*~~*Chapter 7: Kidnapped?!: Kotone's Viewpoint*~~*
I watched with confusion as Silver's face fell and his mouth dropped open. "V-v-visit you?! What the heck are you talking about, Kotone!? I came all the way from your stupid hometown to save your kidnapped behind, not to visit you!"
I broke away and cocked my head at his sudden change in behavior. One minute, you act pretty sweet to me...then you're yelling again! You're so confusing! "...Save me? Why would you need to save me? They've been so kind to me! You of all people should know that!"
"Do you hear what you're saying?!" He grabbed my shoulders and started to violently shake me. "You! Were! Kidnapped! By! Team! Rocket! These people stole you! You can't be serious!" I pulled away and took a few steps back, utterly dumbfounded by his aggression.
"Of course I'm serious! I'm the Queen of Team Rocket, Silver! I don't understand why you keep going on about being kidnapped!" Ralts suddenly fainted behind me, but I was too absorbed in what Silver was saying to care. "I think you've gone crazy!"
"No, Kotone! You've gone crazy!" He suddenly pulled out a white belt with six Pokéballs clipped to it from under his jacket. "Do you recognize this?!"
I raised an eyebrow at him and shook my head. "I didn't realize your Pokéballs were so girly, Silver! Does white even match your clothes?"
"Answer the question, Kotone! Answer the question!" I flinched as I saw what looked like tears in his eyes.
"Of course I do. I recognize your stupid belt, O.K? Happy?" I crossed my arms and scowled as he growled at me.
"My belt?! How could you think this is my belt?! It's your belt, idiot!" He started to unclip the Pokéballs, handing me one with a sticker in the shape of a small fire above the summon button. "What's in this Pokéball, Kotone?! Tell me!"
I slowly turned it over in my hands, analyzing it carefully. It's familiar, no doubt about that... I feel like I should know this. Suddenly, the ball burst open in a flash of red light; a Typhlosion suddenly grabbed me roughly and pulled me into its stomach.
"Tyty! Phlo Phlo!" It started to nuzzle my cheek as I fought for fresh air.
"Control your Pokémon, Silver! I can't breathe!" I finally managed to push my head above the strong arms and glare at Silver, upset that he let his Pokémon run amuck. The Typhlosion released me and stared at me in shock, obviously hurt by...something.
Silver stood there for a while, shaking slightly before looking up at me in utter terror. "Kotone... This isn't funny! Stop messing around! You know this dumb oaf isn't mine!
"I'm not messing around! I don't understand why you're acting so strange! How am I supposed to know this dumb creature?!" I stuck my index finger into the Typhlosion's gut while it let out a roar. It tried to grab my arm, but I pulled away before it had the chance.
"Dumb creature?!" He shook his head violently before stomping his right foot. "It's Blitz, you idiot! Your starter! Don't you remember?! What did they do to you?!" He pulled my left arm and glared as a tear streaked down his cheek. "What happened to you?!"
"I'm fine, you're the one acting so strange! You keep asking me stupid questions and acting so violent! Save the rage for your next mission, alright?! I don't appreciate being treated like this!"
"...M-mission?! What are you—" His grip on my arm loosened, allowing me to free myself from his grasp.
"You know, your next assignment?! Your one of Team Rocket's best operatives, my most trusted executive and the son of Giovanni! You're like, my most trusted adviser! Even Proton is below you!" I poked his nose as I grinned, hoping he was just testing my loyalty. Very funny, Silver. Very funny! Like I would turn to the side of weaklings! I have an organization to run!
"...Kotone..." He slowly released his grip and stared at the floor, his shoulders shaking. I cocked my head and placed my right hand on his shoulder, hoping I didn't fail his exam. "...What did they do to you?"
What is he talking about?! He's making me feel so stupid right now! I can't figure out this game of his! "Silver...did I say something wrong?"
*~~*Silver's Viewpoint*~~*
What did he do to you?! My head throbbed as I stood there, staring at the wooden floor under my feet. This isn't making any sense! It's like you've been...no. No! They couldn't have! Last time they tried it, it wore off in five minutes! They couldn't have actually...! "Kotone...I'm going to ask you another question...and I want you to think hard about this and answer as best as you can." I slowly lifted my head to see her frowning at me, her eyes narrow. I stared into her eyes for a while as she waited. It looks...off. They almost look...pinkish.
"Go on..." She cocked her head in anticipation.
