Chapter 21
Mahogany Town
Team Rocket Mahogany Town Branch
Blake and Matt each sat on one of the plush chairs that filled up the corner of the small room, Shari seated across them dressed in the usual Team Rocket uniform.
"Is this the new recruit Blake?" Shari asked, observing Matt who was petrified at the fact that he was currently located in a Team Rocket building that was disguised as a Post Office.
"New recruit? Hell no, I'm not joining Team Rocket!" Matt shouted. "Wait a second, Blake you're part of Team Rocket?"
"No." Blake replied with a sigh before pointing at Shari. "Shari, explain."
"Blake and I aren't part of Team Rocket. We joined, but we're not really working for them. I'm with the Pokemon Committee and Blake is just helping me out." Shari explained, getting a confused look from Matt.
"If you're part of the Committee, then why did you join Team Rocket?" Matt asked, trying his best to understand what Shari was talking about.
"Team Rocket has been on the rise in Johto, and even though they've wrecked both Lake Rage and Cherrygrove City, we can't just hit them back because that would put the Committee in a tight position." Shari went on.
"What kind of situation?" Blake asked since he had never gone onto the subject.
"Well you should know already Blake. The Committee is slowly expanding its power over the daily life of people, for example Cherrygrove City. The Committee took over the town when the citizens refused to construct a Battle Dome and forced them to pay a ridculos amount of money to pressure them into building a Battle Dome." Shari explained. "They were just about to force them out of the area when Team Rocket attacked. I heard from Stanly that a trainer now has the Charter for the town so Cherrygrove City so the Committee no longer has control over them."
"Controlling all aspects of life." Blake said to himself. "Giving one fraction absolute power would only throw everything into chaos."
"Right Blake, and that isn't the Committee's goal either. But it appears that Team Rocket is aiming for that by causing as much trouble as they can to keep the Committee distracted, but that's where we come in." Shari said. "We're the inside eye, learning what Team Rocket's real plan is."
"I barely understood anything you just said, so just tell me who I'm helping by joining you." Matt asked, causing Shari to sigh, tightly clentching her fist since she went through the whole explanation for nothing.
"Blake, I'll be right back." Shari said, grabbing the collar of Matt's shirt to drag him out the room with her.
"What'd I do?" Matt asked as Shari closed the door to the room, leaving Blake by himself.
"The Pokemon Committee, Team Rocket, Legendary Pokemon and the Crests of Light and Darkness." Blake said, running a hand through his hair before a loud grunt from Matt came from out in the hallway. "If I really am part of this, what else should I expect to see?"
6/14/0046/Morning
Lake Rage
"So Shari, what are we doing at Lake Rage." Matt asked bitterly, glaring at the woman who had given him his new black eye.
"Well first of all, Team Rocket captured Lake Rage in order to capture the large number of Gyarados' that fill the lake to sell them." Shari explained. "I don't know where they sell all the Gyarados' to, but the point of this mission is to deal with a band of trainers that have been intercepting our trucks during pick ups. It should only take us three at most to complete this mission."
"So it's a search and destroy mission?" Blake asked, getting a nod from Shari. "Then let's get started."
"Here comes one of the pick up trunks." Shari said, pointing to the small truck that was heading away from Lake Rage, thousands of Poke-balls filling up the back of the trunk.
"Is that them?" Matt asked, pointing at a group of four trainers that were hiding in some bushes across the street from them, focusing on the approaching truck.
"I'm not sure, but get read incase it is them." Shari said, each of them taking out a Poke-ball.
Each of the four trainers across the street released a large Pokemon onto the street. Now blocking the path of the truck was a Machamp, Rhydon, Ursaring and a Snorlax.
"Get ready guys." Shari said as the driver of the trunk stomped on the brakes, expecting to crash into the Pokemon. "Go!"
As the truck made contact with the Snorlax's stomach, Rhydon, Ursaring and Machamp stepped forward, using their immense strength to push the truck backward, flipping it over.
