The Blade and the Embrace

by galladefenrir44

The adventures of a Gallade named Rick who arrives in the Sinnoh region from the Hoenn region to fulfill his late trainer's dying wish. It also follows the story of a Gardevoir named Alara whose journey start by accident. Their stories will eventually innertwine and they will have to work as a team to succeed in their goals.

10. Chapter 10: Don't Worry

Well here's chapter 10. For all of you don't know, the Q&A counts as 9. Also, thank you all for 1,000 views. I want to do something special for you guys but I have no idea on what to do. So leave me suggestions on PMs and shows some love. Enjoy!

"speech"= talking out loud or conversing

*speech*= thoughts

speech= Pokemon moves

speech= telepathic communication

(Overall POV)

Alara woke up and lifted her chest until she sat up. She was sore and her joints crack at every little movement, no pain but still with a little discomfort. She opened her still tired eyes and saw Amber sleeping tight and Serenity was knocked out in a sleeping bag next to a fire. She looked near the fire to see Rick, wide awake and boiling something. He then looked back at Alara and smiled before standing up with a cup and walking over to her.

"Good morning. Slept well?"

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes before answering him, "Yes actually. Thanks for everything."

"Good to hear and you're welcome." He knelt down in front of her and then handed her the cup that was in his hand, which she just stared at apprehensively. He chuckled, "It's okay. It's just tea to help you feel better. Don't worry."

She reached out for the cup and took it, it was warm and the tea had a very sweet smell to it. She didn't drink it, she only looked at it and then looked at Rick who was still knelt down in front of her just chuckling.

"It's not going to kill you. Plus, it tastes good, it's made out of Oran Berries. Watch out it's still hot."

With that she sighed and sipped a bit of the tea before flinching, "Ow!" She scalded her lip slightly.

"Blow it first, I told you it was hot."

She then blew into the tea and then drank a bit of it. She smiled as the warmth filled her and it tasted delicious. She then chugged the entire thing down in a few seconds. Rick then took the empty cup from her.

"You sure were thirsty, weren't you?"

"Looks like our little fight last night took more out of me than I thought. Thanks for everything, I'm sorry I snapped on you yesterday."

Rick smiled at her again, "It's all good. I'm sorry for taunting you but I haven't had that much fun in a long time."

She then grabbed the folded scarf from the floor and handed it over to him, "Here, thanks for letting me use it. It was really nice."

Rick then stood up, "Throw it in the air."

She rose an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Just trust me, you're going to see something interesting."

With that she threw it in the air where it stopped in midair, that surprised her as neither of them were using Psychic on it. She then heard what sounded like a snarl coming from the scarf and then it bolted towards Rick and wrapped itself around his neck. The scarf then came to rest on his neck and its tail waved like fire, the ends floating and disappearing into thin air.

"Looks like you're still awake there Chaos."

Rick then looked at Alara who was clinging against the cave wall with eyes full of fear.

"Are you okay?"

"What is that thing?"

"It's called a Chaos Scarf. It was a gift."

"From who!? She yelled while being careful not to wake up the other girls.

"I can't say but that's not important. Don't worry, it's harmless...well unless I don't give you permission to use it."

She sweatdropped, "What happens if I don't have your permission?"

"Oh, it'll try to kill you."

Her eyes shot open, "And it doesn't try to kill you?"

"It recognizes me as its master. I can call it back from anywhere and it listens to everything I say. You guys are in no danger around it."

"Is that true? So I can touch it right now and it won't rip me to shreds?"

"Nope. Go ahead."

Rick then held his hand out to her, which she reluctantly took and he helped her up. She then inched her hand closer to the tail of the scarf but quickly retracted her hand in fear.

"Don't worry, I'm here. I won't let it hurt you."

With that she reached her hand out to it again and touched the tail and held it for a few seconds. She was confused, it looked like the end was blood red fire but it didn't burn. Then Rick whispered, "Go to sleep Chaos." Immediately the flame like tail died down and it stopped floating, returning to it's appearance as a torn scarf and not as a demon flame.

"I'm still curious on how you obtained this thing?"

Rick laughed slightly, "Doing a lot of favors."

All of the sudden a ringing came out of nowhere. Rick looked at his Poketch but it wasn't the source. Then Alara took a purple Poketch from her bag and answered the video call.

"Hi mom!"

"Hi dear! How have you and Amber been?"

"We're okay. Things are fine right now."