"...What happened at the Radio Tower?" This was it, the one thing she'd never forget. The one thing that she never wanted to be brought up. She had to know this, she had to.
"...Well," She removed her hand from my shoulder as she thought. "We sent all of our executives to the Tower in an effort to contact Giovanni; this was back when I was an apprentice to Proton and you were against us—so happy that's over by the way. We were just about to start the message when a raven-haired boy walked in wearing a Team Rocket uniform and," I cut her off, utterly shocked by the lies she was spewing.
"'A raven-haired boy'?! His name is Ethan Gold and he—" She waved her hand to silence me as she continued with her twisted testimony.
"Yeah, that's his name. I knew it was something stupid. Well anyway, he went up to the guard at the stairs and said he was a new recruit—I remember thinking that it was weird because I already met the orange-haired boy who was supposed to meet us there—and tried to get past the guard. Then you burst in, fuming how you're gonna stop us and stuff when you spy the boy out of the corner of your eye. You turn to him and yell that you know him and that he'd better take that costume off or else and then—" I grabbed her shoulders and shook her again as she slammed her eyes shut and winced, desperate to find some of the real Kotone in there.
"THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN! You snuck into the Radio Tower and tried to get past the guard when I came in and—" I stopped for a moment, unsure if I should continue. She slowly opened her eyes and raised an eyebrow questioningly. I sighed. I have to do this... this might just work. "And I yelled at you, claiming that you couldn't be one of them and that you were stronger than them. Then I yelled that you had better take that ridiculous outfit off, otherwise I would make you...You refused and I...I..."
"Go on..." She blinked as I grew red, embarrassed by my own foolishness.
"I grabbed you by the shoulders, ripped your costume off in a fit of rage and stormed off, leaving you in your undershirt and a pair of shorts!" I watched as her face grew probably as red as my own and she shook her head furiously. I released my grip and turned away, unable to think of anything else to say.
"GHAH!" I spun around at the scream; Kotone was grabbing her head and bent over in obvious pain. Before I could do anything, she stood up straight and glared at me with her vibrant hazel eyes. Wait...how'd her eyes get so bright again?! "I can't believe you keep bringing that up! What's wrong with just leaving it behind us, Silver?!"
"Kotone...?" I blinked as she clenched her fists and then turned towards the now sobbing Typhlosion on the floor.
"Blitz?! What's wrong, buddy? It's O.K! Shhh..." She nuzzled her face into his navy blue fur as he jolted to attention, shocked as much as I was by her strange change in behavior. He stood there for a while before grabbing her in his arms and lifting her in the air. "Woah!" She let out a giggle as they spun around. "I haven't seen you like this since we beat Lance! You're so crazy sometimes, Blitz!"
"Alright...now I'm officially confused." They stopped and stared at me as I pointed at her. "Next question, where are we?"
Her partner slowly lowered her to her feet as she looked at me with utter confusion. "Question? Uhhh..." She looked around for a moment before shrugging her shoulders at me. "I have no idea where we are...or how I got here...last thing I remember was seeing a giant painting of Giovanni and then this talking Persian...and then Proton..." Her eyes grew wide as she mentioned Proton's name. "He sent out this Hypno, it waved its little pendulum back and forth and then I blacked out!"
"...Then they've learned how to hypnotize people effectively then. That's just wonderful. That means that—Owch!" I suddenly felt a sharp stab in my ankles and I bolted my attention to the floor to find a Espeon and Umbreon biting my ankles, their eyes furious slits. "Let go you little—"
"Oh, how cute~!" Kotone simply scooped them into her arms and started cooing at them, their faces in obvious shock. "You two are just so adorable~! But don't go biting my Silvy, that's not nice at all!"
"Wait, your Silvy?! What are saying!?" I felt my face burn as she continued babying the little monsters, unaware of my protests. Wait...RALTS!
I turned to find little Ralts back on his feet—although he was obviously shaken. "Ralts! You alright little guy?" I patted his head as he tugged on my pant leg, asking to be picked up. I gave in to his whim and he buried his face into my jacket and started mumbling. "I can't understand you when you talk into my jacket, Ralts."
"They've hyp-no-tized Ms. Kotone! I could tell by her thoughts! It's almost like there's two of her in there!" He pointed to Kotone, still busy suffocating the poor Pokemon with affection as they yowled in confusion. "She needs help!"