"Ludicolo, use Hydro Pump." Matt shouted, releasing his partner from its Poke-ball.
"Ludi!" The Pokemon shouted happily before firing a huge stream of water at Snorlax which forced the Pokemon to take a step to its side, bumping into Ursaring.
"Gallade, use Psycho Cut. Ryuu, Dragon Breath." Blake said, releasing two Pokemon to battle with.
"Look out!" One of the trainers shouted, realizing they were under attack when Machamp was hit by a crescent shapped wave of pink energy and Rhydon was engulfed in green flames.
"Magmar, use Fire Punch!" Shari ordered, pointing at Snorlax after releasing her Pokemon.
"Gallade, join in with Leaf Blade."
"Ludicolo, Razor Leaf!"
Ludicolo and Gallade quickly double teamed Rhydon, knocking out the Rock type Pokemon with two Grass attacks, one to its torso and one to its head. Magmar jumped at Snorlax, landing a solid punch to its face with its flame covered left hand but it was brushed off by Snorlax who knocked away Magmar after it landed on the ground.
"Ryuu, use Dragon Breath on Snorlax." Blake said.
"Ludicolo, get in there and use a close range Razor Leaf on Ursaring."
"Machamp, use Cross Chop on that Magmar!"
"Magmar, counter with a double Fire Punch!"
"Ursaring, use Wood Hammer on Ludicolo!"
"Gallade, follow up with Night Slash on Snorlax!"
"Snorlax, use Endure!"
Snorlax tightened up his stance, a golden aura appearing around it before Gallade and Shelgon's attack hit, preventing it from being knocked out from the attack. Magmar thrusted both is arms forward, slamming its hands against Machamp's forearms to hold back its Cross Chop.
Ursaring raised both its arms into the air, both of them gaining a greenish aura before it slammed its hands downward onto the ground where Ludicolo was previously standing.
"Ludi!" It said happily, dancing circles around Ursaring while dodging its attacks with ease. After ducking beneath a horizontal swing from Ursaring, Ludicolo fired off its Razor Leaf attack, forcing Ursaring back.
"Now finish it with Drain Punch!" Matt shouted, watching his Ludicolo land a solid blow to Ursaring's stomach which sent Ursaring flying. Ursaring hit one of the tree turnks that bordered the road, the last of its health disappearing from the attack.
"Stay strong Magmar." Shari shouted to her Pokemon who was slowly being over powered by Machamp.
"Ludicolo, help Magmar out with Drain Punch!" Matt said quickly. Ludicolo turned around, rushing toward Machamp.
"Ludi-colo!" It said, throwing a punch for Machamp's lower torso only for its fist to be caught by Machamp's third arm.
Gallade landed another chain of Leaf Blade's on Snorlax, wearing away at the Pokemon's final defense.
"Ryuu, use Skull Bash to finish of Snorlax." Blake said to his Shelgon, getting a nod from the Pokemon. Shelgon burst out of the bushes, rushing toward Snorlax who was now open for the finisher. Gallade moved out of Shelgon's path, giving it a clear path for Snorlax who took the hit straight to its stomach which flipped the large Pokemon, getting rid of its remaining health.
"Ludicolo, use Drain Punch with your next hand." Matt shouted.
Without any orders, Machamp pushed away the hand of Ludicolo that it had been holding and used the same hand to parry away the Drain Punch before landing a quick jab to Ludicolo's face, forcing it to stumble backward a bit.
"Gallade, use Psycho Cut." Blake shouted, pointing at Machamp who was still locked in combat with Magmar.
With a quick swing of its arm, Gallade fired a crescent shaped wave of Psychic energy at Machamp, hitting the Pokemon from the side. Machamp lowered its defense, gasping in pain from the attack only to meet with a dual Fire Punch from Magmar which knocked out the Pokemon.
"Let's get out of here!" One of the trainers said as they began to leave.
"I don't think so." Shari said, cutting of their only exit with herself and her new Marcargo. "You're not going anywhere."
Soon Blake, Matt and their Pokemon had surrounded the trainers, tieing them up to make sure they didn't go anywhere.
"Thanks again for the help." The Team Rocket grunt that was driving the truck said now that his truck was on the rode once more.
With that he drove off to make his delivery, leaving Blake, Shari and Matt to decide what to do with the trainers.
"What are you going to do to us?" One of them asked nervously.
"Nothing." Blake replied, kneeling down to begin untieing them.
"What? You're not going to take us away and have us tortured or something?"
"Nope."
"We're with the Pokemon Committee acting as doubles inside Team Rocket." Shari explained, releasing them from the ropes.
"Don't worry, this isn't a joke. You're free to go, but just stay out of the area since it's supposed to look like we got rid of you." Matt said, motioning for them to go before any of the Team Rocket partrol units arrived.
The trainers seemed unsure of what to do for a moment before Blake motioned for them to leave. After returning their Pokemon to their Poke-ball's, the trainers without a word, left, all of them wondering if they were dreaming or if this was real.
"Alright guys, lets go give in our report."
6/15/0046/Early Morning
Team Rocket Bunker
Admin's Office
"So the group of trainers left?"
"With their tails between their legs." Shari replied.
"Well if I knew the Free Style Team could get the job done so quickly, I would've called you first." The Team Rocket Admin said, looking up from the mountain of paper work that was on his desk. "Thank for the help but by any chance, are two of you willing to stay at Lake Rage for about two weeks?"
"What for?" Matt asked.
"We just lost two recruits in our capture squads to the Mahogany Branch and we're a bit short handed without them. Are any of you available?" He asked.
"What would we be doing?" Blake asked in return.
"We capture the Gyarados' living in Lake Rage to ship them out. What you'll be doing is engage the Gyarados', battling them and then catching them. It's not a hard job, but the Gyarados' can be pretty feisty sometimes." The Admin explained.
"I'm up for it." Blake said.
"Yeah, me too." Matt added.
"Good, but I have one question. Aren't you two a bit young to be in Team Rocket?"
"Trust me, they look young, but they have enough expierence to match your age." Shari replied.
"That's good…wait, h-ey!" Shari chuckled before telling Blake and Matt not to misbehave while they were here.
"Alright boys, welcome to Lake Rage." The Admin said after Shari left the room.
6/22/0046/Noon
Lake Rage
"Dustin, slow down." Randy said, becoming even more irritated at the fast pace his friend had set for their walking speed.
"Randy, speed up." Dustin replied.
"Why are you in such a rush anyway?" Randy asked.
"Because I can sense a battle going on." Dustin replied. "Team Rocket must be trying to catch another Gyarados. This way."
Dustin led Randy through the tree line, eventually stopping behind a line of bushes that was close to the source of the all the noise.
"Quilava, use Flame Wheel to dodge it." Blake shouted as both he and Quilava quickly moved out of the path of Gyarados' Hydro Punp attack.
Gyarados continued to aim at Quilava, following the Pokemon that was coated in flames while firing a continous of water at the Pokemon. Using its superior speed, Quilava evaded the attack before turning around to race toward Gyarados.
Over the course of the past week, Blake had been training Quilava against the monster sized water Pokemon of Lake Rage, focusing on Quilava's speed and strength of its fire type moves against water attacks. Quilava slipped under the Hydro Pump, appaoching Gyarados's snake like body where it began to climb up its body, targeting its head.
Gyarados fired another Hydro Pump at Quilava from close range which Blake had been expecting.
"Quilava, Pyro Quick Attack!" Blake shouted. The flames surrounding Quilava was replaced by a red dome that had distrorted Quilava from the intense heat inside it. Quilava charged headfirst into the Hydro Pump attack, disappearing inside the stream of water.
Gyarados smirked, thinking it had won before Quilava suddenly burst out of the Hydro Pump, crashing into Gyarados' forehead which took out the last of its health. Quilava landed on the ground bordering the lake while Blake threw a Lure Ball at the unconscious Water Snake Pokemon, capturing it.
"Nice Quilava." Blake said after catching the Lure Ball that held the Gyarados he had captured, approaching his partner to give it a pat on the head.
"That kid is pretty good." Dustin whispered to Randy, getting no reply. "Randy?"
"Good job Blake. You've gotten better since Azalea Town." Randy commented, stepping out from the bushes while clapping his hands for Blake.
"Randy. What are you doing here?" Blake asked.
"Recon with a friend from the Committee. Dustin, stop hiding, he's a friend." Randy said, motioning for Dustin to come out.
Dustin rose from the ground, stepping out from behind to the bushes.
"You." Blake said, addressing Dustin who he recognized from Olivine City.
"Do you guys know each other?" Randy asked, noticing Blake's glare toward the clueless Dustin.
"I don't think so." Dustin mumbled to himself, trying to remember where he had seen Blake. After a few moments, Dustin snapped his fingers. "Right, Olivine City in the Team Rocket Black Market."
"This is the kid you were talking. No wonder you had a hard time." Randy exclaimed, observing Blake's Team Rocket uniform. "I take it everything is going well in Team Rocket?"
Blake gave Randy a short a nod.
"Finding information is pretty hard. I haven't found a single leak yet." Blake replied before looking at Dustin again who returned his stare.
"What?" Dustin asked after their staring contest ended with Blake as the victor.
"Teach me about Synchronism." Blake said, remembering the strange ability Dustin had used to completely dominate Blake in a Pokemon battle the last time they had met.
"Synchronism…oh right, I forgot I could use that." Dustin exclaimed while Randy palmed his forehead.
"Excuse his idiocy, he constantly forgets he can Synchronize with his Pokemon so just bare with it." Randy explained, watching Dustin release his Medicham from its Poke-ball.
"Medicham, guess what. I can Synchronize with you." Dustin said excitedly to his Pokemon who palmed its forehead since this happened on a daily basis.
"So can he teach it to me?" Blake asked, watching as Dustin and Medicham began to Synchronize with each other, beginning to mirror the others movements.
"Maybe. You can't just Synchronize with any Pokemon, it's a gene that you need if you plan to use it." Randy explained.
"Don't worry, I already confirmed it. He has the gene to use Synchronism." Dustin said, getting their attention.
"How do you know?" Blake asked.
"When ever I'm using the Synchronism, I can detect other people who have the gene as well." Dustin explained, walking over to Blake. "Release all your Pokemon and I'll pass on the ability to Synchronize with your Pokemon from myself to you."
"Does that mean you'll loss this power?"
"No, I'll be giving up a piece of my strength, but I can always get that back." Dustin replied, watching Blake release the other four Pokemon that made up his team, surprising Dustin. "So that Larvitar and Kirlia evolved since our last encounter?"
Blake nodded before Dustin suddenly grabbed his head with his two monstrous hands. Before Blake could question his actions, Dustin slammed his forehead against Blake's, putting him a sort of trance.
Blake's Pokemon were about to rush to his defense when all five of them froze where they were standing, their usual eye color becoming an errie green. Dustin released his hold on Blake's head, stepping back to let the dormant gene within Blake's body to awaken.
"Is that all?" Randy asked, looking at Blake and then Dustin.
"That's all its takes." He replied as Blake shut his eyes for a few moments. Then he opened them, revealing a pair of light eyes that lacked a pupil, his Pokemon's becoming the same color.
Blake remained completely still for a few minutes before he sneezed, snapping out of the trance which also released his Pokemon from the bind that had been holding them. Blake as well as his entire team looked down at their feet at the same time before looking up at the sky.
