Chapter 2 - Survivalism

Thick, acrid smoke filled the air, distorting the afternoon sunlight and causing an unholy orange glow to be reflected to the earth. The roar of flames mingled with the screams of human and beast as the headquarters of Team Rock twisted and dissolved in a fiery maw. The bodies of the dead and dying lay sprawled across the once immaculate gardens.

Giovanni stood before him, eyes reflecting the dancing flames with rapt fascination. A malevolent smile played at his lips. He was dressed impeccably in a black suit and tie which clashed violently with the scene that was his backdrop.

"Are you going to kill me now?" He teased, almost gloatingly.

The knife thrust forward, hitting him square in the chest. Blood began to leak from the corners of Giovanni's eyes but the smile did not fade. He sunk to his knees as the knife was forcefully removed from his chest.

Hot blood spurted forwards, think and ruby red, covering Ash as he dropped the knife to the ground. The coppery smell assaulted his nostrils making him feel giddy. Giovanni choked and withered on the ground before him, blood pumping freely from the wound, the light slowly fading in his eyes.

He kept his eyes locked on Giovanni's, blank and emotionless. The world around him suddenly silent as his focused his attention on the dying man, watching as he bled out before him, as his breathing became more and more laboured. With a death's cry Giovanni thrashed violently, his body arching off the ground one last time, the light in his eyes finally flickered out.

He had ended it.

In the cool shade of verdant overgrowth on the edge of the Viridian Forest, Brock and his collective had set a makeshift camp. They were set to meet Misty here before traveling on to Pewter city together. The forest was alive with the sounds of the resident bug Pokémon. Above them, the hum of Beedrills, unseen in the thick foliage. Around them, poisonous Weedle leered at them from the undergrowth. Every now and again a Spearow would swoop from the branches, targeting a Caterpie or Rattata its keen eye had spotted.

Forrest made his way over to his older brother and took a seat on the ground beside him. Although three years younger and slightly shorter than Brock, they had once been often confused for twins. Now though, where Brock had cropped his hair close to his head, Forrest had allowed his to grow to shoulder length. Forrest's physique athletic and sleek, where Brock's was heavily muscular and solid.

"What is the state of Pewter city?" Brock asked his younger brother.

"It's not bad, or as good as it could be, considering." Forrest shrugged. "Your gym still stands at least." He added with a stiff smile.

"Do you think we'll come up against any resistance from Rocket?"

Forrest shrugged again, "Hard to say, I've been keeping my head down, like you asked me too."

Brock nodded briefly. He had asked his family to keep out of Team Rocket's way while he made a trip to Johto to hide his wife and children. He had wanted the same for his siblings but they were adults now and capable of making their own decisions. Along with Forrest; Salvador, Yolanda and Tommy joined his group for the return to Pewter. The other five making the choice to avoid the fight. Brock had not heard from them since he had set off for Johto, deep down he hoped they had left Kanto completely. The death of their mother and father in the first wave of fighting had scared the younger siblings, while strengthen the resolve to fight in the older.

"You reckon what Misty told us is true?" asked Forrest.

Brock contemplated his answer, chewing the words over in his mind. Did he believe what Misty had told them was actually true and not an old fairy tale? He was unsure, but it was the only lead to go on and why they had planned to meet and scout Pewter City. He mainly just hoped Misty had found something of use in her detour to Pallet Town.

The journey to Pewter city would take longer than average because Misty refused to go through Viridian City. She had warned Ash that Team Rocket grunts had overrun the town and it was best that they were not spotted.

"They don't use Pokémon to battle," She explained to Ash, "They use them to maim and kill. It's not worth the risk; getting dragged into a fight with them."

Ash accepted this without argument, he wasn't particularly keen on getting involved in anything with Team Rocket. As much as it was in spite of himself, he was compelled to meet with Brock. The mystery of Giovanni's apparent resurrection gripped him. He couldn't see how any of this could be true.

In doing this he was allowing himself to be led by Misty, following a distance behind, Pikachu at his feet. As he walked in step behind her, he absent-mindedly watched the way her hair bounced lightly with each movement she made, catching the sunlight, glittering between the deepest reds to the brightest oranges.

Fascinated his eyes wandered downwards, down her slim body to her legs which where hugged by tight jeans that emphasized her bottom. He tried to stop himself but before he knew it, he was mesmerized by the curves of her lower body. He felt a strange desire build inside him and perhaps, knowledge that he was still but a man.

'Chu?" Pikachu stopped suddenly and cocked its head to side, gazing intently into the distance.

"What is it?" Ash asked, curiously. Stopping as well and following Pikachu's gaze.

As far as he could see, small shrubbery and trees lined the earth, backdropped by a perfect pale blue sky. Nothing struck him as out of the ordinary. He looked back down at his Pokémon, wondering what had caused its interest.