"What?! What am I supposed to do, take her to Nurse Joy and say, 'Hey Miss! My rival's been hypnotized into thinking she's the Queen of Team Rocket! Could ya' fix her for me'?!" He giggled as he nodded. I just let out a sigh and slowly analyzed Kotone's condition.
Sure, I could take her into town...if I wanted people to think she walked out of a costume shop! She looked utterly ridiculous with all that make-up on, and that wig... I shuddered involuntarily at the mint green mass on her head. Never knew I would miss her stupid pigtails and overalls so much... I slowly let my gaze fall to the gown's skirt and choked, my eyes nearly bulging out of my skull. Her dress had a huge split that went right between her legs, exposing almost all of her narrow legs—which were thankfully covered with white tights—to the open air. I swear, I'll kill Proton with my bare hands! I'll kill him, I'll kill him, I'll kill him! It was then I noticed a black belt of Pokéballs hanging crookedly across her hips. What the...? Where'd she get those from?
"Kotone, why do you have those?" I pointed to the belt, as she snapped out of her trance and blinked at me.
"Have what? These little cuties?" I shook my head and jabbed the air.
"No, the belt. Where'd you get that?" She looked down to her waist as I sighed. "No, it's under your dress, idiot!" I looked away as she let the Pokémon hop to the floor as she pulled the skirt of her dress aside, revealing the belt. I glanced back to see her holding the belt in her hands, her eyes wide and face slightly pink—although I'm sure it was burning red under all of that make-up.
"I-I don't know! Maybe if I let one of them out, I'll remember or something..." She gently tossed the second-to-last Pokéball into the air and revealed the long body of a Dragonair. I let my mouth fall open at the sight of the thirty-one foot long Dragon Pokémon wrapping itself around Kotone's thin frame.
"Kotone!" I reached my hand out only to be met with...laughter. Upon closer inspection, the Pokémon was licking her cheek eagerly, revealing a splotch of her skin under her make-up. "What the...?"
"S-stop it! That really tickles! P-Please!" The Pokémon obeyed, slowly uncoiled itself and layed patiently on the floor as if awaiting its next order. "It seems to know me..."
"...Maybe these were Pokémon given to you by Proton. My—" I bit my tounge as I realized what I had almost said. I cleared my throat and continued, "Giovanni had plenty of Pokémon he used to battle with at the old Viridian Gym..." Suddenly, I recalled that I hadn't come here alone. "Crap! I forgot about Green!"
At the mention of the Gym Leader, Kotone perked up. "Green?! What do you mean?! Is he alright—?!"
A sudden, arrogant laugh filled the air, making us spin towards the door in shock. "I'm just fine, Pigtails. Although, I wish I could say the same about the grunts I just took out on my way over. They'll be feeling that for a while!"
"Green~!" Kotone rushed over to the door and tackled the young Gym Leader as he let out another laugh. "It's so good to see you! I thought Silver came here all alone for a while there!"
Stupid Pretty Boy and stupid Pigtails and their stupid friends! I wish I could smash this guy's face in sooo bad right now! I slowly walked over and snorted at the still hugging duo. "I would have if this idiot hadn't begged me to let him tag along! He was practically bawling!" I smirked as his mouth dropped open.
"Why you little! I didn't beg anything! I wanted to make sure you didn't end up in tomorrow's obituaries!" He pushed Kotone aside and strode over to me, bending over and glaring at my face. "You smug little—!"
"Silver! Oh Silver, there you are!" I tilted my head just in time to see Weavile pounce on me, the force of which knocked me over. He nuzzled my cheeks frantically as I quickly closed my arms around him, eager to see him after he disappeared.
"Don't you ever run off like that again, you idiot! You had me worried sick! I swear, if one of those grunts got ahold of you, I'd never forgive myself!" I was suddenly interrupted by a bout of roaring laughter. I quickly looked up to find Green doubled over with laughter, while Kotone simply gave me that sweet smile of hers that means 'I knew you cared'. I released my grip, making Weavile look at me with a disappointed look on his face.
"I knew you had feelings in there, Grouch! Oh, the look on your face when he tackled you! I swear, it was the best thing since Red—" He suddenly stopped his laughing and stood up straight, clearing his throat while avoiding eye contact. Kotone shifted nervously as if a Beedrill had stung her back in a place she couldn't reach. "We shouldn't hang around like this...We should get going." What was that about? ...Red? It...sounds familiar.
"...Right. I'll get everyone in their Pokéballs so that we can get out of here." She walked past me with a look of sympathy on her face; I could tell that whatever it was, she knew something that Green didn't...and she wasn't telling.
