Alright, I know it's late but in my defense, I went on vacation. I spent all of Tuesday and Wednesday on plane flights. Now that I'm settled and enjoying my time off, I'm able to spend the time doing this.

Chapter 11

Arrogance Meet Your Maker!

"Quilava, use Flamethrower!" The blue otter, bright orange flames flickering on its back and head, sat up on its hind feet. Taking a deep breath, the pokemon expelled a massive stream of flame that spread across the battlefield, catching the darting bug-and-steel type at the other end off guard. When the smoke cleared, the bipedal, red-clawed pokemon lay unconscious.

The referee, standing at the halfway point of the field, raised a hand in Quilava's direction and called, "Scizor is unable to battle. Challenger takes the win!" Quilava chirped then turned to walk back to its smirking trainer.

"Good job, Quilava." The trainer stated, pulling a pokeball from his belt. "Return and we'll get back to training in the morning." He ignored the way the otter flinched as it vanished into the pokeball. With the ball safely tucked away, he approached his opponent, the Azalea Gym Leader, to collect his prize. Having knocked down every opponent standing in his way, the trainer knew his pokemon were incredibly tough. Quilava alone took out Bugsy's entire team with minimal effort.

When the gym leader finally recalled his weak bug type and rounded on the trainer, he didn't miss the frown the older man wore. He didn't care though. It wasn't his fault his opponent didn't train his pokemon correctly. "Congratulations, Johnny, that was a good battle." Bugsy turned, picking a small piece of metal off a plate one of his students carried and held it out to the trainer. "As promised, here is your Hive Badge."

"Thanks," Johnny smirked, taking it from the man. "That was an easy fight. Thought you said you were undefeated."

At the flare of anger in the purple-haired man's eyes, a spark of amusement lit within the trainer. It was just too much fun to get under the skin of these Gym Leaders. They thought they were all high and mighty until someone came along and crushed them. Someone like him. Falkner was even easier to beat, all three of his pokemon going down in a flurry of flames that left burn marks across the field.

Bugsy calmly shrugged, the anger fading from his eyes as quickly as it came. "There's still more to learn. My research isn't finished. All we can do is continue to train and become stronger, alongside our pokemon. Now that you have the Hive badge, where will you go?"

"Goldenrod." Johnny replied immediately. He'd heard Whitney and her Miltank put up a good fight.

"Before you go, I suggest you stop by the Pokemon Center and have Nurse Joy look at your pokemon. Ilex Forest is not a place you want to enter with injured or tired pokemon." Really? Was this guy saying he wasn't strong enough to take on a few bugs? He'd just stomped Bugsy's entire team for crying out loud. When he sneered at the thought, the gym leader frowned, moving his weight to his back leg as he crossed his arms. "The pokemon in that forest are strong and will attack trainers who get too close. Nurse Joy currently has another trainer staying at the center. They were seriously injured not more than a week ago by a group of Beedrill. Even his Pikachu, as strong as it is, could not stand up to the might of a swarm."

Trainer. Strong. Pikachu. Those were the only three words that penetrated Johnny's mind. He was going to ignore the Gym Leader's words and continue, but if this trainer was as strong as Bugsy said, then maybe he'd hang around for a bit and see about a battle. Wouldn't hurt to have another win under my belt, he thought to himself. Realizing what he was about to do, he sighed. "Yeah, I think I will head to the Pokemon Center then. Nice fightin' ya, Bugsy!"

With that, he strode out of the gym and in the direction of the red-roofed building. As Johnny approached, he caught sight of a battle occurring on the opposite side of the building. A Hoot Hoot versus a spider-like pokemon he recognized as Spinarak. He snorted. Weaklings. They've probably already lost to the Gym Leader and are tryinna train up to go again. When Spinarak fired a String Shot that bound Hoot Hoot's feet, Johnny stepped into the Center, looking around to spot anyone.

It was quiet, only two other trainers sitting in the waiting chairs, and Nurse Joy was nowhere to be seen. Knowing she was most likely taking care of another pokemon, Johnny stepped to a seat a little away from the others. He didn't like sitting with other trainers; they were always going on about how their pokemon were so strong, and how they believed in them. It was nonsense, in his opinion. The only way to make pokemon strong was to train them until they dropped.

A quiet laugh reached the trainer's ears, and his eyes wandered over the two trainers. They both looked like regular kids. One had dirty blond hair tied up in a raggedy bandana. He wore a tan shirt under a green vest and beige cargo shorts. At his feet, a Furret stood on its hind paws, doing something with its tail. Noob. Johnny snorted, rolling his eyes at the kid. It was so easy to tell. Who used a normal type like Furret when Elm's fire starter was the best?

The other trainer had medium-length black hair that struck out in random spikes. He wore a grey shirt and grey sweatpants, something Johnny wasn't used to seeing since the weather around this part of the region never dropped low enough for thick clothes. While the kid looked as if he was laughing, there was something wrong with the gesture. Johnny frowned. It was almost as if something was missing though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The familiar bell dinged, and the door behind Nurse Joy's station opened to reveal the pink-haired woman stepping out with Chansey behind her. When the nurse walked around the counter, Johnny spotted a yellow blur run past her feet, only to stop in the middle of the floor and sit up. Then he had to blink. It was a Pikachu, that much he realized, but it had a thick layer of bandages around its eyes and a single layer crisscrossing its chest. When it turned around, several pink, puckered scars were visible across its head and edging down its back.

The kind of hell that Pikachu must have gone through simply wouldn't register for Johnny. Was this the Pikachu Bugsy was talking about? It had to be, he'd seen no other since he entered the Center but, if so, who was its trainer? Instead of considering the extent of the electric type's scarring, he focused on what he'd come here for. Getting up from his seat, he approached Nurse Joy, who was currently talking to the raven-haired kid.

"His wounds are almost all healed. Though his sight is a lost cause, he's otherwise looking strong. I must say, when you two came in, I didn't think he would survive." It had to be the Pikachu she was talking about. Johnny was about to speak when he saw the kid pull a notepad out of a pocket, writing something on it before showing it to Nurse Joy. The woman folded her hands in front of her apron, beaming. "It was no problem at all. You two should be fine to leave either today or tomorrow."

The kid nodded and turned away. Clicking his teeth several times resulted in the Pikachu turning on a pokecoin, and running to its trainer. It made Johnny curious as to whether something was wrong with the kid. Why not just call it by name? Pushing his curiosity aside for the moment, Johnny approached the nurse.

"Excuse me, Nurse Joy?"

She turned to him, then smiled again, though this time it wasn't as bright as the one she'd given the kid. "My apologies, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Would you mind healing my pokemon for me?" The trainer asked, somewhat politely. He'd learned back in Violet City being rude to a Nurse Joy could rain seven kinds of pain on him he'd much rather avoid. Even if they were soft-hearted fools, they took care of his pokemon better than anyone else.

Nurse Joy nodded, stepping back and gesturing to the counter. "Of course, follow me and we'll get them straightened out." With that, she walked behind the desk and pulled out a tray with six indents in it.

While he pulled the pokeballs off his belt, he decided to sate his curiosity about the kid. "If you don't mind me asking, who's the trainer you were talking to?"

She sighed, her smile falling slightly. "That's Red. He and his pikachu were attacked by a swarm of Beedrill in Ilex Forest a little over a week ago. Another trainer found them when he was passing through and brought them in. It's a pity really. Red's lost his voice, and Pikachu can no longer see, but I would dare say those two are hellbent on battling again. Ever since I cleared them to get onto the battlefield, they've been out there every day, morning, noon, and night, practicing." Once all three of his pokeballs were firmly set into the tray, she picked it up. "You know, he's always looking for a battle. If you want, why don't you see if he'll battle you after I heal your pokemon."

"I think I will." He smirked. "Thank you, Nurse Joy." With that, he walked toward the two trainers, who were now sitting with those he'd seen out on the battlefield. All four of their pokemon were running around, playing what looked like tag. While Johnny had to admit it was kind of cute, he had to keep from scowling at the time and energy wasted on something other than training.

Guess these guys aren't that interested in getting stronger. He shrugged, putting on a facade before stopping in front of them. The group slowly ceased talking, looking up at him in question. He, in turn, looked at the raven-haired kid. "Are you Red?" When the trainer nodded, Johnny grinned. "Nurse Joy said you'd be up for a battle. What do ya say? Once she finishes healing my pokemon, how about we go out and have a row?"

Johnny was intrigued by the change in the kid's expression. It hardened, and then he smirked before getting out of his seat and holding out a hand. Night and day was the difference between the kid joking with his friends and the trainer ready for battle. Johnny couldn't wait to get this started.

XxX

Flying over Route 29, Fearow was making good time. His wingbeats were steady, the skies clear, and a healthy tailwind pushed them in the right direction. By Blue's calculation, they would reach Azalea Town within an hour or two. He couldn't wait to arrive if only to get a couple of hours sleep before leaving again. The long hours the night before were catching up with him. As it was, he would try and take a nap on Fearow's back if it weren't that he was afraid of falling. He trusted the flying type not to drop him, but he didn't want to make the flight more difficult than it had to be.

To keep himself distracted he worked on plans, figured out the equipment and gear they would need, considered the rations they would need to gather and the prep they'd need to do before they could traverse Ilex again. He knew there wasn't much of anything available at the pokemart in Azalea, which meant they would have to wait until Goldenrod City to get most of what they needed. Money wasn't a problem at the moment, since he'd raided his grandfather's safe, but they would have to be frugal with other things until Red could get Pikachu up to battling speed and begin making his own income again.

A cold chill shuddered up his spine, and Blue frowned, staring past Fearow's shoulder in the direction they were headed. He'd had bad feelings before, ones warning him of things to come, but never had he felt one as strong as that. Worried for his friend, the one once known as Gary Oak patted his pokemon's shoulder. "Hurry, Fearow."

"Row!" The beak pokemon cawed in return, his wing speed increasing significantly.

XxX

Five minutes into the match, Johnny couldn't believe what he was seeing. The pikachu was blind, yet it ran around the field as if it wasn't. Its speed was incredible, racing circles around Quilava, while managing to dodge any attacks they sent at it. Frankly, he was getting frustrated and disgusted his starter could lose to such a pokemon.

After missing the rodent with Flamethrower for the third time in a row, the arrogant trainer finally snapped. "Come on, Quilava! That pikachu is blind! How are you not able to hit it?" The fire type flinched before the flames on its back flared to life and it Screeched at the electric type. When Pikachu flinched, its ears going back at the sound, Johnny smirked. He'd just found their weakness.

I can't believe I forgot about that. He wanted to facepalm in exasperation. Pikachu were well known for their speed and their line's signature move, Volt Tackle, but something they were less known for was their hearing. It was why he wanted one for himself because the thing could be mad strong if trained up right. Well, that, and Raichu were sick little beasts once they'd been put through a storm or two. He'd seen Lieutenant Surge's Raichu in action once when the Kanto Gym Leader came to the Johto Region and had been astounded by its strength.

"Screech on repeat," he called to his pokemon. "Keep it off balance." The noise was a nuisance, even to his ears, but watching Pikachu become disoriented and shake its head as if to get rid of it was worth it. When the mouse began to stumble, Johnny knew it was time. "Dig!" Quilava disappeared into the dirt, a small hole the only clue of where it had gone. He'd trained the pokemon until it was more dirt than fire to improve its speed, but watching the fire type almost disappear underground was worth it.

What kind of idiot would even bring a blind pokemon to a battle? He snorted at the thought, watching Quilava explode out the ground and send the electric type flying. Pikachu had dropped his guard due to Screech and, with Dig being a ground-type move, he'd just dealt the mouse some serious damage. To his surprise though, Pikachu got back to its feet, shaking off the hit and darting in randomly across the field. How this trainer, Red, could control his pokemon when he couldn't speak, Johnny didn't know.

"Flamethrower ahead of it." The trainer demanded. Quilava snorted and then rose on its hind feet. With a deep breath, the powerful stream smothered the field. Johnny heard the electric type scream and frowned in distaste. Could this thing not handle a Flamethrower? Can't believe even Bugsy said it was strong. "Again." He barked.

Quilava was moving its head from side to side, resulting in the attack's funnel stretching even further than it would have originally. That splash kept catching their opponent, singeing him with every hit. When the fire finally cleared, Pikachu was standing in the middle of the field on shaky paws, the bandages Johnny had seen earlier burned away in the onslaught. Seeing Pikachu's face, he recoiled in disgust, sneering at the unsightly damage. Damn, was all he could think. The mouse's eyes were sewn shut, fresh scars covering the area surrounding them but...that wasn't it. The scars stretched further, all the way down the front of the pokemon's face, becoming deep burn scars.

T-That thing is a freak! It's weak and useless, and a freak. How anyone let that thing live was beyond him. It couldn't battle, couldn't see, and was a complete eyesore all by itself. Angry he'd been lied to, Johnny decided enough was enough. "Quilava, Flamethrower, top-notch." Quilava snapped its head back to look at him, shocked, and he scowled. "NOW!"

The pokemon flinched and turned back to the abomination. Its flames ramped up to full strength, and it blasted another attack at the injured pokemon. When the fire cleared, Pikachu was passed out. Under normal rules, this fight was over, a small part of his mind told him. The rest of his mind exclaimed that this wasn't over until the mouse was nothing but ash. "Again." He commanded.

XxX

Azalea Town was breaking through the trees. It had been a long flight and, after pushing it the last hour, Fearow was as exhausted as Blue felt. More than anything, he was ready for a good nap. Then he would talk plans with Red. Entering the airspace above the town proper, Fearow was banking to bleed off speed when a flash of orange caught Blue's attention. He had been in more than enough battles to recognize the color of a fire-type attack but, when bright enough to see during the day, it piqued his curiosity. Altering Fearow's path just the slightest, they circled above the Pokemon Center, taking in the battle occurring on the field beside it. Or rather...the massacre.

Several pokemon lay across the battlefield, all passed out and badly burnt. At the other end of the field, three guys his age were struggling with another trainer, who appeared to be commanding the fire-type still standing to attack the unconscious pokemon. Halfway through his pass, Blue spotted a figure laying among the pokemon, clothes a charred mess, and paled. Red! Reacting quickly, he grabbed a pokeball from his belt. "Blastoise, Hydro Cannon that fire type!"

After forming from the red energy of the ball, the cannon turtle looked down on the field below and scowled. Gravity took over, taking the water type with it, and Gary watched, anger and fear warring within him. Blastoise landed with a thunderous boom that sent all four trainers sprawling. Cannons filled with water and fired, hitting the fire pokemon and soaking the rest of the field. Once the attack was over, Blue patted Fearow's shoulder.

The bird pokemon didn't need to be told, swooping down to land beside Blastoise. Gary jumped off, running over to where Red lay, still as a board. "Red!" He called, dropping to his knees beside the trainer. "Come on, Red. Don't you dare die on me again."

To Blue's relief, Red coughed up smoke. Turning his head slightly, he cracked open a bleary eye. "Don't know about again." Relieved, Blue's head sank a couple of inches. He chuckled mirthlessly, unable to reply to the trainer's remark. Instead, he glanced back at the trainer, the one the others had been holding back.

"Battle?"

"Battle went wrong." Red shuddered, clinging to the mouse Blue only now noticed in his arms. "Pikachu got knocked out and he tried to have his Quilava kill him."

Hearing that, rage rushed through him. Who in their right mind would kill another person's pokemon? They were all taught, for years before they got their starters, that pokemon were to be cherished. That, when a pokemon passed out in battle, the match was considered over. To continue past that…

Blue snarled, rising and ready to storm toward the other trainer.

"Please don't do anything stupid."

I won't. He silently swore to the injured trainer. When he approached his pokemon who still stood guard in case the fire type got back up, they silently stepped aside, allowing him to pass. The guy was nothing memorable. Mid-length brown hair, skin-tight jeans, a black leather jacket, and only three pokeballs attached to his belt. But the look on his face was what truly infuriated the Pallet Town trainer. He appeared angry and somewhat disappointed he couldn't finish what he started.

Behind the battling trainer, the three that attempted to hold the guy down backed away, their heads lowered as if to stay under Blue's radar. He'd get their side of the story later. Right now…"What in Mew's name did you think you were doing trying to kill those pokemon?" He all but shouted at the trainer.

The other boy snorted, disdain evident in his features. "That Pikachu is blind and weak. It has no business battling. Just like you have no business getting in my face."

Getting in his face? Blue blinked, viridian eyes darkening. You want in your face, I'll get in your face. He snarled loud enough for it to echo across the clearing and, within moments, Blastoise was at his back, an intimidating shadow. "You think that Pikachu is weak? That Pikachu defeated my Blastoise. If you think you can take him down then go ahead and try." That was a lie. Blastoise and Pikachu never had the chance to really go head to head, but this cocky, arrogant trainer didn't need to know that. Even if they hadn't, Blue had seen Pikachu in enough battles to feel safe making that bet.

Slowly, ever so slowly, the trainer looked up at the cannon turtle towering over them. Then he glanced past them, presumably in the direction of his unconscious pokemon. Scowling, he crossed his arms and looked away. "Whatever. Your pokemon doesn't look that strong."

Don't say I didn't warn you. Blue thought. "Blastoise, Hydro—"

"No!"

"Halt!"

Two voices reached him simultaneously. Only one filtered through. Realizing he was about to do what Red asked him not to, Blue exhaled, closing his eyes and tilting his head back. "Cancel that, Blastoise." The turtle merely grunted. Turning around, Blue found Nurse Joy, the resident Gym Leader, and a woman in a blue police officer's uniform running onto the field.

Just the week before, he'd fought Bugsy and won his Hive Badge. The resident Gym Leader was a bit taller than him and wore a light green safari outfit with pouches hanging from the belt, and several extra pockets. His hair was lavender, falling in multiple layers to eventually stop a bit above his shoulder. For all he resembled a bug-type trainer, Blue knew he was much stronger than he appeared.

Beside him, the police officer was easy to recognize. Officer Jenny came from a family similar to Nurse Joy's. Except, all of them wound up working in the law enforcement profession instead of the nursing field. They all wore a blue officer's outfit, a skirt, and black flats, and their hair was always the same shade of pine green. Perhaps the only difference Blue ever noted was that the badges on their hats were unique and informed others which city or town they belonged to.

When Nurse Joy spotted him, her shoulders drooped in relief. "Oh, Gary! Thank goodness you arrived when you did. I wasn't sure I would return in time."

Blue blinked before remembering he'd told this Nurse Joy his actual name, so nodded. "I'm glad I did. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"If you would, I'll—"

"Hold it," Officer Jenny snapped, interrupting the nurse. "I'm afraid this young man isn't going anywhere until I get some answers."

If it had been any other day, Blue would've just rolled along with what the officer was saying. Unfortunately, today was not one of those days. He was only running on a handful of hours sleep, and his temper was much shorter than usual after having to deal with the arrogant trainer. So no, he was not in the mood to hold it. The trainer glared at her. "Do you not see all the injured pokemon around here?" He growled, throwing a hand out to indicate what he meant. "Or how about the injured trainer? They should be priority. I can promise you I won't be leaving town for a bit, so there's no need to get all uppity."