"Did you find something to bring back?"

"As a matter of fact I did?"

Rick then spoke out, "I'd say you did?"

Alara looked at him and he had one of the Dawn Stones in his hands and examining it.

"Who's that Ally?"

"First, don't call me that mom. Also, that's Rick, he's a Gallade that actually rescued me and Amber here at Mt. Coronet. He's actually helping me get out so I can go home. Also, he's not from the Sanctuary."

"He's not? Turn the Poketch around so I can see him."

"No need miss. I'll just walk over." Rick then stood next to Alara so her mom could see him. "Hello there my lady. My name is Rick, I'm charmed to meet you."

"Oh my Alara you snagged a cute one."

"Mom!" She yelled with an embarrassed look on her face. Rick just chuckled.

"I'm just joking. Thank you for saving my daughter. I really appreciate it."

Rick bowed his head in affirmation, "It's my pleasure."

Alara's mom laughed and then said, "Well more her pleasure, I'd reckon."

"MOM!" Alara yelled with a deep red blush and a vein on her head.

"Sorry, but is the first time I've seen you with a male without knocking him into a lake or beating the living hell out of them."

Rick then looked at Alara and said, "Wow you don't only do that to me?"

Alara's mom seemed to have heard that and said, "Well looks like I'm half right. But you seem fine."

"Rick is...complicated. He's tougher and stronger than he looks."

"I should tell your father this."

"Don't you dare!" Alara said with a harsh tone in her voice.

"And who's going to stop me?"

"Mom just do me a solid and keep your mouth shut."

Her mom sighed, "Fine I will, but you better bring him for your father to see."

"If I don't want you to tell him, what makes you think that I want him to see him?"

"Do you have something to hide?"

"No."

"Then this shouldn't be a problem now. Can I talk to Rick in private?"

"Why?"

"I need to ask him something."

Alara then handed Rick the Poketch and walked away to wake Amber and Serenity up. It was surprising that her yelling didn't wake them up.

"Yes miss. You wanted to speak with me? If it's about me and your daughter, then don't worry there's nothing between us."

"Yes I know, I was only joking. I just need to know, are you a Gallade of honor and integrity?"

"Of course. Why?"

"I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"You see, my daughter is not just any female in the Sanctuary."

"She's the daughter of the leader there, isn't she?"

She immediately looked surprised, "No... I mean yes, did she tell you?"

"Not at all. I deduced it by just the way she is."

"Oh you're good. But that's not why I wanted to talk to you. I want my daughters home safe, Alara and Amber. I want you to bring them here safely."

Rick didn't respond and he sighed.

"I know this is inconvenient but a mother's pain is something I don't want to go through yet. I need you to give me your word as a Gallade that you will bring them back to me in one piece."

Rick was reluctant to say the least, he didn't want to do it but he didn't want to see a mother sad. Rick then made a decision, "You have my word."

"Thank you so much. You don't know how much this means to me. Thank you!"

"I'll be giving you back to Alara now."

She nodded and Rick walked over to Alara how was helping Amber wake up. He then handed the Poketch over and walked to a rock and sat to think.

*Great my impulse to preserve honor has gotten the best of me again. I guess it's for the best, but is it right?...A mother's pain, huh? I don't know how that even looks like but I know it must feel like hell or worse. Arceus forbid I ever let that happen! Mothers shouldn't lose their kids.*

Rick then snapped back to reality when Serenity nudged him with her nose. He looked down at her and sighed.

"Something wrong Rick?"

"No, I'm just thinking. Nothing to concern yourself with."

"I hope you're right."

With that Rick pet her on the head and walked over to Alara who had just finished her conversation with her mother and Amber had the Poketch and talking to her now. Rick then walked next to Alara and got her attention.

"Yes, Rick?"

"I need to talk to you."

"Privately?"

"No, because this pertains to Amber as well."

"Oh okay, what is it?"

"Your mother made me swear on something."

She then looked at Rick with a curious look on her face, "On what?"

"She wants me to take you to the Sanctuary and to protect you on the way."

"Did she now?" She smiled, "Well I guess you'll finally see your land of origin."

He still couldn't find the resolve to smile back but he nodded and shifted through his bag and handed the girls puffins that Dawn made for him and Serenity. Amber quickly dug into hers and fell in love with the taste immediately. Everyone laughed as she gorged her face into the pink pastry.

