. All three attacks knocked the Pokemon out in one shot, leaving the trainers in shock.
Immediately, a powerful roar sounded off, shocking everybody except J. A lightningbolt flashed and the Pokemon known as Raikou appeared. J smirked and said, "Perfect." She pointed her petrifier at Raikou and fired the blast. However the blast was stopped when a straw hat took the hit. The hat turned to stone and fell to the ground.
J gritted her teeth as she saw that the she failed and Raikou escaped. She looked to see that Terry had tossed the hat. However, her, aswell as everybody elses jaws fell to the ground at what they saw. Terry had a long blonde pony tail that was hidden by the hat. Terry was a girl.
"She's a girl?!" Ash exclamed in shock.
"Yeah, I'm a girl. I'm the girl that's gonna take you guys down!" She exclamed and charged at a shocking speed towards J. J however only smirked and moved out of the way. She stuck out her leg and caused Terry to trip and fall to ground. As Terry tried to get back on her feet, two of J's henchmen grabbed her by her arms and brought her face to face with J.
"Take her to the ship with the traitor. She'll make a fine ransom." Her two henchmen nodded and smacked Terry on the back of her neck, causing Terry to pass out.
As they dragged Terry to the ship, Ash saw that Jimmy and Marina were both in shock. He felt even worse that not only Wes was taken prisoner, but so was an innocent girl. His trance was broken when J spoke, "Since Raikou fled, there is no need for us to stay. Come Raven."
As much as he hated to, all he could answeer was, "Yes, Mistress." Both got on their respective flyers and Ash returned his other Pokemon. They flew back to the ship loading dock and looked down. Many of J's henchmen were caught, but the Ash Fighters had failed to save Wes and Terry. Ash's heart felt at an all time low.
The ship disappeared and all the trainers stared in horror. The most distraught was Rui, who was screaming, "WES!" She fell to her knees and began to cry. All the trainers were also sad that their plan failed. As rui continued to cry, Dawn walked next to her and kneeled down.
"Rui," She began, getting Rui attention. "I know you're sad and worried. I felt the same when Ash was captured, but somehow, I still feel he's alive. I know Wes will be alright, he's like Ash. Strong, caring and high willed. I know they'll both be alright." Dawn smiled the best she could, and managed to convince a small smile out of Rui.
Later that night, On J's ship, both Wes and Terry were in the ships dungeon. Both arms of each were chained and the two hung. While in the dungeon, Wes explained to Terry of the entire situation, of his first meeting with the Ash Fighters, his meeting of J and Ash, who was really Dark Raven in disguise, and his plan to take down J and free Ash.
"And that's about it." Wes finished.
"Wow," Terry answered. Since her hat was turned to stone and left behind, her Pony tail was seen by all. "I'm sorry that it didn't work."
"I'm just sorry you got caught in this. I'm also sorry I couldn't help Ash." Wes returned. Suddenly, the doors to the side opened and J walked in. Wes and Terry snarled at the dark woman as she walked before them. "What do you want J?"
"I've come to give two a heads up." The dark woman answered. "I've already found a number of clients that will pay happily for you Wes. I'm sure many of them want revenge on you for your interference in Orre. As for the girl, I've found someone who will pay handsomely for a small girl to deflower. Have a good night." She finished and left the the dropped his head and could feel that this was the end. Terry felt the same. Both teens felt that there was no way for them to get out of this mess.
A few hours later, both teens still hanged from their chains, waiting for the next morning. "It seems hopeless doesn't it?" Wes asked.
"Yep. I don't see how we can get out of this." Terry answered. Three minutes later, a large blaring sound went through the dungeon and a red light flashed around. Both trainers were in shock and looked around for the source. Even to more shock, the walls in front of them bursted in explosion. The wall crumbled to reveal Dark Raven and his Scizor and Gliscor.
"Ash?!" Wes exclamed in shock. Ash and his two pokemon walked forward before the trainers.
"Scizor, free them with Metal Claw." Ash commanded. Scizor followed and freed the two trainers. Ash helped them up and said, "We need to get you out of here. I have your Pokemon, here." He stated and brought out Terry's and Wes's Pokeballs.
"But Ash –" Wes tried to talk,
But Ash cut him off, "I promised I will never let one of my friends get hurt as long as I'm stuck as J's apprentice. Wes, you are a great friend and I'll never allow myself to let you get hurt." He then truned to Terry who was a little shocked. "Terry, I may not have known you for long, but I know we could have been great friends. Now come on!" He commanded and the two followed.
They ran through the halls of the ship down to the loading dock. Along the way, they faced many on J's henchmen. Ash's Scizor and Glscor easily took care of them as the three trainers ran. They reached the loading dock and Ash recalled his Pokemon and went to the controls. He flipped a few switches and the doors to the floor opened.
"Flygon!" Wes cried out, summoning fis ground/dragon type.
"Fly!"
Wes and Terry mounted on Flygon's back and prepared for take off until… "Get out!" As cried out, shocking the two.
"But Ash, what about you?!" Terry exclamed.
"I'm going to stay here and take down J once and for all!" Ash exclamed, taking off his Dark Raven mask. "I don't care what happens to me, just get out and save yourselves!"
"But Ash, come with us! You finally have a chance to be free!" Wes called out.
"If I leave, J will only come again. She may go farther next time." Ash said, lowering his face. "Look, ll that matters to me is that you guys, everyone that I care about is safe. Now GO!"
Wes and Terry hesitated until the doors began to burst. Wes shut his eyes and called out, "Flygon, go!" Flygon let out a roar and flew out of the ship, with Terry and Wes on it. Ash watched in relief that his friends left until…
"Well, well, well."
Ash turned and saw none other than the woman that destroyed his life: J. "J! It's time to end this!"Ash exclamed, clenching his fists.
"I'm disappointed in you Dark," J began. "I thought you were smarter than that. Oh well, we all make mistakes, and now you'll pay the price!"
"How?!" ash asked sarcastically. "Wes and Terry are gone and we're miles away from Celadon city!"
J then smirked, chuckled and then broke into maniacal laughter. "Did you really think that was the only possible way I had to eliminate you?! Do you want to know the true reason why I had my surgeons operate on you?" She asked, leaving Ash confused. She reached into her pocket and brought out a small controller. "Getting rid of the marks on your face was only a cover up. The true reason was to implant a special probe onto the back of your neck."
Ash was a little taken back. J smirked and continued, "That probe is linked to your nerve system, and by a mere press of a button, I can send a shock through your body worse than anything you've felt before. It will be ten times worse than any electrical attack. However, thanks to my training, you may survive the shock. But I doubt you'll live after a thousand foot drop to the ground."
Ash looked behind himself and saw that the loading deck doors were open. Below was a vast forest that seemed like a long way down. He changed his view back to J who was holding up the remote and smirking. "Goodbey, Dark Raven." J stated and pressed the center button.
Immediately, Ash felt theelctrical energy course through his every herve. He cried out in pain as loud as he possibly could. The pain was unbarable, his nerves, bones and cell were all tortured under the pain. As Ash continued to scream, J only smirked as she tortured the poor boy. After three minutes, J released the button and the pain stopped.
Ash barely had the energy to stand. His vision was blury and his limbs were numb. He saw J begin to walk towards him, but he no longer had the energy to stand. His body collapsed backwards and fell through the opening behind him. Ash began to plumet to the ground to what he believed was the end. Even with his blury vision, Ash could see the doors of the loading dock close.
As he continued to fall, Ash began to think of the life he left behind. 'I guess this is it. At least wes and Terry got away. I guess there's nothing to regret, only the crimes J put me through. Dawn… I'm Sorry.' That was the last he thought.
With the last of his energy, Ash viewed the sky as he came closer and closer to the ground. He then spotted a small green speck. The speck began to get larger and larger, like it was coming towards him. The last he saw was the shape of the figure before all went into darkness.
The end of the Dark Raven saga is comming soon, but not too soon.
Next Chapter: Love's Revival
I thought that it would be a good idea to bring Jimmy, Marina, and Yellow (Or Terry) from the manga and Pokemon Chronicles into the Dark Raven story line.
I've been thinking of new stories to add after Dark Raven is done. There will be a poll on my user file, so please vote. Choices are:
1. Beast Machines NEO: An alternate take on Beast Machines. Instead of Dinobot dying along with the Nemesis, Optimus saves him and he joins the Maximals. When the maximals leave, they did not count on forgetting a stasis pod back on earth. After millions of years alseep, the pod awakens and take the dna of a human, creating Neo. after a few years, Neo rebuilds his stasis pod and flies off to find his true heritage. When he gets to his true world, he will help Optimus and the maximals save their world.
2. Zoids X Era: A new group of Zoid Pilots find a group of ancient warriors. With the help of warriors from the present and past, this new team will stop an ancient evil from rising to power.