Weavile reached for my belt as I pulled out his Pokéball. As I was about to recall him, I turned around to find Kotone whispering something to her Typhlosion, her face hidden in its ear. She recalled him slowly and then turned towards us. I looked away, unwilling to let her know I had been watching. I felt my cheeks grow a tad warmer as Weavile snickered at my behavior.
"Everyone accounted for? People and Pokémon all here?" Green cocked his head, still unwilling to look us in the eye. I nodded as I'm sure Kotone did the same. "Good, then let's—"
The doors suddenly burst open to reveal a furious grunt with shoulder-length green hair, a powerful Houndour at her side. "Queen Kotone! Not to worry, my queen! I'm here to apprehend these weaklings!"
I turned towards Green as he slammed his palm into his face and groaned. "I knew I shouldn't have gone easy on her! Stupid manners!" More like stupid hormones. You just scream flirt and I've only known you for what? A few hours or so? I narrowed my eyes as the woman raced over to Kotone, knocking Green and I away, making my Pokémon growl at her back.
"Let go of me!" Kotone struggled as the grunt's grip found a hold on her shoulders. I let out a snarl as I slowly inched closer to the grunt, ready to pounce on her without a second thought.
The woman went on, oblivious to the struggling girl's complaints. "Don't worry, I'll send these pathetic fools packing for you! You need not lift a single finger!" She suddenly spun around and pointed at my Pokémon with a scowl. "Houndour! Use Flamethrower!" The Dark Pokémon let out an obedient bark before opening his mouth, the flames already lapping eagerly out of the edges. I quickly leaped back as the flames nearly hit my shoes. My heart raced with excitement, eager to have a battle—even if it was with some Team Rocket scum.
"Gah! Weavile!" I looked to see my partner already smirking, crouched and ready for attack. "Hit that pest with an Ice Beam!" I didn't really care that it wasn't a good match-up, I just wanted to get the heck out of here.
My Pokémon nodded and spat out the chilling blue with little effort. The Houndour yipped as it collided with the left side of his face, freezing it over. "Houndour, you worthless excuse for a Pokémon! You better not freeze on me or it's curtains for you!" Kotone managed to pry herself from the woman's grip as she became too absorbed in verbally abusing her Pokémon. The Dark Pokémon let out a quiet whimper before snarling at us, his red eyes fixated on my partner.
And to think...I used to talk to my team like that. I let out a shudder before glaring at our opponent, Kotone dashing over to Green. He quickly checked her over before cheering at me, encouraging me to 'show no mercy'. As if I need a reminder of that! "Weavile, dash up to Houndour!" My Pokémon beamed as he raced the short distance, the command catching the two off guard. "Now, fling him high!" Sharp claws connected with black fur, making the Dark Pokémon howl in pain. The woman gasped as her Pokémon was tossed above our heads with ease, leaving Weavile kneeling as he waited for the final shot.
I smirked as I felt the taste of victory edge closer, its sweet taste taunting my tounge. "Now, Beat Up!" The Sharp Claw Pokémon laughed as his hands glowed, the power of the shadows engulfing his dagger-like claws. He leaped high into the air, giving the unfortunate Houndour a slash similar to a Shadow Claw attack. He quickly turned in midair, launching himself again and again at the victim, changing angles with each shot. His claws glowed blue, a burning red, a consuming navy, a whisping black and plum fog and finally a metallic silver with golden tips before he landed gracefully on the floor, facing me with a proud smirk. The Houndour sank like a stone, hitting the ground with a cloud of dust and broken woodchips, its body motionless.
I let out a laugh as my partner and I rushed to our awaiting teammates, their faces frozen with shock. "If you'll excuse us pest, we have places to be!" I gave them a shove to snap them to attention and started heading for the door. Green quickly grabbed Kotone by the wrist and started picking up speed.
"C'mon, you two!" Kotone and I started to burst into a run as we turned out of the oaken doors, heading left towards the awaiting exit. "We've gotta get out of here before—!" Green was cut off by an angry shout from behind us, making us freeze in our tracks. My eyes widened as we found Proton racing towards us, an angry ocean of grunts pouring around the corner he had just passed.
"Crap!" Green let out a shriek, turning back towards our way out and booking it for the safety of the outside world. "Let's get out of here!" I simply grunted as I easily matched his speed, slowly passing the Gym Leader. Weavile was basically a speed-demon, he could outrun us to the exit any day of the week. Kotone nearly tripped once or twice as she struggled to match Green's larger stride.