Not long after breakfast they got up to leave. Alara was happy that this would be the day that they finally got out of the infernal cave. Amber was riding on her back and talking to her while Rick was explaining to Serenity the exercises that will teach her to fire any aura based physical attack.

"All you have to do is concentrate the energy and let it go at the same time you release your hold on it. Does that make sense?"

She nodded, "I think it does."

"Then practice it whenever you get the chance."

"Aye! You got it!"

It took them about another two hours before seeing the exit, even though it was still quite a walk away from their location. Amber couldn't help but hop off Alara's back and hop on every rock that was on her way.

Rick was actually getting worried with her hopping about, "Amber be careful, in these caves not every rock is what they seem to be."

"Oh don't worry so much Rick. I think I would know a real rock from a fake one."

"That's not what I mean."

Before he could explain it to her she hopped on a rock that immediately moved and lifted itself and Amber up. It was a Graveler and by the looks of it it was pretty angry. It then lifted it's four arms to crush the rabbit on his head. Unfortunately Amber was too far away to jet over and grab her instantly so Rick did what he never though he would do in a while.

"Chaos wake up and bring me the Lopunny!" With that his scarf took the look of fire again and a figure that resembled a snake lunged itself towards Amber and grabbed her before the Graveler could crush her. The snake then put Amber in Rick's arms and he then handed her over to Alara.

Alara was pretty irritated with Amber, "It's always you! The last thing we need are his friends."

To her horror the Graveler let our a roar and hundreds of rocks around them came to life and they all seemed to be pretty furious with the four intruders. They inched closer but the Chaos Scarf woke itself up and turned into a snake head again and hissed at the approaching Gravelers and made them step back.

"Thanks Chaos!"

Serenity then hid behind Rick but she immediately noticed that she wasn't safe anywhere and leaned on Rick's leg. Suddenly she fell when she couldn't feel Rick's leg anymore, this also got the attention of the other girls. They looked for Rick and then they heard the roaring stop and they saw that Rick had knocked out the roaring Graveler with a Focus Punch.

"Girls move now!"

"What?"

"I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU AGAIN, HURRY!" He yelled at them and then they hauled ass out of there.

Alara then told Rick, "You do realize that they're everywhere, right?"

"Yeah, you guys run and I'll cut them down."

Rick's blades then began to glow green and Alara recognized it as Leaf Blade. She then put Amber on her back and ran behind Rick who was slashing down numerous Gravelers until a clearing was present. She then stopped and put Amber down and looked at the Gravelers chasing them.

Rick then ran back to her and grabbed her shoulder, "What are you doing? Let's go!"

"I have an idea."

Rick looked at her pretty irritated and sighed, "It better be good."

Alara then lifted her hand to eye level and formed a ball of energy. She then slammed it on the ground and a loud crash was heard that stopped the Gravelers. Everyone waited for something to happen and the Gravelers were looking around and each other, but nothing happened.

Rick then sweatdropped and facepalmed, "You're useless."

"Oh shut up! I don't know what happened."

Immediately the Gravelers began their assault again but the moment one of them moved forward the ground caved in on them.

"See? I'm never useless."

"I take it back then, well if you can stopped them from climbing back up."

"WHAT!?"

She then looked down the chasm she created and saw that the Gravelers were indeed climbing back up and she backed up in fear.

"What do we do, what do we do!?"

"Well we could always run, the exit's right there. But I'd rather make sure these guys leave us alone."

"And how do you suppose we do that?"

Rick sighed, "Chaos knock down the closest ones to the top" With that his scarf came back to life and took the appearance of a dragon's head and charged multiple Gravelers and slammed them to the bottom of the chasm. "Serenity use Water Pulse and fill this chasm with water." Serenity did what she was told and fired a large amount of water down the hole. "Amber freeze the water." Amber then fired at the water turning it into an ice field. All the Gravelers were frozen in place. "We should go. That's only going to hold them for about two hours."

With that they ran towards the exit where they knew they were safe. The happiest people were Amber and Alara since they started dancing with eachother.

"Now girls don't go celebrating just yet. I still need to get you guys home, now show me where it's at on my map."

Alara then left Amber with Serenity and walked to Rick who had his map app out. She then pointed to an area south of Route 212.

*You've got to be kidding me* "How long did it take you two to get here?"

"A week but that's because we actually got a lift from an Altaria that took us to Solaceon Town."

Rick sighed, "So how long do you think this journey can be?"