"Gary." Blue's head snapped around at the murmured call, and he found Red attempting to sit up. One hand was shakily propping him up, while the other kept Pikachu tight to his chest. The trainer sighed, his anger shuffled away for the time being.

Walking over to the mute trainer, Blue frowned. "You're gonna injure yourself even more at this rate."

"Pikachu."

Exhaling in exasperation, he knelt before the stubborn trainer. Now he looked closer, Pikachu was pretty badly beaten. It wasn't as bad as the week before, but the electric type wasn't going to be battling for a day or two. "You and Pikachu, always so stubborn. Give him here and I'll make sure Nurse Joy looks after him."

Red huffed, lifting his head to look at Blue blearily. "Tired."

"You and me both." He snarked, but without heat. In response, Red slowly lowered the arm clutching the electric type to him. Once there was enough space, Blue carefully extracted Pikachu and rose, turning to find Nurse Joy already standing there. In the time it took him to convince Red to let go, Chansey had come out with a gurney, on which three unconscious pokemon already sat. Including the pokemon Gary thought was an evolution of the Johto starter, Cyndaquil, and Pikachu, and it appeared that five pokemon got caught up in this fiasco.

Once Nurse Joy gently took the mouse away, Blue turned to help Red, grunting under the trainer's weight.

Once he slung an arm over Blue's shoulder, the mute trainer let out a silent huff. "So much for getting out of here today. I was looking forward to exploring."

Unable to help himself, a small smile lifted Blue's lips as he chuckled. "Yeah well, knowing you it'll only be a day or two until you and Pikachu are raring to go. We'll be on our way through Ilex before you know it. For now, shoulder some of your weight—you're heavy."

"Am not." Red rolled his eyes. However, Blue sensed the weight on his shoulder lessen a few degrees. Together, they limped toward the center's front doors where, once inside, they followed Nurse Joy to the back room. "Set me down over there." Red pointed to the bed on the far side, the same one he'd been in when Blue last spoke to him. "They'll most likely kick you out once you do, so try not to lose your temper with Officer Jenny."

"As if." Blue hissed under his breath. He wasn't like Red, he didn't lose his temper at the slightest provocation...Okay, maybe he had earlier, but that situation was justified. True to the other trainer's words, once Red was resting in the bed, Nurse Joy ushered him out so they could work in peace. Deciding his help may be better used outside, Blue returned to find Blastoise standing in front of the arrogant trainer, now sitting on the ground in handcuffs. From the look on his starter's face, something royally pissed off the water type. And whoever did it was in for a good soaking.

Blue really hoped it was the trainer. Then Blastoise might be able to get away with drowning...He shook his head. While it was tempting to use his pokemon's strength in such a way, it wasn't right. If he followed that line of thinking, he would be no better than Team Rocket, and they were the reason Red and he were here in the first place. Albeit in a roundabout way but still, it was Team Rocket's fault. Sighing to himself at the way his thoughts kept running in random circles, Blue approached Blastoise.

The pokemon looked to him, tilting his head in question, and Blue grinned. "Well done with that Hydro Cannon. Your charge time is improving."

"Blas, Bla." Blastoise smiled, his entire body seeming to light up due to the compliment.

"Do you know where Fearow and the others are?" His starter nodded, gesturing first to the roof of the building, where Blue could just make out Fearow's brown feathers, then to the battlefield around the side. Knowing where he needed to go, Blue sighed. "Alright then. Behave yourself and don't hurt the guy."

"Blas." The cannon turtle rumbled, appearing a bit down. Blue just shook his head and walked around the corner. There he found Officer Jenny interrogating the three other trainers. He didn't want to do this. If anything, he wanted to step inside the center and collapse into a chair for a week. Knowing he couldn't though, he approached the officer. It would be a long day.