"Get back here! You'll never escape us!" I looked over my shoulder to find Proton slowly falling behind, his mob of minions still overflowing like a flooded river. I let out a mocking laugh that sounded just like the ones Proton used to give me.
"Yeah right, loser! See ya' never!" I kept on laughing, even when the laughs came out as gasps for air. Finally, after what felt like an endless cycle, we found ourselves climbing the stairs up to the surface.
"It's so dark in here!" Kotone suddenly let out a shriek as I heard a thump behind me. I turned to just make out her kneeling a few steps behind us; she had obviously tripped.
"Well, let me help you!" I found myself growling as Green stooped to pick her up. Ignoring the fact that we were running for our lives, I shoved him aside and grabbed Kotone's arms.
"No! I'll carry her! You keep going!" I grunted as I lifted her onto my back, a rumble coming from both the angry Green and the ascending mob of Rockets behind us. I started to gradually return to a run—although slightly slower under the slight weight. Her arms tightened around my neck, her breath still uneven from her attempts at matching our pace. My heart was beating even faster now, most likely from the continued use of adrenaline to fuel the breakneck speed I had been going before becoming Kotone's mode of transportation.
"Do I have any say in this?" Her voice was small, her words coming out in pants. I let out a laugh as we busted out of my father's suits and raced for the door.
"Not a single word. We're trying to survive here, woman; there's no time for arguing." I heard Green growl as we now approached the still-open front door, the skies now radiating a bright orange as the sun lowered. I beamed as I found Speedy still resting where I had left him, pecking the dirt intently.
"Speedy?" I let her climb down as we huffed at the Triple Bird Pokemon's side, Green anxiously looking towards the door. "What's he doing here?"
"Less questions, more leaving!" Green suddenly shoved both of us closer to the Pokémon, I pulled out Weavile's Pokéball and recalled him; I highly doubted I could fit the both of us and the smart-mouthed Pokémon on the bird's back. "He can explain later!"
"Stop right there!" I frantically turned towards the door; the were getting really close now if I could hear them.
"Right! C'mon, Kotone!" I grabbed her hand and tried to climb on the awaiting Dodrio's back. I had already climb up when she stopped and grabbed her head, pulling her hand from my grasp.
"Kotone?" Green quickly looked from the door to us, worry written all over his face. "Go! You two need to get out of here before they see you leave!"
She looked up at me in confusion, her once vibrant eyes now returning to a slightly pink shade. "Wait...where are we going, Silver?" What?! Is she crazy?!
"We don't have time for this!" The screams were getting louder, they had to be close to the door by now. "We're heading home! Get up here!" Her eyes grew wide before she suddenly tried to dash away, Green grabbed her under her arms quickly and picked her up with ease.
"No! Put me down, weakling!" She squirmed in his grip as he desperately tried to place her behind me. "HELP! I'm being kidnapped!"
"Cut it out, Kotone!" I quickly grabbed her arms and tried to pull her on the now shifting back. "We don't have time to play crazy girl right now!" Green finally managed to sit her down in front of me, I quickly grabbed the reins and wrapped my arms around her to keep her from trying to jump off. The position wasn't the most comfortable, but I managed.
"Now, you two get going!" Green started walking backwards, away from us with worried eyes. "I'll head towards Pallet Town to throw them off your trail!" He then quickly pulled out a Pokéball and tossed it to the ground, allowing his Arcanine to stand before him. He mounted the Legendary Pokémon and gave us a nod as I motioned for Speedy to start leaving. "They'll probably follow my trail if I'm riding a Pokémon; they know we couldn't have gotten here so fast on foot." The screams were getting louder now and Kotone was still squirming, yelling all sorts of accusations at me.
"Right, take care!" Speedy headed towards the Pokémon League, trotting for a short while before breaking into a run. We had almost left Viridian City's left entrance behind us when Green's voice rang through the air.
"And don't forget to call me when you get there, darn it!"
Author's Note: I'm so very sorry I took so long to update! I was sidetracked by both "Ethan Gold V.S Silver—A War of Two Metals" and my Rocket!Au "The Pains of Being in Charge". I'm really sorry about taking so long with this, especially since I have these chapters all ready to go... "orz My apologies.
This is a longer chapter for sure, so that might make it up to you guys! This is actually the first time I've ever written a battle, so I hope it's a good one!