"Pika?" Pikachu shook his head slightly, as if confused and trying to clear his thoughts. It then looked up at his master. "Pika!" Pikachu shrugged and raced off after Misty.

In the distance, a tall slim woman dressed neatly in a burgundy suit with green hair, dead straight and to her waist, watched the trio. A small smile played at her lips.

And in a blink of an eye, she vanished.

"Misty, over here!" Forrest shouted out waving his hand though the air. "We were expecting you earlier."

The pale blue sky had given way to an overcast evening. The forest was alive with the hum of bug Pokémon that became more active towards the sunset, almost overpowering was the sound. Misty led Ash to the makeshift camp were Forrest stood.

"Brock's just gone for a piss," Forrest laughed as he saw the expression on Misty's face and reached out for a quick hug. "Have a seat, he'll be back soon." He then turned his attention to Ash with a brief glance and a nod.

Ash realized that Forrest would not remember him, he had been pretty young the last time Ash had seen him. Without so much as a look to acknowledge Forrest, he took a seat on the earth beside Misty and crossed his legs. Pikachu climbed into his lap and settled down for a nap. Ash stoked Pikachu's fur with a loving caress. Even though his world was crashing down around him, he could find solace in his best friend.

The sound of twigs breaking underfoot brought Ash's attention to the new arrival. Although the years had passed since they had last laid eyes upon each other, Ash instantly recognized the other male. He hadn't noticed Ash however, his eyes trained on Misty who had stood at his arrival.

"Misty." A cordial smile spread across his lower face and reflected in his eyes. He then turned his eyes to the dark-haired male that remained seated. His smile instantly sliding from his features

"Ash?" Brock looked at him in disbelief. "I wasn't sure if you were still alive!"

"Here I am, in the flesh," Ash replied dryly. Brock, ignoring Ash's bored tone, laughed heartily.

"I never would have believed I would see you again! A pleasant surprise, let me assure you." Brock chattered, overwhelmed with a range of emotion. "Where did you come from? How did you find Misty?"

Ash made a non-committal noise in the back of his throat. He felt uncomfortable with Brock's enthusiasm. Mainly because he did not share it, he had chosen a life of solitude, and at that very moment, pined for that life.

"I found him, in Pallet." Misty answered for him, aware of Ash's unwillingness to be a part of the conversation. Brock, however had busied himself and seemed not to listen, his hands digging in his hip pocket for a brown leather wallet which he opened and removed a slightly creased piece of paper.

"My wife and kids!" Brock excitedly pushed the photograph into Ash's hands. The photo depicted Professor Ivy, as curvy and vivacious as ever, with two children, both boy and girl, who Ash were to learn were twins, that resembled their mother almost uncannily. Save for their skin tone and eyes, which matched Brock's.

"Congrats." Said Ash and handed the photo back to which Brock replaced into its pride of place in his wallet. Pocketing it, he turned back to Ash.

"I can't wait for you to meet my kids. You'll love them." Brock said proudly, puffing his chest out. Ash cringed internally.

"Anyway," Misty cut in, "I think we should work out how we are going to approach tomorrow."

Brock turned his full attention to Misty; a serious expression shadowed his face.

"Did you learn anything in Pallet Town."

What he really meant was did they find out if Professor Oak was still alive, but he didn't want to voice this out loud, he didn't want to be disappointed.

"Nothing, he's lab has already been ransacked. I'd say Rocket attended to that long ago."

Brock frowned. "I expected as much," He sighed heavily. "Well, we're here now. Might as well find out what we can find out."

Misty looked away, to the horizon where the moon was beginning to break.

"Looks like that is the only option we have for now."

Walking the streets of Pewter city was a depressing foray. The residents, huddled up and eyes cast downwards, hurried past them. They raced to the green-grocer and butcher, quickly exchanging money for goods before returning towards their dwellings, desperate not to be caught too long on the streets. The atmosphere weighted with fear.

They arrived before the Rock-faced building that housed the Pewter City Gym. Brock's mouth hardened into a thin line as they stood before the entrance. Forrest reached out a hand and placed in on his brother's forearm.

Ash strode forward first, reaching the wooden double doors he grabbed the handle and pulled them aside. Looking back over his shoulder at the unmoving crowd he sighed.

"You coming?"

Brock nodded stiffly and followed Ash to the threshold of the door. With hardened resolve his stepped into the dark confines of the building. Pikachu followed after Brock, eyes shining with curiosity.

The insides of the gym where dark with an air of neglect. Ash stopped near the edge of the pitch and allowed his eyes to adjust to the dimness. From somewhere to his left, he heard a sharp exhale of breath and a muttered curse. For the members of Brock's family, the scene that surround them was confronting.

