Pokenapper's Identity Revealed by WyldClaw

Summary: I don't own any Pokemon characters mentioned in this chapter asides my OC from Devon {OC from Cyndaquil's Painful Past} and Espreon. In this chapter we discover who sent the Gengar that pokenapped Cyndaquil in the previous chapter () Are translated Pokémon speech, "" are humans talking, italics are thoughts. I refer to the events of Cyndaquil's Painful Past.

Last revised: 1/19/2020

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What in the world hit my head? Cyndaquil thought as she groggily opened her eyes. She still felt a little woozy like she was just waking up. What happened?

The Fire type shrew Pokemon blinked her eyes until her eyes adjusted to her eyes adjusted. She gazed around. She was in a small room in a cabin with pictures of landscapes on the wall. There was a black lump of rags in one corner. She gazed down and saw that her right foreleg had a big bruise on it and smelled of dried blood. (Oww.) She licked the wound to make it feel slightly better. Okaythis isn't the gym. Where am I? How did I get here?

She stopped when she heard a familiar cold voice talking to someone in the other room. A chill went through her "Blasted Cyndaquil. Yeah... The same one from a few years ago..."

(No. It c can't be. I thought h-he was in jail.) She whispered. She heard that voice in her deepest nightmares.

It was the voice of Devon, her abusive old 'trainer' and her adopted mother' Quilava' s killer. Quilava had adopted her when the older fire type had saved her egg outside Devon's compound and had imprinted on her when she hatched – though she had not discovered that until quite recently. The first six months of her life had been under Devon's cruel rule. He had whipped, abused, and starved her-even threatening to place the young Pokemon in pit fights-illegal underground no-holds-barred- anything goes brutal battles. Quilava and her managed to escape. However his Ursaring had injured them and knocked her into a grove of tree and into what he believed was a pond -when in reality she landed into a huge mud puddle that had masked her scent. She got up to the top of the grove and bit her tongue when she saw Devon shoot Quilava. When she was sure the sadistic human and his Ursaring were gone she went up to Quilava and stayed with her during her last few minutes. The heartbroken Cyndaquil had been taken to the nearby Pokemon Center and gotten her injuries healed before being released into the wild. She had been told by Quilava's spirit that Devon would be locked up in jail for a while.

H-How did he get out? She tought.

"What do you mean?" Devon laughed. "Yeah… yeah. He probably thinks those morons took it … " she gulped-She knew exactly who the morons Devon mentioned were: James, Jessie and Meowth. There were a few minute pauses. "Yeah. That plan could definitely work. . He's used to those dimwits following him..."

She stopped listening to Devon. (I have to get out of here fast.) She said to herself as she got to her paws. The second her injured foreleg touched the floor a sharp blast of pain shot through her body and she winced. (I guess I'll have to limp out of here).

She tried to limp as much as she could on three legs, each step painful on her bruised leg. She got just a few inches away when her body started twitching beyond her control and fell to the floor. It was like a Psychic Pokémon had control of her body. (Wh-wh-what's happening?)

Something on the lump she had taken for rags shone brightly. The figure got up and laughed. (You thought it would be easy to leave?) It said as it walked over to her and she felt her body stop twitching. She saw it was an Umbreon but the strangest looking one she had ever seen. The creature's fur was like an Espeon- lilac until about halfway through its body when it suddenly became the midnight black of an Umbreon. The golden rings of an Umbrian's coat were all over its body. Its muzzle was an Umbreon's. It had the front paws of an Espeon as well as the forehead jewel, right eye and ear. It's left ear and eye was that of an Umbreon. It had a long whip-like tail like an Espeon but it was black & split into three sharp tips. In short the creature was an Espeon / Umbreon mix.

It bared its sharp looking fangs as it reached her and used its tail to pin her to the floor. (W-what are you?) She asked.

(Espreon.)

She tried to get free but it was no use. (You have 'eon' as part of your n-name? d-does that mean you're a new eevee evolution?)

It sneered as it studied her. (I'm not telling you. You look like a fighter. I can make Master go easy on you. Its eyes gleamed hungrily as it looked her over. If you co-operate). One of its paws stroked her face. And she shivered at the tough (Then after things settle down and if the big boss doesn't want you I can have some… fun with you. )

Fun with me? a memory of a trembling Quilava being forced into their cramped cell at Devon's compound came into her mind. As its paw came across her mouth she bit it. (Forget it ugly! N-Never.)

The hybrid roared with rage. (You little She-Arcanine!) Within moments it lifted its tail, then heavily swiped her, knocking her back to the wall. She hit it –wincing in pain as she hit something invisible on it-and fell to the floor. She shrank back, shivering as it advanced. (When I get my claws on you-)

She felt vibrations and heard footsteps approach them. She thought she felt her heart skip a beat when she heard Devon's cold familiar voice -closer than ever-say, "Espreon, leave it. You'll have your chance to beat it up but we need it alive... for now."

She looked up, past mud-caked sneakers, past the jeans into the human's face. (Y-y-you!) She gasped. . Wearing a cloak and old splattered jeans was the one human she thought she'd never see again in her lifetime: Devon. He looked a few years older. But something wasn't right about him- he smelled like lots of different Pokémon. But how is he out of jail? It can't be for good behavior. Quilava's ghost told me that he was in jail. His cold amber eyes glared. She saw an electric whip in one hand.

" Hello runt. Remember me?" He cruelly smiled down at the little fire type as she shivered. He raised the whip into the air. " You'll be my ticket to the big time. " His smile faded. "Here's something I should have ages ago: a taste of my electro-whip!"

(I don't think so) she shook her head as she opened her mouth to use Ember to burn it but all that came out was a puff of smoke. (Huh what gives?) She tried repeatedly to try to ignite the flame on her back but found she couldn't.

Devon laughed, as did the Espreon. He put the whip down and drew out a short knife from a sheath on his jeans as well as a small glass vial "What do ya know, Espreon? The runt is all smoked out ".

(It can't use any fire attacks) the creature smirked. (It's too weak from being in the ice-cold water).

Being in the water?

She racked her brains and Like a Thunderbolt attack it hit her.

That weird whirlpool.

Getting rescued by Ash and Totodile,

The Seaweed coming to life .

. the thick smokes clouds.

Seeing something with a rag near Ash's mouth,

biting it.

That Gengar …

She backed away from her former abuser. (You fiend. You had that Gengar p-pokenap me.)

Devon didn't say anything She opened her mouth to use Swift attack but in a flash the hybrid pounced on her! It pinned her to the floor with its claws extended -pressed against her throat. (You continue that attack and I'll slash your throat quicker than you can blink. Understand? ) It hissed.

She nodded and stopped. Once she did that, Espreon removed its paws and walked away. She got up to her own paws to catch her breath when she saw the hybrid turn back around and look at her. Its eyes glowed red and she saw a purple outline cover her body.

(Let me go! Let me go!) She cried as was lifted into the air, unable to move until she was face to face with Devon. (Wh-why did you p-pokenap -) She gasped when she saw the blade and vial in Devon's hands.

"You think I'd steal a wimp like you? You can't do any attacks without tiring out," he laughed.

I CAN use attacks

. Ash had been really patient when he was training her. He continued, "Who'd want you anyways? Wouldn't fetch much at an auction, despite the fact wild Cyndaquils are rare and hardly found in the wild."

I'm not wild. I have a trainer

. A stab of longing hit her. (Lemme go.) She struggled. (I'm nothing to you.)

"Oh yes you are – you're my valuable hostage. Not only can I get revenge on you for escaping but also you are now my valuable pawn. You messed things up and stopped my … Gengar. From getting some things."

I messed things up? All I did was save Ash and Pikachu from that Gengar that was trying to- trying to. - Oh no!

A painful cold sensation brought her out of her thoughts.

(AHHH!) She looked down and yelped in pain as Devon drew a deep line on her left paw with the knife. A stream of red appeared. He smirked as it splashed into the vial and she wanted to faint. When the bottle was over half full, he put a stopper in the top. He put the knife back in its holder, and moved his hand in front of the cut. She saw it turn black for a few seconds. He removed his hand and she was shocked to see there was no cut just a scar.

"Let it go, Espreon. " he commanded.

Its eyes went back to the regular color as the outline around her disappeared. She fell to the floor on her injured foreleg and the pain exploded. (Wh-why? Why did your Gengar t-try to take them?)

Espreon swiped its tail, across her cheek. She cried as red bloody lines appeared where it hit. (That's for us to know and you never to find out) it growled. (You're bait. so start acting like it!)

(No. I won't. ) She knew what she had to do. She had to get away from her evil ex-trainer/abuser even if she had to limp all the way there and find Ash or a police station, she tried to limp to the other side of the room but she only made it a few feet when the jewel on Espreon's forehead pulsed. She looked up as a shadowy Spider Web net appeared over her, wrapped around her body and stuck her to the floor. (Let me go!) She tried to break free but it was too strong. She was trapped! Devon put away the vial and the knife, picked up the whip and walked over to her, Espreon at his side. Somebody help me. Somebody. Anybody. Help

He reached the fire type and looked down at her, amused as she struggled to get free. "Don't try to escape Espreon's Shadow Hold because you can't. You wouldn't know where he is? " She shook her head. "No matter. I've been wanting to do this for a while." he raised the whip into the air and it cut through the air.

(YEEEEOOOOOOOW!) She screamed in pain as she felt the whip smack her back and break the skin.

" Scream all you want this cabin has a soundproof barrier against the walls. No one can hear you." He said as he repeatedly brought the whip down on her back. Howls of pain filled the shack.

X scene change X scene change X scene change X scene change X

Meanwhile in the Mahogany Town Medical center

(.He wake up?) Ash heard his Totodile say in a sad tone. Huh? Wake up?

"Don't know, Totodile. He was in that water for quite a while "Misty was telling him

(Don't be sad. You got him out of there as quick as you could once we got Pryce's Seels to smash the ice.) He heard Noctowl tell him.

(You did your best.)

(I know Phanpy…)

(You saved Daddy.)

(Yeah…)

(He's right.)

(Look I saw his eyes flutter)

"Huh?" Ash opened his eyes and saw Pikachu, Bayleef, Noctowl, Phanpy, Totodile, Misty and Togepi all staring at him.

Not even half a minute later, Pikachu, Noctowl, Phanpy, Togepi and Totodile jumped on him in a group hug while Bayleef, who was too big to jump on him without hurting him began licking him. At the same time they all cried

(Daddy!)

(Ash!)

(Ash!)

(You're okay!)

(We thought you were a goner)

(I thought you were.

(You almost-)

"Guys I need air." the teen said under the mass of fur, feathers and Pokémon.

Totodile and Phanpy jumped off the bed while Noctowl flew over to the desk as Bayleef stopped licking his face. Misty sat next to him on the bed and Pikachu moved out of the way so she could hug him. He chuckled nervously. " ."

He knew what was coming from her. She flung her arms around him in a huge hug and kissed him on the cheek. "Don't 'hi' me. You scared the daylights out of me Ash. Of all the stupid things you've done since I've known you, that stunt's must be near at the top of the list. What were you thinking, diving in that cold water?"

"I h-had to go in-" he sneezed twice. "C-C- Cyndaquil-". He stopped, sat up and looked around the room; there was no sign of her. "Wait a minute. Where is she?"

His Pokémon looked sad. (We don't know.) Pikachu admitted. (When the smoke cleared or whatever it was, you were back in the pool, falling towards the bottom and the hole was covered up with a thick Ice Beam)

(You looked like you were asleep in the water.) Togepi said.

Totodile looked ashamed. (One of Pryce's Seels used Horn Drill to break the ice and then I had to go get your again) He gazed at the floor (When I got you, you were already blue) he added. (I didn't see her so I thought you recalled her. It's my fault she's gone.)

He hung his head low. Ash patted him on the head. "It's not your fault," he mumbled. "It's mine, I told her to jump in the water in the first place.

Noctowl carefully plucked two items from the desk and flew over to her trainer. (I found these when I flew for the doctor.) The owl opened her talon to reveal the items.

Ash took the two items from the shiny owl and studied them. They were a bottle cap and a small rose. His face went white as he put them on the desk. Jessie, James and Meowth. He jumped out of the bed. "Those three are -" he started to say before he began sneezing. "Achoo! Achoo! "

(Easy there) Bayleef nudged him back on the bed with her vines. (You're still not well)

"She's right you know." Misty told him. "The doctor told us that you had to rest for two or three days. Pryce said that pool water was kept at arctic temperatures."

He groaned. "How many days has it been?"

(About a day and a half) Pikachu answered,

"But-" he began as he sneezed a few times.

"You're still weak from the water." Misty remarked.

Togepi walked onto the bed. (Don't worry daddy. we're gonna find her) he chirped. (But you must get better first.)

Bayleef looked over at her trainer. She knew that when it came to those three idiots he didn't waste a minute following them. (I know it's hard for you. We all want to get her back-)

Her teammates nodded in agreement. They knew about those dimwits-even Phanpy. (But we can't go looking for her on our own) Totodile pointed out

(That's right) Pikachu added. (Without a human with us.)

(We'd get caught, 'specially me, Pikachu and Noctowl) Phanpy finished.

(Don't you worry little one. They wouldn't take you without going through the rest of us first) Noctowl told her, puffing out her chest and spreading her shiny wings. Phanpy smiled-she hadn't been with them for that long but already she had a close bond with her teammates/friends.

(Mommy would want to stay here with you) Togepi put in.

The teen looked at the wistful looks on their faces. He let out a sigh. "Okay, I know when I'm outnumbered."

(Pryce dropped off your badge while you were out cold) Pikachu commented. (It's on the bedside table)

Ash looked at the bedside table. With one hand he carefully picked up the blue snowflake shaped badge and looked at it. "But we never finished the battle...

Totodile went to his side. (He said you earned it by not wanting to leave her behind)

"Totodile's right." Misty added. "He also said that it showed that you cared a lot for your Pokémon."

The trainer sighed. His Pokémon looked at him sadly. It just didn't seem right to him. Even a new badge isn't cheering him up

Bayleef thought. He's still upset about Cyndaquil.

You look so sad. The others told me how happy you get when you win a badge

Phanpy felt bad for her trainer.

Noctowl looked at her trainer. This should be a happy occasion for him not a sad one.

Totodile looked at Pikachu, Misty and Ash. He knew that it wasn't worth it to celebrate a new badge win without everyone there. (We'll find her)

"I shouldn't even have gotten this, "he mumbled as he put the badge back on the table. "I didn't deserve it."

(Yes you do daddy) Togepi told him. He looked at the little Pokémon. (You were weally worried about Cyndaquil when she was in the water and you did your best to keep her in the battle.)

(When we were in the pool and we were all tangled in that bed of seaweed, you wouldn't give up until she was freed first then got me out.) Totodile added.

"That's true."

"And when came out, you wanted to make sure she was safe first before yourself."

He blushed at his girlfriend's words. Well, she was in that water longer than I was at the time...

(It's like when we were climbing up the mountain on Navel Island and I collapsed because of the intense cold. You didn't forfeit. You wrapped me in your vest until we got to the top at the cost of your own heath) the electric mouse pointed out.

"I guess you're all right. It's just hard that it was Cyndaquil's battle and they took her..."

(We'll find her. 'Member how the morons took Pikachu and me but we escaped and you found us? And you risked your life to save mine when I nearly went over that waterfall. ) Phanpy told him

The boy smiled slightly at the memory. "Y-yeah."

(Daddy, don't worry, we'll get her back) Togepi smiled. At what price? His hands trembled as he petted Pikachu. What if they use her as a bargaining chip like they did with Misty? Or they snag Pikachu & me and then take her as well? What if-

"Ash, you okay?"

"Yeah Mist, I'm- just -ACHHOOOO! ACHHOOOO!"

Pikachu looked at his friend. (You still haven't recovered. You won't be able to help find those idiots if you don't get better)

If they don't find us first

He thought. "When I get my hands on them, I'll make them regret ever barging in on my battle."

Everyone jumped in about what they would do. (When we find those idiots, I'll bite them really good) Totodile slashed at the air with his claws.

(I'll Body Slam them) Bayleef added.

(I'll hypnotize them and then give them a huge blast of my Confusion. Stupid jerks) Noctowl hooted.

(I'll zap them with my electric attacks) Pikachu chimed.

(Can I get them too?) Phanpy asked, shuffling her feet. (I know I'm new and all but I want to beat them)

Her trainer looked down at the ground type. "You can use your Rollout against them. It's really powerful"

(I can help too. Watch this Daddy) Togepi waved his fingers, which glowed white.

Pikachu sprang off the bed quickly -one never knew what would happen with Metronome. They stopped glowing. Togepi opened his mouth and a small cloud of sparkling blue powder came out. It floated towards Ash and landed right on his face. "That's use- "he yawned as the Sleep Powder took effect. His head hit the pillow and he was fast asleep within seconds.

Togepi turned to Misty (Did I do well, mommy? I didn't know I was going to end up using sleep powder. It just came to me. )

"Yes sweetie. He needs that extra sleep if we're going after them." She pulled the covers over him & looked at him. She returned everyone but Togepi and Pikachu to their pokéballs, minimized them and put them on the bedside table next to the badge.

Next she sat in the chair next to the bed and Togepi jumped up on to her lap. Pikachu looked out the window from his spot on the floor. (It doesn't make sense) he said out loud

"What doesn't, Pikachu?" Misty asked.

He faced them. (Don't you find it a bit strange that Meowth Jessie and James didn't snag ash and I in there?)

"It is a little bit odd, " she admitted.

(Plus they normally say their dumb motto thing but I didn't hear it) Togepi piped in.

"Yeah." A slight smile crept on the girl's face. "Maybe they finally realized how pathetic it is."

(Try annoying and stupid) Pikachu muttered. (Maybe they' knew we'd know it was them. but it's like their trademark- they have to do it. But I didn't smell any roses or hairballs.)

(I don't get it. Why would the dummyheads leave daddy and you if they attacked? ) Togepi asked.

(Good point.) Pikachu said. (I hate to admit it but I know their methods or. used to. They used to try to isolate me with some diguise/trap and use something that absorbs my powers like a cage or a net to trap me. But after … that incident on the air ship a few months ago …) the yellow Pokemon shivered and looked away for a a few seconds before looking back . The girl knew that both he and her boyfriend didn't like bringing up that incident with Lawrence and Giovanni when their lives changed forever. (I mean ..we were sitting targets right there. They should have snagged us and run off. )

Togepi had an idea. (-What if Cyndaquil got in their way when they got closer to you and daddy and-and-)

"Saved them by risking her life?" Misty finished. "I think you're right."

(I still don't like It. it's not their usual method) admitted the mouse. (They like disguises.)

"And don't forget about rubber gloves for you."

Pikachu groaned. I hate those things. He gazed out the window again for a few minutes then looked back at them. (What if it wasn't them? What if someone wanted us to think the attack came from them? what if.. what it was Someone we haven't met yet ) He inquired.

No one could answer that theory . They didn't say anything more. One way or another they would find those three dim-bulbs and that would lead them to Cyndaquil

To be continued...