"Two weeks, maybe 16 days."

"Well we have a lot of walking to do. Let's get going then."

She nodded and motioned Amber and Serenity that we were leaving. They quickly ran over to Rick and Alara with Amber jumping on her back and Serenity walking next to Rick.

"Okay according to my map there's a town down this route that should give us a chance to restock on supplies."

Alara looked at him confused, "How are they going to sell anything to a pokemon?"

"Don't worry about that, leave it to me."

They kept walking until they reached a grassy field which had a rock wall on the north side. It seemed quiet and still so they decided to rest for a bit after their little run in the cave. Rick then sat down on a rock and pulled a brown cube from his bag and decompressed it and reveled a guitar.

Serenity looked at him and said, "So you have a guitar now? How many instruments do you have in that bag?"

Rick didn't reply but started playing (Here would be a great time to play Going Home by Shiro Sagisu). The girls then sat down and ate while listening to the soothing music that Rick was playing for them. The song wasn't long but it was enjoyable to the girls. Rick had his eyes closed the entire time and then he suddenly stopped and looked behind him.

Serenity asked him, "What is it?"

"Nothing I just thought that I sensed something familiar."

"Is it something we should be worried about?"

"Nope...actually get over to Alara and Amber and hide."

With that Rick put the guitar away and walked a few steps away from the girls and looked at the rock wall and the short cliffs that were on it. He was trying to find out where he sensed a presence but he couldn't pinpoint it. Suddenly a Serviper lunged at him but he smacked it away but it just came back towards him with its mouth wide open. Rick grabbed it jaws and held it there trying to gain dominance over it, but just then he heard a laugh and clapping. He looked up to see a guy with a red bandanna on, red spiky hair, and a black shirt with a bright red R on it.

*Fuck! What the hell is Team Rocket doing in Sinnoh!?*

The man then spoke, "Bravo! Nice defenses for a Gallade. You'll make a great gift to my leader Giovanni."

When Rick heard that he slammed the Serviper's mouth shut and threw him at the trainer who grunted in pain when the snake landed on him. "Ow! Damn it! Serviper get off of me and use Poison Tail. The Serviper then lunged down towards Rick while swinging its glowing tail at him. Rick then fired a Psycho Cut at it which hit it on the head, throwing it off balance. It's tail hit the ground and then Rick grabbed it and slammed its head into the rock wall, cratering it. He then proceeded to beat it with Focus Punches and with the last one the wall collapsed onto it, rendering immobile.

The Rocket member then tried to recall his Serviper but the pokeball wouldn't work on it. He then looked shocked at what he saw. "Did you just kill my Serviper?" Rick answered by drawing his blades and walking towards the Rocket member.

All of a sudden Rick heard a voice in his head, "Rick! What are you doing!?" He recognized it as Alara's voice.

"This is a Team Rocket member. They're a criminal organization that steal pokemon for their goal of world domination. When I see a member I usually go for a kill."

"But why?"

"Alara! I do this out of revenge and honor."

"Revenge for what?"

"...They killed my family! So I erase them from their worthless existences! For my family's sake."

"...Rick..."

"Their pokemon are just as twisted as they are. So I put them out of their misery as well. I don't like to do it but I can't help it."

"Look out!"

Rick then looked back at the Rocket member and he felt something pounce on him and pin him to the ground. He looked up and saw a Mightyena on his chest snarling at him.

"Good girl Mightyena, now Bite his head clean off." The Mightyena then lifted its head and showed Rick its teeth before barring down on him but then it got tackled to the ground by a obviously mad Serenity.

Rick was surprised at Serenity's sudden outburst and the fact that she was snarling at the Mightyena and sizing it up. The Mightyena was doing the same and both of them were circling each other. Serenity was slightly taller but she was not an adult yet and the Mightyena seemed larger than her though, but she didn't back down.

Suddenly they both charged each other and Serenity managed to bite down on the Mightyena's neck and slammed it to the ground. The Mightyena then bore its claws onto Serenity's face, forcing her to let go of its neck. The Mightyena then headbutted her and Sucker Punched her, but Serenity then shook it off and hit the Mightyena with a Night Slash.

Rick quickly told Serenity, "Why aren't you hiding? Oh screw it then! I'm going to tell you this now, you Dark types are not weak against many things so try to use something that isn't Ghost or Psychic type moves. Don't hold back, kill that thing."

Serenity then nodded and pounced on the Mightyena and they both rolled on the ground and exchanged attacks. Serenity then took her training and started using it by dodging every attack the Mightyena dished out and landing hits on it.

Rick looked at the fight but turned his attention to the grunt who threw a pokeball into the air and an Infernape came out. The Infernape seemed like it has been in a lot of battles and it had the scars to prove it. It was larger than Rick and it immediately tried to hit Rick with multiple Fire Punches that Rick blocked and then countered one. The hit from Rick made the Infernape stagger back and then it composed itself and howled.

"You have no idea what you're fighting here. This is my strongest pokemon and it is a veteran fighter. I'd like to see you beat it."

Rick then took his battle stance and waited for the Infernape to make a move, which it quickly did by charging at Rick and the two got into a power struggle. Rick then back-flipped and kicked the Infernape in the jaw, but the Infernape was still holding on to his arms and slammed him to the ground and threw him to the rock wall. It then Mach Punched him into the wall, which cratered him about a foot. Rick then slumped out of the crater in disbelief that the Mach Punch did that much damage. He held his gut and stood up to only to barely dodge a Flamethrower. He then fired two Psycho Cuts at the Infernape which made it fall to the ground in pain.

"Infernape get up and kill that Gallade or injure it enough so I can catch it." The Infernape only looked at the grunt with squinted eyes and a growl. The grunt then pulled out a whip and whipped the Infernape that howled in pain. It then charged at Rick with a Focus Punch and Rick clashed it with another Focus Punch. One again they got into a power struggle but this time with their fists and Rick could feel himself getting dragged through the floor. This Infernape was stronger than he thought and he was having a hard time trying to keep up with it.

Alara and Amber were watching the fight from inside a bush that was nearby and they saw Serenity dominating and Rick struggling. Their attention immediately switched to Serenity's fight with the Mightyena and they saw Serenity hitting it with a Water Pulse and making it crack the rock wall.

Serenity looked at the crack she made with the Mightyena and a plan came to her head. She then ran towards that Mightyena and jumped on its head and hit the crack above with a her horn and it started to crack until rocks began to fall. She immediately dislodged herself from the wall and jumped into the clear. The Mightyena regain its composure until it felt a rock hit her head, and she then looked up to see the rock wall crumbling. It then tried to jump out of the way but Serenity hit it back to the wall with her bladed tail, also slashing her abdomen open. As the Mightyena hit the wall again the wall finally came down onto the Mightyena and crushed it.

Serenity then heard a voice in his head, it was Rick, "A little bit of overkill there deary. But you got the job done. Congrats on your first true victory in battle. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to kill the crap out of this overgrown flaming monkey that I don't think is battling on its own free will."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because why would a trainer need a whip to control their pokemon and why would a pokemon be apprehensive about battling another pokemon. This pokemon was obviously stolen not earned."

"So what are we going to do?"

"Well I'm going to try to not kill this Infernape and the grunt just told it to use Mach Punch...dodge it!"

"Wait, wa..."

She was interrupted by a fist hitting her clear across her face and knocking her unconscious on the ground. Rick then tried to attack the Infernape but it kicked him out of the way.

"Nice job Infernape. Now kill that Absol with a Focus Punch clear on the temple. The Infernape didn't move but tried to walk away but the grunt whipped it into submission until it made its fist glow with the Focus Punch. Rick could barely hear it whisper to Serenity, "I'm sorry." Rick then lunged at it to save Serenity but the Infernape then kicked Rick clear in the center of the face, knocking him back and disorienting him. He then tried to lunge again at the Infernape but his limbs wouldn't move. He looked at them and noticed that they were bound to the ground, Rick immediately recognized it as Grass Knot and he tried to free himself desperately. The Infernape closed its eyes as it brought its fist down on Serenity only to have it stop in mid-motion with a purple aura around it. Alara then came out of the bush with her eye glowing, indicating that she was using Psychic.

"Alara, what are you doing? I told you to hide."

"Well, you're in no shape to protect Serenity. So I had no choice but to get into the battle."

"Well help me out of this Grass Knot."

With that Alara fired a Thunderbolt at the knot on Rick's right arm and he then cut himself free. He then grabbed the Infernape's still suspended arm and threw it a few feet away.

"Alara don't kill the Infernape. It's not doing this on its own free will."

"What do you mean?"

"I can sense that it was probably stolen by that Rocket member. So we have to get rid of the Rocket member without harming the Infernape."

"Can't you just attack the grunt?"

"No, I psychically scanned his mind and he has a shielding unit that works like a mirror shield. It's well hidden and I didn't pick it up earlier. Also, my physical attacks may be a bit to slow and he might have enough reaction time."

"How do you break all this down?"

"Training, that's all I have to say."

All of the sudden they heard the trainer, "Well looks like there's more of you. A Gardevoir huh? Hmmm who to take? Let's see how many pokeballs I have." The grunt then checked his bag and brought an odd looking ball from the bag. "Well looks like I only have one, a Rocket grade Master Ball. I can only take one of you. Who to choose: the Absol, the Gallade, or the Gardevoir?

"Rick, any ideas?"

"That depends, is the sun hitting me?"

"Yes."

"Damn it! The Chaos Scarf won't awaken if it's being touched by sunlight."

"Well that's a major drawback, isn't it?"

"True but I don't use it that much to begin with."

"Well looks like I have to do this."

She arched an eyebrow, "Do what?"

Rick then charged forward and tried to slash the grunt only to have the grunt scream a command, "Infernape use Blast Burn on the Gallade."

The Infernape sighed and quickly charged and fired a cannon of fire at Rick. Amazingly, Rick didn't try to dodge the attack but blocked the attack so it didn't do a lot of damage. The blow sent him flying and he landed near Alara who quickly ran towards him and knelt down to see if he was still conscious. After a little bit of shaking him and no response she stopped trying and looked at the grunt who was laughing like a maniac.

"Well looks like your boyfriend and your little friend are down for the count there."

Alara didn't even try to respond all she could do was have a vein swell on her head and her eye twitching in anger because of his comment.

"Oh well, I guess I'll just take you since you're still pretty health."

*WHAT!? He doesn't want the two that actually gave him a fight?*

"Oh well welcome to Team Rocket!"

With that he threw the ball at Alara and she then yelled before the ball could hit her. All of the sudden Rick shot himself off the ground, pushed Alara out of the way, and took the hit of the ball. Serenity woke up at that moment to see Rick being sucked into the ball, all she did was smile because she knew it wouldn't work on him. The ball then fell to the ground and shook three times and stopped. When the ball stopped everyone held their breaths, even Amber who was still watching from the bush. The ball remained motionless and the rocket grunt began to laugh.

"It wasn't my initial pick but he is the strongest. So I guess he'll do."

Then a beeping sound came from the ball, a blue light appeared on the center, and then a voice followed it.

"WARNING! THE SUBJECT WITHIN THE POKEBALL IS ALREADY OWNED. WARNING! THE SUBJECT WITHIN THE POKEBALL IS DAMAGING THE POKEBALL'S FOUNDATIONS, RECOMMENDING THE RELEASE OF THE POKEMON IMMEDIATELY. WARNING! CAPSULE DAMAGE CRITICAL, THE POKEBALL HAS BEEN RENDERED USELESS."

Suddenly the Masterball was sliced open and a shot of white light appeared from the ball into the air and Rick materialized with his blades drawn and in front of the grunt smiling fiendishly.

"Why hello there."

"Y...yo...you can talk?"

"In your head, yes. Physically, no. Now then, it has been nice chatting with you but it's time to die."

"Infernape use Blast Burn!" He yelled out in fear.

The Infernape just stood there and crossed its arms.

The grunt then glared at the Infernape, "Damn it! Don't you ignore me!" He then whipped out his whip and snapped it at the Infernape, but Rick caught it as it snapped forward. He then wrapped it around the grunt's neck and threw him at the Infernape's feet while still holding onto the grip.

"Hey Infernape, why not take a few revenge punches? It'll feel great."

The Infernape smiled and nodded at Rick. He then proceeded to beat the living hell out of the grunt before Rick pulled him back and kicked him back to the Infernape, who took more punches. They repeat this process another ten times before Rick pulled the grunt back and the whip broke. The grunt then grabbed the Chaos Scarf from Rick's neck and fell on the ground a few feet away from Rick. Rick then walked towards the guard with his blades drawn but then the grunt stood up and flashed a handgun at Rick. Rick seemed unfazed and unafraid of the firearm in the grunt's hand.

"What's this? You guys upgraded to guns now?"

Rick then heard Alara in his head, "Rick watch out!"

"I noticed, thanks Alara!"

"You thought that you could fight Team Rocket and win?" Rick nodded.

"I've done it before."

"Before not now. I'm to love killing you for this." He then tried to stand with the gun pointed at Rick, but he then fell back and rolled into a shaded area. Rick looked at the grunt's left hand and noticed that he still had the Chaos Scarf in it. Rick then started to laugh silently and smiled with his teeth showing.

"What's with the stupid grin on your face? Did you make your peace?"

"Nope, you made the biggest mistake of your life." Rick then made the "bye bye" motion with his right hand. "Bye bye now."

The grunt was confused and then he heard a hiss coming from his left hand. He looked to see the Chaos Scarf awake and in the form of a snake's head brandishing fangs and letting out a loud hiss. The grunt then shot at the Chaos Scarf with no effect and then the Chaos Scarf wrapped itself around his neck and lifted himself up, along with the grunt, hanging him.

Rick then turned from the sight and proceeded to walk away. All of the sudden another shot rang out, the grunt succeeded to shoot at Rick before he died at the hands of the Chaos Scarf. Rick then fell on the floor and the Chaos Scarf then slammed the grunt's lifeless body to the floor and made the rock wall fall on the body. It then darted towards Rick and wrapped itself around his neck once more.

Alara and Serenity quickly ran towards Rick and checked on him. Amber then ran over with the first aid kit and the Infernape following. Alara then turned Rick over and noticed that the bullet hit his right shoulder and went out the other side. He was still conscious and cringing in pain, he then held his shoulder and tried to stand, but then had Alara holding him down.

"Don't move you idiot!"

"I'll be fine...ow..."

"It may not be life threatening, but you still shouldn't move so we can patch you up and to stop the blood from flowing."

Amber then cleaned the wound with alcohol, making Rick cringe in pain, and she then put a large linen bandage on each side of his shoulder. Quickly, Alara and Serenity hugged him, which made his sweatdrop.

"Umm you're embracing me. I understand Serenity, but why you Alara?"

Alara then let him go and glared at him before hitting him over the head.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"For taking the risky way out! You knew about the gun but you got careless around it."

"Now listen, I can't plan out when they pull a trigger. I can only expect the best and prepare for the worst."

"You irritate me so much."

"Wow and this morning we were getting along. What happened to that?"

"I'm not about to argue with you!"

Amber then yelled out, "Enough! Both of you!"

Rick then tried to stand up again and then felt a pain in his left leg that made him sit again. He then looked at where his leg was and realized that he had landed on a rock when he fell.

"Well, my luck just gets worse."

Alara then helped him up and put his arm around her shoulder and helped him walk. Rick was surprised that she could support him and didn't say anything other than a few pain sounds every now and then. The Infernape the walked towards Rick and Alara and finally spoke to them.

"I'm sorry for putting you through this."

Alara then responded, "It's okay. It wasn't your fault."

Rick then spoke out, "It wasn't your choice. I had to kill that grunt to free you. Now you can go back home."

"Thank you. My colony will be glad to have me back. My name is Saul. Pleased to meet you and thank you. That grunt stole me from my home and my mate about a month ago and kept me in check with that whip."

"You don't need to thank me. I have to defend others, it's what we Gallades do. Now head home. Go back to your family."

The Infernape then nodded and climbed the rock wall and disappeared into the mountains. Rick then tried to walk on his own but fell quickly. Alara then picked him up again and kept scolding him.

"You know you're still hurt. I have no idea why you're trying to walk on your own."

"I appreciate what you're doing but you don't have to do it."

"Well you save all of us, I might as well help you in return."

Rick didn't respond he just let out a short breath from his mouth and started to walk down the path with Alara and the other girls. Suddenly they heard laughter and clapping coming from the path ahead of them.

"Well looks like trouble keeps finding Rick. How unfortunate but expected. I have to stop finding you like this Rick!"

Rick then looked with his jaw dropped and a look of surprise. He then whispered, "Oh hell no."

The girls then looked at the horizon only to see a Blaziken walking towards then and he then stopped and crossed his arms with a smirk on his face. Rick shook his head when he was staring Jean in the face after two years.

Jean then gave a hearty laugh and spoke, "It's great to see you again you son of a bitch! How have you been!?"

It was silent for a moment until Rick said, "Leave!"

Wow this one was a pain to write. I re-wrote it about 3 times and finally came to a good ending. Oh well show some love and leave me questions for the next Q&A. Peace out!