Forrest was the first to move further in; his silhouette barely visible in the darkness but Ash could tell by his movements he was uncomfortable. He was jerky and defensive and Ash could not blame him, there was a sense of wrongness in the air. As if they where intruders to someone's home.

"What the fu-" Forrest yelled out, jumping backwards as what had been flooring now towered in front of him. The sound of breaking rock pierced the air and dust irritated their eyes. Ash shifted into a defensive stance, his eyes bouncing from one side of the room to the other, desperately trying to make out what was happening in the thick dust and debris.

There was an inhumane growl, like nothing Ash had heard before, he felt Pikachu tighten its grip on his shoulder, its heart thrumming with fear besides his ear. Finally, his focus was drawn to a large bipedal Pokémon, that he was positive had not been their prior.

It was a Rhydon but this Rhydon looked nothing like any Ash had seen before. It was pure black, save for deep red eyes, glowering menacingly at them.

Forrest, quickest to recover from the shock of the new arrival, stepped forward his body bristled for action, tendons in his neck straining as he clenched his jaw.

"It's one of them, It's a Dark Pokémon."

Removing a PokeBall from his belt, he enlarged it and threw it into the air before him.

"Golem!"

In a flash of light, a spherical Pokémon with thick arms and legs poking out of its rock hardened body, landed with a heavy thud on the floor before them. It looked up at the enemy Rhydon and flexed it's claw like fingers in anticipation.

Brock and Misty, following Forrest's lead, freed their own Pokeballs.

'Onix!"

"Misty calls Starmie."

A long snake of rock unfurled before Brock, stretching upwards towards the celling, while a purple star shaped creature, that was Misty's, formed from light on the Onix's right.

Brock's siblings also joined in, releasing a Graveler, Omastar and a normal sized and coloured Rhydon.

Ash removed his backpack from one shoulder swinging it around in front of him, his hand searching for the cool metal of his own Pokeball. Upon finding it he replaced his pack onto his back and sent the ball spinning into the air.

"Lapras."

Misty let out a surprised gasp as the Lapras appeared in the burst of red coloured light. It stretched it's neck out to its full length, eyes filled with the desire to battle.

The dark Rhydon eyed them hungrily. But refused to move, as if waiting to see what its opponents had planned. It swayed on the spot, slightly. Sniffing the air, tasting the fear that scented it.

"Onix, bind!" Brock commanded, ending the stand-off. The snake like rock Pokémon darted forward, growling. The Rhydon turned a beady eye to it and lifting one of its massive forearms smacked the Onix away, sending it flying into the wall of the gym. Onix hit the wall with a pained cry and crumpled to the ground.

"Onix!" Brock called hopelessly to his Pokémon and raced to its side.

"Fuck." Forrest shouted, tensing his body. "Golem, Rock throw."

"Starmie, Hydro Pump!"

"Lapras, Ice beam!"

"Rhydon, horn drill."

"Omastar, water gun"

"Graveler, use Rock Throw as well!"

The mess of voices echoed around the gym as the Pokémon launched into action. The Dark Rhydon, however seemed unperturbed and spun on heel, using it's tall to scatter the attacking Pokémon, catching the Graveler and the Omastar and sending them reeling into the air.

The two Pokémon then crashed back to earth behind the line of Pokémon Trainers. Salvador and Tommy hurried to their Pokémon, hoping like hell they had survived.

"They're okay," Tommy breathed as he reached out and touched his Graveller. Salvador cradled his Omastar to his chest, whispering words of comfort to the Pokémon before recalling it to its Pokeball. Tommy also retreated his Pokémon; he wanted no further part in this battle.

The distraction of the Pokémon Trainers gave Rhydon the advantage, lowering its head, an unholy light began to glow from its horn. Ash, who had been watching Brock's two younger brothers was suddenly brought back to earth with realization of what was occurring. 'Watch out!" He yelled, panicked as the Rhydon began its charge.

Starmie, Yolanda's Rhydon and Golem reacted first, rolling, ducking and dodging as the Rhydon swung its glowing horn at them. Lapras however was not fast enough to avoid Rhydon's Horn Drill, catching it under the jaw and severing the main artery. The Lapras' scream pierced through Ash, tearing through his very soul. The Rhydon jerked its head upwards, horn still firmly attached into Lapras's neck. There was a sickening crack and ripping sound, and Lapras slumped forward, head hanging to the side, barely attached by a string of sinew.

Coldness swept through Ash, drowning every thought and emotion he had. Everything fell into silence around him. He was trapped in an aura of darkness. He found his voice screaming as though separate to himself:

"PIKACHU!"