Together they looked left, then right before settling on Randy, Dustin and Medicham. Blake took a breath before his chest tightened up, retricting his air intake before the Synchronism broke, Blake dropping down to one knee.
"It's incredibly taxing on your body if you use the Synchronism with more than one Pokemon at a time." Dustin explained, watching Blake take several sharp breaths. "But with it active, you can speak to your Pokemon without verbal communication and your commands reach them four times as faster than speaking not to mention it raises you Pokemon's reaction time. The only down side is that you expierence any psysical damage the Pokemon takes during a battle so I'd suggest you stick to using fast Pokemon."
"Alright, thanks." Blake said, looking back at his team which was still a bit dazed.
"By the way, is Shari still here Blake?" Randy asked.
"No, she left about a week ago." Blake replied, getting a sigh from Randy.
"Thanks. Come on Dustin, we have to keep moving." Randy said.
"Aren't you guys doing recon?" Blake asked.
"Well that's our cover, in truth were following a Team Rocket Executive who had traveled to Lake Rage two days ago."
"Ah, that Executive is here to make sure the next shipment of Gyarados' make it to its desination later today."
"Do you know what their doing with all these Gyarados' Blake?" Dustin asked.
"No, the Admin won't share that info with me, he just said to keep capturing Gyarados'."
"Hmm, alright. That means we have to move right now. Let's go Dustin." Randy said, motioning for his partner to follow him, pointing to ther other side of Lake Rage. "Oh wait, here you go Blake. I found this earlier but I have nothing to do with it. I'm sure you can make better use of it than I can."
Randy tossed Blake a dark blue stone with multiple light blue circles that were supposed to represent buubles.
'A Water Stone.' Blake said, quickly catching the stone which gained Poliwhirl's attention. "Thanks."
"Poliwhirl!" It shouted, rushing over to Blake were it reached for the stone, begging for it. Blake glanced at Poliwhirl before handing it the stone, allowing the evolution process to begin, turning Poliwhirl into a Poliwrath.
'Two down.' Blake said mentally as the white light faded away revealing his newly evolved Poliwrath.
6/24/0046/Evening
Lake Rage-North Side
Blake and Quilava were facing off with yet another Gyarados, practicing the Synchronism which proved to be very effective in giving fast commands.
'Quilava, use Quick Attack to climb up Gyarados.' Blake said mentally, Quilava receiving the command telepathically. Quilava burst forward, leaving a white streak behind it as it raced toward Gyarados while dodging its large tail.
Taking this chance, Quilava jumped onto Gyarados's tail, using this opening to scale the Dragonfish Pokemon's body. Quilava raced up its body, rushing toward its head where Gyarados was charging an orange sphere in its mouth. As Quilava neared its head, Gyarados fired the sphere at it.
'Use Flame Wheel.' Blake said. Quilava curled up into a ball, becoming covered in flames which met with Gyarados' Dragon Rage attack with an explosion.
Quilava emerged from the black smoke unaffected, ramming itself against Gyarados's face which sent the Pokemon down to the ground. Gyarados hit the ground with a loud crash, breaking the solid earth beneath it on impact.
Blake took note of the flames on Quilava's head and back which became a deep scarlet color which he wouldn't have noticed if not for the Synchronism informing Blake of the power that was welling up inside Quilava.
Quilava opened its mouth, releasing an inferno of scarlet flames which engulfed the downed Gyarados, wiping out the rest of the Pokemon's health with its newest Fire type attack.
"Lava Plume." Blake said out loud, capturing the Gyarados with another Lure Ball while Quilava lay on the ground, exhausted from another full day of training. "Very nice Quilava, take a rest."
Blake returned Quilava to its Poke-ball, looking up at the gold skies.
'They're all getting so strong. The IBF Tourney is coming up in two weeks, and we're almost ready.'
The IBF Tourney draws closer as Blake continues his training, adding his newly evolved Poliwrath and Synchronism to his arsenal.
Read, reveiw and enjoy.