PoKéMoN

Avenger - by Ben Russell-Gough

Legal Disclaimer

Pokémon, the Pocket Monsters and their human friends and enemies are all the sole copyright and trademark property of Nintendo Entertainment, Game Freak Software and 4 Kids Productions. No breach of any copyright or legal property is intended.

Author's Notes

This is my first Pokémon fic. I don't know all the monsters or all the moves. I base my story purely on what I've seen of the cartoon. I thank all the other Pokémon writers on this board for providing plenty of inspiration. Special thanks to Charles "RocketBoy" Reilly, Wind, Joshua Falken, Chuchino and Catalina Storm for their comments, advice and encouragement.

All right, all right, so I screwed up! Oops! I've just found out that Mondo is the fourth member of Jessie & James' team. He is only slightly older than Ash and Misty. This is a problem because I have been portraying him as a 45-year old man.

Okay, from now on there are two Mondos. The one who worked with Jessie and James is the grandson of Giovanni's aide.

Text in [squared-off brackets] indicates the translation of a Pokémon's language into English.

Text in Italics but not in quotes indicates thoughts or psychic communication.

Ages: Ash is 17; Misty has just turned 19; Brock is 25; Jessie and James are both 24; Richie is 17; Duplicia is 18; Sabrina is 20; Lance is 16; Joy is 29.

Censor: R (Equivalent to UK '15' Certificate)

Content Warning: Swearing, violence and mature topics

Book 2 – Team Rocket Strikes Back

What has gone before…

Ash Ketchum, former League Supreme Champion is a man on a mission. With his allies, he has formed Team Thunderbolt, a Pokémon guerrilla group dedicated to the overthrow of the evil Team Rocket terrorist organisation let by his father, Giovanni diRocketti.

For the last six months, the Thunderbolts have been fighting non-stop, destroying Team Rocket facilities and capturing thousands of Team Rocket agents. But now the good times seem to be coming to an end. Giovanni has at last determined that his son is responsible for the attacks on his organisation. Impressed at his performance, he has decided that Ash's destiny lies at his side. He is aided in his quest to turn Ash to the path of evil by a mysterious betrayer who stands closer to Ash than he might ever believe…

***

Giovanni waited until Mondo was out of the office before re-opening the call waiting on his videophone. "I'm sorry about that," he said conversationally. "Internal team business. You know how it is."

"I understand," replied the person on the screen. "So we are agreed then?"

"Yes," Giovanni said. "You will ensure Ash Ketchum is in the place we agreed at the time we agreed and my people will do the rest."

"And I will get my money?" the Betrayer added.

Giovanni snorted to himself. Yes you pitiful traitor, you will get your reward. Giovanni hated traitors; traitors were selfish creatures who disrupted order for their own ends. He would like to show this one the contempt that he deserved, but he had an illusion to maintain. "Twenty-million US Dollars, as agreed," Giovanni confirmed. "However, my young friend, please remember that my reach is long and my vengeance is sure. Don't think of double-crossing me."

"Why would I do that?" the Betrayer asked with an ingenuous smile. "I want Ketchum out of the way. So do you. We both get exactly what we wanted."

"Indeed we do," Giovanni replied with a secret smile. He had no doubt that his son would want revenge for this particular act of childish spite. When the time came, claiming that vengeance would be his final test. "I will forward payment to a special account in Viridian City when you have delivered Ketchum to my agents. Giovanni out."

Giovanni cut the call and leaned back in his chair. He pondered over the tactics he was intending to use and found them adequate. Soon, very soon, the world would tremble at the will of Giovanni diRocketti and of his son. "Mondo," he said, activating his intercom. "Connect me with Team Black Sigma. I have a new assignment for Butch and Cassidy."

And now the continuation…

Chapter 3 – Betrayals Darker than Death or Night

Team Thunderbolt was camping in the Viridian Forest just north of Viridian City.

Ash sat down next to Sabrina and handed her a coffee. "Now tell me exactly what you saw in that precognitive flash," he asked her in a kind tone.

Sabrina closed her piercing blue eyes for a moment and drew in a deep breath. "Ash," she said. "You have to understand that psi precognitive visions are not accurate prophecy, they are… visions of probability. It is what might be based on what is happening outside of your immediate vicinity, do you understand that?"

Ash nodded. "Any clue you can give me is welcome, Sabrina," he replied.

Sabrina smiled gently. She could sense the pain and the fatigue in Ash's mind. The young man was only seventeen, and he was now leading a fight to the death against his own father. She wished she could ease that burden, but what she was about to do could only make things worse. "There are no words for what I saw," Sabrina explained. "Let me show you instead."

Ash paled at the thought of direct psychic contact, but recovered well. He nodded consent and Sabrina leaned across and brushed her long fingers against Ash's temples. Ash closed his eyes and suddenly his head exploded with images and sensations that crashed across his brain faster than his synapses could respond…

Betrayal… I am defeated… I see figures wearing Team Rocket uniforms closing in on me, as I lie trapped…

Pain… I have been chained up… Butch and Cassidy are sneering down at me…

More pain… my father's voice… "You are my son. You are just like me, no matter how you deny it! My brother knew this to be true! Why else would he have kept you hidden from me? You are Team Rocket, body and soul! It is your destiny!"

Pallet Town in flames… I leap to Moltres' back and we fly away…

My mother… Professor Oak… captured! I see them in chains in cells somewhere…

I feel rage… a blood red fury… I see Gary Oak in chains, being led into my presence… I am beating him relentlessly. His blood splatters my clothing… seeing his terror and his pain makes me feel good…

I am in Team Rocket's Headquarters… in my father's presence… Giovanni is telling me my place is at his side… He is holding a hand out to me in friendship… Offering me a place in Team Rocket…

I wear a uniform… as I lead a group of Trainers against an army somewhere… we are winning… none can stand against our power and skill… I feel contempt for those who we fight… resistance is pointless…

I am much older…I sit at a desk in an office high up in some kind of fortress… Misty is sitting on the desk… Raichu is sitting in my lap… Two young people in… a uniform… are reporting to me… I can hear the words… "Our units are in place worldwide, sir. They are ready to begin the attack on your order."

I rise… Misty rises too and stands at my side… "I will lead the attack on New York and the UN General Assembly myself…" I announce to my subordinates…

"NO!" Ash screamed. He knocked Sabrina's hands away and he fell onto his back. Ash writhed in pain as his brain's impulses slowed down to their normal rate.

"Ash!" Misty yelled as she ran over. "Alright, Sabrina, what did you do to him?"

"He will be all right," Sabrina replied, withdrawing into her usual detached and dignified reserve. Even as she said that, Ash was recovering.

Ash pulled himself to his feet. "It's okay, Misty," he gasped. Ash reeled for a moment before getting his bearings back. "Sabrina… what did I just see?"

"That was what I saw, Ash," Sabrina said gently. "I saw your destiny as it stands if nothing changes."

"A lot of it was indistinct," Ash said. "I… I was wearing a uniform… but I couldn't see what kind. Do you know any time scale for the fulfilment of this vision?"

Sabrina chuckled. "Ash, this isn't a mathematical projection, it is a vision of a potential future quantum state of reality. Time has no meaning on the levels that psionic talents work. It is the future. It is up to you how long it takes or whether you will act to change your path."

Ash sighed and seemed to sag in on himself. "Can you at least tell me whether this future is good or evil?" he asked gently.

Sabrina shook her head with a slight smile. "Ash, can you show me a particle of justice? Or an atom of love? Or a molecule of good? Those are human concepts and psionic phenomena do not reflect them. All I can tell you is what I said before: This is what will be if nothing changes."

Ash closed his eyes for a long moment before regaining his composure. He looked Misty in the eyes and she was surprised at the resolution and the strength she saw there. "Misty," Ash said. "Call the others. I've got to tell them something."

But as it turns out, Ash never did have the chance to hold that meeting. As soon as he stopped speaking, his mobile phone started ringing in his backpack.

Misty stared at it in disbelief. "I don't believe it, who could be calling you after all this time?"

"Whatever it is, it's bad news," Ash replied. "I left the number with Professor Oak and my mother for use in emergencies only." He saw again in his head the images of Pallet Town aflame. Motivated by fear… no terror, he ran over and pulled out the phone. "Ketchum."

"Ash? Thank god, I thought that Grandpa was insane when he told me that I could just phone you up!"

"Gary, is that you?" Ash asked in surprise.

"Yeah, it's me," Gary Oak replied. "Ash, I know that this might sound weird after all the arguments we've had, but I need your help." Ash could barely recognise Gary's voice. He had never heard his incredibly self-confident friend so utterly consumed by fear. "I need it badly, Ash old buddy, and I need it now."

"Where can I find you?" Ash asked.

***

Ash helped Gary down from Charizard's back and pulled off his blindfold. It was a security precaution Gary understood, but didn't like really. Frankly, Ash was getting too into this 'freedom fighter' role for his comfort.

He looked around the group of Ash's associates and felt a little nervous. After all, these ten people had been fighting a war with Team Rocket for the last six months. Who knows how they would react if they didn't like what they were going to hear? What made it even more unnerving was the presence of those two ex-terrorists, Jessie and James. What if Ash hadn't properly domesticated them yet? Yes there were many risks, but this was too important for him to feel fear.

Gary tried to overcome his nerves with a little of his usual bombast. He walked over to Misty and courteously kissed her hand. "Ms. Waterflower, you are still a beauty that lights up the world," he announced.

Misty rolled her eyes as Jessie, Joy, Sabrina and Duplicia all giggled. "And you are still a strutting Jigglypuff, Gary," Misty replied. "How comforting to know some things never change." Gary rolled his eyes at her insult. Misty stuck out her tongue and pulled down an eyelid. Suddenly, Gary, Misty and Ash were all laughing. This brought back good memories of more innocent times.

Gary turned to Ash. "Thanks for picking me up, Ash," Gary said with barely concealed sarcasm. "I enjoy being plucked off of the road from the air."

"It was necessary, Gary," Ash replied. "You know the number of people we have looking for us. I could hardly just give you directions."

Gary laughed. "Nah, you couldn't, could you? Especially given you well-known blood feud with maps."

Ash rolled his eyes. Yes, this was Gary Oak all right: sanctimonious, sarcastic and a general pain-in-the-arse. "Gary if you want to abuse me, this isn't a good time."

Gary sobered. "Oh I agree, Cuz," he replied. "We are in deep shit, and so is our home town, that is why I had to find you."

The images from Sabrina's vision flashed up into Ash's mind again. "What the hell are you talking about?" Ash asked, sounding more forceful than he intended.

Gary looked around at the camp and his eyes lit up when he saw the campfire and the coffee pot simmering away. "Do you mind if we sit down?" he asked. "I've been driving for the last day trying to find you before I remembered Grandpa and the emergency contact number."

Ash nodded and gestured for him to precede him. Ash, Misty and Gary sat down. Jessie, James, Brock and Joy hovered in the background. Ash passed around some cups of coffee before looking Gary in the face. "So what is this big threat?" Ash asked, trying to keep his tone light.

"I was in a bar the other day," Gary revealed. "A little roadside place just outside of Viridian, but that doesn't matter. Anyway, there was this big guy with green hair and this woman with blond hair in pigtails. They were enjoying a few too many, you know? Anyway, they were pretty pleased with themselves. The big guy says in this voice that sounds like two rusty tin cans being ground together: 'When we hit that place, it'll bring him out of the woodwork for sure.'"

Gary paused and looked at his audience. Ash's face was unreadable, but he saw James tense and clench his fists. He mouthed names: 'Butch and Cassidy.' Yep, he was right about who it was.

"Keep talking," Ash said neutrally.

"Well I slide up nice and inconspicuous," Gary continued. "I mean these two look dangerous, real dangerous. I make like a drunk and listen in. The woman says, 'Yeah, you got to admit the Boss is ambitious! Take out a whole town just to get one guy!'

"The guy laughs real nasty and replies, 'Well that's what you get for being the hometown of the guy who runs Team Thunderbolt.' Anyway, I'm thinking, 'Team Thunderbolt, what the hell is that?' Then it hits me. The Thunderbolt emblem that was being left behind every time someone hits a Team Rocket base! They are talking about destroying a town to get back at the guy in charge of them!

"Now this is serious stuff, Ash. I am pretty much pissing myself at this point, when it gets to the worst bit. They are both laughing in a pretty nasty way. The big guy starts smiling really sick and says, 'I'm looking forward to getting a little pleasure out of his mother, that delicious redhead. What did the Boss say her name was?'

"And the blonde slasher chick replies 'Delilah Ketchum.'"

Ash clenched his fist so hard and so quickly that he crushed his metal coffee mug in his hand sending the beverage spurting across his jacket. Misty and Gary both jumped at the sudden movement. Ash dived forward and grabbed Gary by the lapels of his shirt. "You… you are sure about this, Gary?" he asked in horror.

Gary nodded grimly. "I got out of there so fast, Ash," he said. "All I could think of was to find you. I mean… this is Team Rocket we're talking about here. I couldn't possibly handle them myself. But with you… You know how good we are together Ash, we're team supreme!"

Ash nodded. It was all fitting together. "Gary," he finally said, "I've got to discuss this with my friends. Can you wait here for me."

"What is there to discuss?" Gary asked in horror. "Ash, they are going to level our town! God knows what they'll do to our families! We've got to go now!"

"Gary, I said wait," Ash shouted.

Gary reeled back, his face pale with terror. "Okay, man," he said, gesturing placatingly, "okay…"

***

"You are going to do what?" James asked, his voice rising to an amazed squeak.

"Ash you can't," Jessie said urgently. "Even if this isn't a trap, then they are still ready for you to turn up!"

"So what are you suggesting, Jessie?" Ash asked angrily. "That I just sit here and wait for them to do to my home and family what they did to James' home and family?" James tensed right up and his face lost all hint of expression and he almost fell over. Ash grabbed him. "Oh God, James I'm sorry," Ash said gently. "I had no right to bring it up…"

"No…" James snapped. "No, you are right Ash, you can't turn your back on your home and family." James straightened and looked his friend in the eye. "That is why I'm coming too."

"And me," Misty snapped. Jessie, Brock and Joy were only seconds behind in their own affirmation.

"Guys," Ash raised his hands. "I appreciate this, but I am not looking for volunteers." When everyone quietened down, Ash continued. "Remember Sabrina's vision: the betrayal. I don't know what form that will take but, as Jessie says, this whole attack on Pallet is very likely just a trap to get us. I can't believe that Butch and Cassidy would be so stupid to be standing around in a public bar boasting about what they were about to do. They must have been tracking Gary and wanted to use him as bait or something."

"If you know it is a trap, they why are you going?" Misty asked in a desperate tone of voice.

"Because I can't turn my back on all those innocent people," Ash replied gently. "But I can't risk all of you because of this. I want the rest of you to keep up your operations, keep up the pressure on Team Rocket. If all goes well, I will be back in a few days at the most."

Misty blinked furiously, trying to keep the tears out of her eyes, but she failed. "Damn it, Ash," she choked, "why do you have to be so blasted heroic all the time?"

Ash grinned and shrugged. "It's just me, I guess," he said. He leaned forward and kissed her gently. "You know I have to do this, don't you?" A note of pleading entered his tone.

"I do, but…" Misty shook her head, her wonderful strong spirit poking through her grief. "Ash if you get yourself killed, I won't ever talk to you again, you get that?"

Ash laughed. "Don't worry, Misty," he said. "No matter how you look at it, I don't think death is my destiny quite yet."

"Ash is right," Brock suddenly announced. Ash turned and grinned at his friend in thanks. "I don't like it," Brock admitted, "but he is right that this is probably a trap. If he does not respond, then who knows how Team Rocket would respond to not getting its' prize? In any case, he can't risk the rest of us. Assuming Sabrina's vision is correct…"

"Assuming…?" Sabrina asked in disgust.

"Assuming it is correct," Brock continued as if the blond psychic had not spoken, "then Ash's betrayal and the destruction of Pallet seem to be the only events that are not somehow conditional on his actions. The only think he can do is respond."

"Thanks, man," Ash replied. He turned back to his closest associates. "Misty," he said to his lover, "I'm putting you in charge until I get back. Give 'em hell."

There was a long surprised pause. "Me?" Misty asked. "Ash, I don't think so. I'm not up to this job!"

"You are a leader," Ash replied, "I know that much. On occasion, you have even led me!"

Misty laughed. "That's true," she admitted. "Be careful, Ash."

"Hey, it's me," Ash replied with his usual cocky smile. Perhaps only Misty saw the fear in his eyes.

"Are you sure I can't convince you to let me and Jessie come with you?" James asked quietly. Ash shook his head. James' eyes began to mist up a little. "Then I'll just wish you the best of fortune, Ash," he concluded quietly.

"Gary!" Ash shouted. His cousin looked up.

"Yeah, man?"

"We're heading back home," Ash told him. He saw Gary sag with an almost comical relief.

After a few minutes, Ash had changed back into his 'civvies' of black tee shirt, blue and white sports jacket and blue jeans. He had a Pokébelt on with Charizard, Venusaur, Wartortle, Pidgeot and Kadabra. He shouldered his pack and walked over to Gary. As the other Thunderbolts watched, Ash released Charizard and leapt to the red dragon's shoulder. He pulled his cousin up behind him.

"Ash!" Misty suddenly shouted. She ran over and touched his leg, looking up at him desperately. "I love you," she whispered.

Ash smiled down at her his devotion to her shining from his eyes. "I know," he said. "Let's go, Charizard!"

"CHAAAARRRRR!" Charizard roared and launched himself into the air.

***

Pretty soon, Ash and Gary were racing for Pallet in Gary's bright red Lamborghini Diablo. In a Diablo, that means 215 mph. No Security Police vehicle in existence could even get close, let alone give the two Trainers from Pallet Town a ticket. "Tell me again how the hell you got this machine," Ash asked over the howl of the V12 supercharged monster in the back.

Gary laughed hollowly. "It's easy when your grandpa owns the biggest bunch of Pokémon patents on Earth," he reminded Ash. "The Pokédex? The Super- and Ultra-type Pokéballs? The teleportation network all the Pokémon Centres use? They're all his. My monthly allowance is, like, four figures. I've got to figure out some ways to spend it."

"Why don't you rub your money in my face a little more Gary?" Ash asked. "I still don't feel inadequate enough."

Gary laughed hollowly. "Don't be jealous, Ash," he said quietly. "I would kill to have money of my own and not have to rely on his charity."

Ash gave his cousin a worried look. Gary sounded almost bitter. Admittedly, life hadn't really gone his way. There was no doubt that Gary was technically the better trainer. He had a better grasp of the theory and practice of Pokémon Training than Ash ever would have. Unfortunately, that is as far as it went. Gary had no instinct for Pokémon and could not motivate them to like him. Because they wouldn't take risks on his behalf, he found it much harder to succeed in the Leagues. Then there was Ash, who had his strange talent with Pokémon. Whenever Gary seemed likely to win a major championship, Ash always seemed to be in the way. And there was one Trainer Gary could not beat, seemingly could never beat, and certainly had never beaten in one competitive match in six years: Ash Ketchum.

Ash shook his head and turned away from Gary's problems. Frankly, other people's problems had to take precedence right now. He pulled out his mobile phone and called Professor Oak at his labs.

"Hello?"

"Professor, it's Ash."

"Ash! What a surprise! To what do I owe this call?"

"Professor, I don't have the time to go into details. Gary and I are on our way to Pallet right now. We have reason to believe Team Rocket is going to attack the town in an attempt to get to me."

"My goodness!" There was a long pause and Ash could hear some movement in the background. "I suspected something like this might happen, Ash. I have developed a defence grid for our town that will stop any unauthorised Pokémon from approaching us and should give us plenty of warning about any conventional attack. I will activate it immediately. How soon should we expect you back?"

Ash turned to Gary. "Gary, how soon will we be in Pallet?"

"Tell them thirty minutes," Gary said. "I want to stop off at that bar first, see if we can pick up any clues."

Ash nodded. "Thirty minutes, Professor."

"Very well, thank you for the warning, Ash. I will see you shortly."

***

Ash and Gary were standing in the parking lot of the Viridian Roadside Diner; an extremely misleading name for what was obviously truckers' bar. Ash had to admit that this was the sort of rough spot Butch and Cassidy would frequent. "Did you see any unusual vehicles in the parking lot when you were here a few days ago?" Ash asked.

Gary shook his head. "Nah, but those two Rockets weren't even in uniform when I saw them," he said. "I'm guessing Team Rocket has been building up its' forces by sending people into the area under cover."

Ash frowned. That was hardly normal Team Rocket tactics. The organisation was proud of its' identity and status and its' agents paraded around in full uniform even in the middle of major cities. 'Under cover' wasn't psychologically right for one of Giovanni's plans. His father had an obsession with scale and drama that made him love using massive numbers of uniformed troops and Pokémon. No, something was wrong. "Gary, that doesn't scan right," Ash said quietly. "Can you describe those two people again. Make it detailed this time."

Gary rolled his eyes. "Look, Ash, I don't know any Team Rocket agents like you do. I can only tell you what I saw and heard."

"Well, maybe," Ash allowed. "But I think…"

"Prepare for trouble!"

"Oh… SHIT!"

"And make it double!"

"To infect the world with devastation!"

"To blight all peoples of every nation!"

"To denounce the lies of truth and love,"

"To extend our wrath to the stars above!"

"Butch,"

"Cassidy,"

"Team Rocket, circling Earth at the speed of light!"

"Surrender or die in the fight!"

Ash saw Butch and Cassidy, resplendent in their Black field agents' uniforms, standing at the edge of the woods. About a half-dozen White Rockets and nearly fifty Dan'in fighters, all armed to the teeth and accompanied by several large Pokémon were emerging from the forest behind them. "Gary, fall back towards the bar," Ash instructed. "Charizard, I choose you!"

Charizard emerged with a defiant roar. Instead of a direct attack, Ash had him lay down a flame wall. The heat made the Rockets reel back. An Arcanine leapt through the flames and charged at the two young men. "Go Umbreon!" Gary shouted. His first and best Pokémon emerged and faced the Arcanine. "Hyper Beam!"

[Eat this, sucker!"] Umbreon snarled. The force bolt struck the charging Arcanine in the centre of the head and the giant fire wolf collapsed unconscious.

It seemed for a split second that Ash and Gary would hold their attackers back. Then a Blastoise scored a direct hit on Charizard and Ash was forced to withdraw him from the battle. A Tauros used its' powerful thunder butt attack on the ground, the shock-wave throwing Ash, Gary and Umbreon off of their feet.

"He's mine!" Butch shouted, releasing his Drowzee.

Ash noticed something unpleasant. Cassidy's classical beauty was gone. Her hair was streaked with grey and there was looseness about her face that reminded him of how people who had suffered a stroke sometimes looked. Raichu's unrestrained Thunder attack when they murdered Tracey must have done that to her, Ash realised. He shuddered when he realised that, for the first time, he had permanently maimed someone in his struggle against his father.

Ash had no time to worry about this now. He released Kadabra and had him use Confusion on Drowzee. The Team Rocket psi-type had been concentrating on Umbreon, so the counter-strike took him by surprise. He staggered, unable to respond to his Trainer's furious orders. Ash had Kadabra lift Drowzee of the ground telekinetically and flung him into a charging Team Rocket Blastoise. Both Pokémon went down in a tangle of limbs.

"Thanks, Man," Gary called with a wave. He decided Umbreon had had enough, so he recalled him and released his own Arcanine. "Okay, Arcanine, use Fire Wall and keep it up. I want those creeps held back!"

[Gotcha, Boss!]

A Scyther landed in front of Kadabra. "Psychic Storm!" Ash ordered. Kadabra concentrated and unleashed a massive psionic attack that blew the Scyther back into the woods, already unconscious. Unfortunately, the attack left Kadabra vulnerable for a few seconds, and that was all the time it took for Butch's Parasect to envelop him with a cloud of choking Poison Powder.

Ash grimaced and swapped the stunned Kadabra for Venusaur. A hail of razor leaves sent the Team Rocket agents reeling back. Then Ash had Venusaur grab the TR Tauros in her vine whips and bash him against the road until he fainted.

"Raichu, take out that Parasect!" Ash ordered. Raichu leapt into the air and used Thunderbolt on the crab-like bug/poison-type, knocking it unconscious. "Good job, now use Thunder Wave!"

"Rai-ai-chu, Raichu-chu-ai-chu, Rai-ai," [Right away, but I don't think it will hold them, Ash,] Raichu said sceptically. Still he complied. Raichu generated a wide wave of electrical charge that flowed forward and sent the Team Rocket goons stumbling away, shouting in pain and twitching. However, Raichu was right, they quickly recovered and began to move forward again.

As Ash watched, Butch's Drowzee used Hypnosis to knock out Venusaur. Another Rocket used his Staryu to put out Arcanine's Fire Wall. "I think we are outgunned here," Gary suggested, his face streaked with sweat.

"Agreed, I'll generate a distraction and you get the car," Ash instructed. "Raichu, use Thunder Storm," Ash ordered.

Raichu jumped forward and somersaulted, generating a massive electrical discharge. The discharge flashed out in a fan of lightning bolts, striking both Rockets and Pokémon, including Cassidy's Raticate, who was trying to flank the two young men from Pallet Town. The normal-type howled in agony and collapsed.

His howl of pain was eclipsed by Cassidy's scream of fury when she realised Ash had hurt her favourite Pokémon. "Electrode, I choose you!" Cassidy shouted out. "Use Self Destruct!"

The electric-type Pokémon lofted towards Ash and Gary and detonated in between them. Ash's whole world turned to pain for a second. When he recovered his senses, he was in the ruins of the bar. A wall panel had collapsed on him, trapping him against the ground.

[Ash!] Raichu said. The little electric squirrel ran up and began tugging at his friend, trying to pull him free.

"It's no use, buddy," Ash whispered. "Don't let yourself be captured." Ash could hear Butch and Cassidy's voices as they directed a search for him. He was probably only seconds from capture himself.

[I won't abandon you, Ash,] Raichu said angrily.

Ash laughed and reached out to stroke Raichu's soft furry cheeks. "You were always my closest and best friend, Raichu," he replied. "You were always there on the darkest nights to help me. Now you must help yourself. Run. Get away."

Raichu was furious and terrified at the same time. He shook his head. [I will not leave you!]

Ash shook his head. "You must, Raichu," he said gently, his voice filled with love. "I'm sorry about this, but I hope you will understand why I'm doing this in time. Tell Misty that I will always love her, okay?"

Raichu stepped back, sensing what Ash intended, but it was too late. "Raichu, return," Ash commanded. The electric-type's rarely used Super-type Pokéball's recall laser flashed and Raichu was disassembled into a matter stream held in a laser containment grid. The Pokéball locked shut and Ash looked at it for a moment. "Sorry buddy," he said gently. Then he put the ball onto his belt. He took out his Pokédex and pressed a button to activate the distress beacon Richie had installed and then put it back on his belt. Ash then pulled off his Pokébelt and used his feet to drive it deep under the wooden wall.

"Hey!" shouted a voice. "He's over here!"

There was a pause as the Team Rocket agents gathered. Butch sneered down at Ash. "Well, well," he sneered. "The mighty leader of Team Thunderbolt trapped like a rat. Any last words, Twerp?"

"Yeah," Ash said with a confident smirk. He used his free arm to gesture at Cassidy's ruined face. "Your girlfriend should fire her plastic surgeon." Butch's face twisted with fury and he kicked Ash in the face. Ash tasted blood and decided he would probably lose a couple of teeth after that blow. He smiled still, knowing that by provoking Butch to violence he had won a victory of sorts.

"Hey!" Cassidy said. "Don't let him provoke you, Butch." Cassidy, who was accompanied by her Vileplume, leaned down and ran a caressing hand over Ash's face. "We are going to have so much fun together, you and I," she purred in a sensual way. "I'm sure you'll never forget it." She stood up. "Vileplume. Stun Spore."

A cloud of soporific particles exploded around Ash's face and consciousness faded.

***

Team Thunderbolt stood helplessly, looking around at the debris of the bar. "Here it is!" Lance called. His Golem lifted the wall out of the way and Misty ran forward to pick up Ash's Pokébelt. She clutched the belt to herself and tried to think. She hadn't given any hint of her torment yet, but it could only be a matter of time.

"This is all my fault…" Gary said in a quiet and lost voice. "If I hadn't stopped off here… or if I had fought better… they would never have got him!"

"You can't blame yourself, Gary," James said gently, touching his shoulder. "They must have been planning this for weeks."

"That doesn't make me feel much better," Gary said in a bitter tone of self-reproach.

"There is no sign of him," Richie said. He had just returned from an aerial sweep on the back of Tempest, his Dragonite. "If Butch used his Drowzee to teleport him away, they could be on the other side of the world by now."

Misty nodded gently. "Good work, Richie," she said quietly. "Sabrina do you have anything?"

Sabrina shook his head. "Psionics aren't an exact science, Misty," she said. "And if Ash is unconscious, I wouldn't be able to detect his mind if he was sitting right next to me."

Misty nodded again, her expression unreadable. She frowned and pulled a Pokéball off of the belt. It was one she had never seen with the 'In Use' light showing. "Raichu…" she whispered. "Raichu, I choose you!" she said loudly, throwing the ball.

Raichu materialised in the middle of the wreckage. [Ash! No, don't… Oh no, he has been taken… oh no.] The little electric rodent sagged down and began to cry helplessly, all the strength going out of him in an instant.

"Raichu, what happened," Misty said.

[Misty?] he asked, looking up through his tears. [Misty, it was horrible. There were just so many of them! We fought but we couldn't win. Ash put me in my ball rather than risk me being captured.]

"Typical Ash," Gary said quietly. "Worrying more about his Pokémon than his own hide."

Misty nearly exploded. "You piece of shit!" she yelled. "This is all your fault! Now get out of here. Go to Pallet and make sure that they know how badly you've screwed up!" Gary backed away nervously. "GET OUT!" Misty screamed. Gary nearly went yellow with fear. He leapt into his car and drove away as fast as he could.

"Misty…" Joy said gently, walking forward and touching her shoulder.

"Don't say it, Joy," Misty warned.

"Don't explode, Misty," Brock said sharply. "It won't do anyone any good."

"You're right," Misty said, her voice level. "So we are going to act instead. We will interrogate every Rocket we find. We will carve open every base, every gym and every safe house. We will smash Team Rocket piece by piece until Ash is free."

"We will find him," Duplicia promised. "Besides," she added with a hollow laugh. "Knowing Ash, he is probably working on his escape now."

Misty smiled gently and nodded. The Thunderbolts began to file away. Misty held Ash's Pokébelt to her breast for a long moment before suddenly screaming out to the heavens, a lost soul.

***

Ash blinked furiously, trying to clear his vision. For some reason, his arms were above his head. He tugged and realised he was tied to some kind of overhead bar. He was standing on his feet, but his posture made it impossible to relax without nearly pulling his own arms out of their sockets.

"Wakey, wakey, hero," snarled a grating voice. A hand slapped across his face. Ash's vision cleared at last and he saw Butch and Cassidy standing there, looking excessively smug.

"Oh, you two again," Ash said in a gentle mocking tone. "Don't you think this whole thing is getting old already?"

Butch snorted. "Oh no," Cassidy said with a sadistic smirk, "we haven't even started having fun yet. Mr. Ketchum, you are now the guest of Team Rocket. Butch and I are going to be your hosts. I am sure you will find it an unforgettable experience!"

"If you are my hosts," Ash said with a grin, "then I want to complain about the room service. Additionally I hate the 'metal walled dungeon' look! It is so passé!"

"I have had enough of his lip…" Butch hissed, taking a step forward. Cassidy stopped him with a gesture.

"Ash, you are a lucky man," she announced. "For some reason, the Boss doesn't want you dead anymore. However, he does want your… attitude adjusted. That is going to be our task, and our pleasure over the next few weeks."

Ash spat at Cassidy, the only defiance that was possible at the time. Cassidy growled and wiped the spit from her face. Butch stepped forward and drove a pile driver punch into Ash's guts. Ash would have liked to fold double, but being tied at full stretch made that impossible. It doubled his pain. For a long moment he couldn't see or hear and was only aware of the agony in his abdomen.

"Enough!" Cassidy hissed. She walked forward and lifted Ash's head with a finger on his chin. "I am going to enjoy this Ash," she said. She was so close that Ash could see her maimed face very clearly indeed. "I owe you a lot of pain, Ash Ketchum, and from this moment on, I am going to pay my debts."

Cassidy drew a nasty thin-bladed knife from her boot. She used it to slice off Ash's shirt. Then she nodded to Butch, who threw a bucket of water over the young man.

Cassidy turned around. "You seem to like using electricity on Team Rocket," she remarked lightly. "Let's see if you like it in return."

Ash's eyes widened as he saw Cassidy lift up a pair of jump-start cables attached to what was probably the dungeon's power system. Held in the crocodile clips was steel wool. Cassidy brushed it together and there was a hot shower of sparks. "Do you like electricity dear?" she asked again as she stepped forward.

To be continued…