Reacting to Ash's words Pikachu seemed to glow in elemental light, swirling like a vortex around its mouse-like body. Its eyes flashed and cleared of all emotions, mirroring Ash's own void like expression. Pikachu then shot forwards like a bullet, bursting through the thigh of Rhydon's left leg, landing on all fours, it skidded slightly, before turning and propelling into Rhydon's remaining leg. This time ripping it clear from the Rock Pokémon's body in an outwards spray of blood and muscle. Rhydon fell forward, hitting the ground with an almighty crash which shook the foundations of the gym.

The Rhydon, screaming in agony, lifted itself off the ground with its powerful arms. Face contorted with rage it stared at the little mouse Pokémon which had been its downfall.

"Volt tackle" Ash ordered; his voice as bereft of life as his eyes were blank.

"Pika!" Pikachu shouted in reply and darted forward; body surrounded by a surge of electricity. Ducking under the Rhydon's outstretched arms, it launched itself upwards, lodging into the chest of the beast.

"Now. Thunder!" Ash commanded.

An explosion of electricity and body parts flew skywards, hitting the gym ceiling and fanning outwards. Blood and gore rained down over the group, covering them in entrails and black blood. The vile smell of semi cooked meat overpowered them, causing the group members to try cover their noses to protect from the sickening odor.

Ash fell forwards onto his knees, panting heavily as if he were the one who had fought Rhydon, his chest tight, weary with stress. Bile stung at his throat. The rancid scent of gore assaulted his sense, the taste thick in his mouth making his stomach churn. His body heaved involuntarily, throwing his head forward, his throat constricted as his body fought to ejaculate the contents of his stomach. Green bile mixed with mucus and saliva splash down his chin. He felt tears sting at his eyes but he did not want to cry. Another failing of his body, another function outside his control.

From the centre of the muck pile, which was once a living creature, Pikachu crawled. Its yellow fur now blackened with blood and bodily fluids. Ash reached out for his partner, who nuzzled against his outstretched hand gently before sighing and passing out. Ash picked Pikachu up off the floor and cradled it to his chest.

Misty moved to Ash's side and squatted down.

"Here," she said softly, cupping her hands in front of her. Ash reacted automatically, handing her Pikachu's limp body.

"Starmie," Misty called, her voice constricted by the tightness in her throat. Starmie rolled to her side and she held out Pikachu in front of her.

"Hyah," Starmie acknowledged and released a soft stream of water, which Misty used to clean the bloodstained fur of the little Pokémon, kneading her hands gently across the Pikachu's body. She felt something touch her shoulder and jumped, startled. Looking up she realised Brock had removed his shirt and was handing it to her. Taking it with a word of thanks, she hung it over her shoulder, continuing to clean the gore meticulously from Pikachu. She then used the shirt brock had offered her as a towel, rubbing the Pikachu down removing the leftover blood and drying what she could of its fur.

She then handed Pikachu wordlessly back to Ash, who clutched it back to his chest like a mother protecting their child.

"Guys!" Forrest called out, disturbing the moment. "Look at this."

He was standing over the mess of body parts that remained of Rhydon. His mouth ajar and eyes wide in wonder. A grey orb emitting a dull light floated at head height, before him. Even Ash looked up at Forrest's words. A spark of curiosity jolted in his stomach, standing awkwardly he handed Pikachu carefully to Misty and shuffled towards Forrest.

The light grew brighter as Ash approached and without knowing what compelled him, he reached out and brushed the orb with his fingertips. The light expanded, blinding him before exploding outwards like a supernova. Ash blinked furiously, trying to clear his vision as the last of the flash subsided. He felt something cold and metallic against his hand and reactively closed his fist around it. Bringing his fist closer to his face, he uncurled his fist. Sitting in the centre of his palm, a Boulder badge. The symbol of the Pewter City Gym.

"That's strange." Brock said, redundantly as he stared down at the boulder badge sitting in the palm of Ash's hand.

"You don't say." Ash shot him an irritated look and run the badge to his fingers, studying it. It was exactly the same as the badge he had received all those years ago. Complete even with the mechanism to pin it to something. But somehow, it was different.

"I thought you said that they were gems?" Misty asked, glancing at the Boulder Badge with a fearful look, as if it was poisonous

"No, I said they were stones." Replied Ash, argumentatively. He knew he was being childish but he was getting more and more annoyed with the situation, although he could not put his finger on why.

Without so much as an idea as to what to do with it, he pocketed the badge.

Author's Note: I apologize for this chapter taking so long as I have struggled over the last month with my mental health. But the good news is chapters 3 and 4 or not far behind and hopefully will be up before too long.

I thought it would be quicker than this as I have written out the chapter summaries and plans but it's just trying to make the ideas flow seamlessly that seems to be taking me longer.

Thank you to everyone who has read, favourited, followed and reviewed. I am very appreciative of this and it really encourages me. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter.