The Journey

The Journey

An Other Trainer story by BenRG

Legal Disclaimer

Pokémon, the Pocket Monsters and all characters and institutions connected with them are the property of Nintendo Entertainment, Game Freak Software and 4Kids Entertainment. This is a non-profit work written for free distribution through the world-wide web. No infringement of any copyright or legal property intended.

Peter Croft and Lia McAlester are entirely my creations, as are all the other original characters. Keep your eyes open, for there could be an FF.NET author in there somewhere!

Author's Notes

Some New Trainer stories are good, some are not so good and some are just dire. I've never tried this genre before, so I'm going to try it now. If this is bad, then say so for pity's sake and I'll stop!

Okay, usual warnings apply. I don't know the continuity or the moves very well, so I'll be faking it most of the time.

Text in Italics is thought or psychic communication.

Text in "Quotes and Italics" is speech from some kind of loudspeaker, phone, etc.

Censor: PG – Because Pokémon fight, and fights can be unpleasant things.

Continuity Note: This story starts six years after Ash Ketchum started his own Pokémon Journey.

Chapter 7 – Shocking

Peter and Lia looked around at the band of electric-type rodents nervously. There was no immediate threat coming from the masses of Pikachus and Raichus, who had started to talk among themselves in a hushed tone, but it was clear that they were very unhappy with the two humans. Peter and Lia's understandable nervousness was transmitted to their Pokémon, who were also started acting nervously.

"What do they want, Shock?" Peter asked as he pulled on his shirt and jeans.

Peter's Pikachu turned to face her trainer. Peter had only known the cute electric rodent for about eighteen hours, but he was already getting used to the expressions on her incredibly expressive face. Right now she seemed embarrassed! [They… er… came to rescue Spark and me,] Shock said.

"Well, can't you tell them that you don't need to be rescued?" Lia asked nervously, looking at the three Pikachus that were staring at her angrily.

[I… don't think that they would believe me, Lia,] Shock replied.

[Yeah, everyone knows that Trainers brainwash poor innocent Pokémon into obeying them!] Spark added in a chagrined tone of voice.

"We don't do anything like that!" Peter protested. The thought of forcing a Pokémon to obey him or using any kind of persuasion except kindness and good training on a Pokémon was foreign to the boy's thinking.

[You know that; I know that now, but they don't,] Shock reminded her friend.

[So what do they want with our Trainers?] Shadow asked, looking thoughtfully around at the electric-types. [Are they going to harm them?]

[I don't know,] Shock admitted. [My dam is talking with the others now. They don't seem to be sure what they want to do themselves.]

"Okay," Peter said. "Look, I know this sounds stupid, but I think we should act like they are not here." There were a lot of surprised looks shot Peter's way, especially by Lia. "What I mean is, we should carry on with our morning routine. If we start getting nervous and looking like we want to do something sneaky or aggressive, it might make them nervous and dangerous."

Lia swallowed and looked around. She wasn't sure whether she could eat her breakfast while surrounded by scowling electric-types. However, try as she might, she couldn't think of any alternative. There were too many to fight and the two youngsters' Pidgeys were too small to carry their Trainers away by air. Besides, neither of them knew Fly yet. "Uh… okay," Lia said at last. "I… I think I would like an apple-flavour bar this morning, Peter."

Peter, still looking very afraid, handed his friend the requested breakfast bar and began to set out food and water for his Pokémon.

After a very hushed breakfast, Peter and Lia tried to get ready to leave as if they were not surrounded by angry electric-types. The first hint of trouble was when Peter reached for Bugsy's Pokéball, so that he could recall the Metapod for another day's hardening. Almost instantaneously, a small but painful shock hit him in the hand. "Ow!" Peter cried out, more in surprise than in pain and dropped the ball, shaking his stinging hand.

Lia and all the others jumped. "Peter!" Lia almost screamed, terrified that they were about to be attacked.

The Pikachu responsible was almost instantly sent flying by a powerful Tackle from Shadow, who charged into the mass of electric-types. [Leave my friend alone!] he barked furiously. The Pikachus scattered before turning around, their cheeks sparking with electrical power as they prepared to counter this sudden threat. Shadow immediately began to use Growl and glared around at the smaller but far more powerful Pokémon fearlessly. [Come on then,] he snarled. [Who's first? Who thinks that they are hard enough?]

The Pikachus and Raichus looked uncertain, doubtless affected by the Growl. Then, without warning, one of the Pikachus unleashed a massive Thunderbolt attack at Shadow. The blue-white blast of electricity arced through the air towards the Eevee, only to be intercepted by another electrical pulse, this one fired off by Shock. The two attacks interacted and then mutually annihilated with a blue-white flash and a crackle of static that made every hair on every being's body stand on end for a moment. [Shame on you Uncle!] Shock squeaked angrily. [Since when do we attack a Pokémon for protecting his friend?]

The Raichus looked confused and the Pikachus backed off a little. Finally, the very largest Raichu stepped forward. He gestured to Peter before shooting off a rapid-fire series of squeaks and squeals that Peter couldn't understand. [Yes, he is my Trainer now,] Shock announced, the tone of her voice still an angry one. [He has offered me his friendship and guidance in exchange for which I have given him my loyalty.] The Raichu said something in a contemptuous tone of voice and Shock drew herself up to her full height in offended dignity. [Is it so difficult for you to imagine that I might have made an arrangement with this human that benefits us both?] she asked. [I am no one's slave, Father. You of all beings should know that!]

There was another pause as the Raichus and Pikachus milled about in confusion. "Shock," Peter said, "can you ask them to let me put Bugsy in his Pokéball, please? He is vulnerable out in the open like this."

Shock looked up at Peter for a moment in surprise. She had been so focussed on her kin that she had almost forgotten him and the others. She turned back to the other electric-types and relayed that request. There was a brief discussion before the Raichu that Shock had addressed as being her mother spoke a few brief phrases. [They will allow it,] Shock relayed to her Trainer. [They tell you to take it nice and slow, and not to try anything stupid.]

Peter managed a slight smile as he pulled out Bugsy's Pokéball. He pointed the device at the Metapod and pressed the 'recall' pad. [About time too,] Bugsy muttered as he dematerialised and was sucked into his ball. The wild electric-types drew back from the flash of red light in fear.

Peter listened to the fearful mutters of 'Pika!' and 'Rai!' and thought for a moment. "I think I'm beginning to understand what is going on here," Peter said.

Lia was way ahead of him. "They think that Trainers are a sort of monster that enslaves Pokémon," she said with a slightly shaky smile.

[I am no slave,] Shadow growled, looking around at the electric-types angrily.

"Whatever it is, they obviously don't like Pokéballs," Peter said as he put Bugsy's Pokéball onto his belt. "It might be a good idea to keep all of our Pokémon out for now." Lia nodded in agreement, though she didn't look forward to trying to keep Pidgey and Spearow from sniping at each other while they were both out at the same time.

There was another discussion, this time between Shock's parents, as Peter and Lia finished packing up their backpacks. Shock listened in with an increasingly grim expression. Peter turned around and watched as Shock and Spark exchanged some quick-fire comments with their wild kin. Finally, the electric-types moved to form a wedge-shaped cordon around the two humans. "Bad news?" he asked Shock.

[Possibly,] Shock said thoughtfully. [They were very surprised when Spark and I told them that we wanted to stay with you. They have decided that we must go before our tribe's elders to decide this matter.]

"Okay, we'll wait here for you," Peter said.

Shock gave him a curious look. [They mean all of us, Peter,] she explained.

"Gee, that sounds nice," Lia said. "But maybe we could do that the next time we're in the area…?" She backed off a little and three Pikachus leapt forward to block her path, their cheek-pads sparking. "I… guess not," she concluded, looking a bit nauseous.

Peter considered all the options for a moment. This was probably the most frightening situation that he had ever been in. Even facing Team Rocket would not be so bad. Well, one way or another, he had to see this through. This was not something that he could run away from. "Well, let's go then," he said quietly.

Peter didn't know what he expected to find when he arrived at the electric-types' home burrow. He was half-afraid that he would have to crawl into a warren of narrow tunnels or something similar.

There were small burrows for the families of electric-types to live in, but Peter and Lia were not led to any of them. Instead, much to his surprise, he saw a huge tree with a massive cave dug under its' roots. The cave was large enough for Peter to sit on the floor without bending his head.

The journey to the 'village' had been a bit nerve-wracking. Not only would Lia's Pidgey and Spearow not stop arguing about which of them was responsible for this crisis, but he had to continually restrain his Nidoran, Thumper, from trying to attack the Pikachus. Just to make things perfect, Shock had insisted on riding on Peter's shoulder, as usual. Her wild kin did not like that demonstration of trust and loyalty one bit.

"So what do you think is going to happen?" Lia whispered, looking very worried. Peter shrugged. He had no idea. "You are a lot of help," Lia snorted and turned back to looking at what seemed to be a dais at the other end of the cave. The wild electric-types stirred and glared at her angrily.

[Shh,] Shock whispered. [Stay quiet, and only speak when the elders speak to you directly.]

Then there was a stir of movement. Three Raichus walked out from behind the dais and sat down on their haunches, eye-to-eye with the two young humans. The Raichu in the centre looked old somehow. His muzzle was greyed with age and his fur seemed wrinkled and tattered. The elder of the 'tribe' maybe? Peter asked himself. "Shock," he whispered, "is the one in the middle the head elder?"

Shock nodded. [That is my great-great-grandfather,] she replied quietly. [He is the oldest Raichu I have ever heard of. He must be at least 70 years old, but no one is sure exactly how old he might be. He claims to remember when the first humans came to our land.]

"Rai-chu-ai-ai-ra-chu. Rai-ai-chu. Raichu-ai-ai-ra!" the old Raichu declared firmly. "Rai-raichu-ai-ra-chu?"

Shock translated and Peter concentrated on her words, not wanting to distract himself by listening to two voices saying the same words. [He welcomes you to our homes,] Shock explained. [He says that our tribe only wants to live in peace. He wants to know why you have kidnapped Spark and me.]

Peter drew in a deep breath before replying. "Sir, I haven't kidnapped anyone," Peter said. "I didn't come here seeking to do harm to anyone."

The old Raichu (who Peter had started thinking of as 'Gramps') looked at the young human levelly. Then he spoke again in a sly tone of voice. [He says that your actions speak louder than words,] Shock said. [We are here, enslaved and at your sides. That tells him all he needs to know.]

"Shock and Spark aren't slaves," Peter protested. "It is true that we captured them, but we don't treat Pokémon as slaves but partners. I captured Shock intending to teach her how to be strong, so that we can face any threat in the world side-by-side. Tell him, Shock."

Shock rolled her eyes, but she couldn't deny what Peter had just said. [It is true, Grandfather. Peter has not restricted my movements, nor has he abused me in any way. He has treated me well, and I do not fear him.] The Raichu made a few comments and Shock laughed. [Yes, it is odd to think that I, She Who Wields Her Independence as a Sword, should willingly become a Trained Pokémon, but nonetheless…]

[Nonetheless, we have no reason to complain,] Spark shot in. The other Pikachu jumped from Lia's lap and ran forward to glare at Gramps defiantly. [Peter offered to release Shock if she so wished,] he declared. [He promised that if she stayed with him, he would train her to be strong, and he has kept his promise! Not a day ago, he was able to direct her to defeat a Rattata and a Bulbasaur in battle!]

Lia grimaced. Spark had probably said the worst thing imaginable. The wild electric-types thought that Pokémon Trainers were tyrants who profited from a Pokémon's pain. Telling them that Peter had battled with Shock would only confirm that impression.

The Raichu chattered angrily. Shock didn't translate, but replied herself. [Do I look injured?] she squealed angrily. [Do I look battered or hurt? After that battle, Peter placed healing my wounds before even finding food for himself! Does that sound like the act of a monster?]

There was a long silence, and Peter decided to add something himself. "I asked Shock to fight for me," he said, keeping any hint of uncertainty out of his voice. "I did not demand it. If she had refused, I would not have forced her to fight."

Gramps looked at Peter thoughtfully for some time. Then he turned his attention to Lia, who shifted nervously, feeling like she was in school again, under the scrutiny of some wise old teacher. The Raichu spoke a few phrases. [He wants to know if you would release us if we asked,] Shock translated.

"Yes," Peter said without hesitation. "If a Pokémon doesn't want to stay with their Trainer, they would be useless for our purposes anyway. No Trainer who forces his Pokémon to do anything has ever prospered. We all know that."

Lia raised a hand uncertainly. "Uh… sir?" she added. "If I can say something…?" Gramps looked at her, surprise twisting his cute face. "I just want to say that we never try to hurt our Pokémon. We are always worried when they are injured in battle." She sucked in a breath before continuing. "We learn to feel their feelings, including pain," she said. "If we don't, we are no good as Trainers."

Gramps nodded his head and said a few phrases. [I have chosen to stay with Peter for now,] Shock declared. [He has promised to teach me and make me strong. I wish to give him a chance to fulfil that promise.]

[All my life, I have wanted to see the world,] Spark added. [Lia has given me that opportunity. She has also offered me unconditional friendship and love. How can I not stay with her?]

Gramps spoke again. Shock seemed a bit surprised, but translated. [My Grandfather wants Shadow to tell him how he met you,] she told Peter.

Shadow had been lying next to Peter, glaring angrily at the electric-types surrounding him. The Eevee jumped a bit when the old Raichu spoke directly to him. He sat up and looked at the elder fearlessly. [I am not like you,] he said. [I am a slave, and the child of slaves, born in a Breeding Centre. All my life, humans have considered me the property of one or another of their kind. In my heart, however, I have always been free, for as long as you refuse to allow your soul to be restrained, no being can call you 'slave.'] Shadow padded forward to sit right in front of Gramps and stared at the older Pokémon without a hint of deference or fear. [The humans took me from the place where I was born, from my family and friends, and chose me to accompany Peter in his Journey to maturity. Since the moment he released me from my Pokéball until now, Peter has not restrained my movements or demanded anything I was unwilling to do. He has taught me strength and has cared for my battle wounds. When I hurt, he feels a pain worse than death. In the few days I have known him, my Trainer has taught me more and let me experience more liberties and greater happiness than I have ever even dreamed of before. Peter has not enslaved me. Instead, he is the one who set me free. He would fight for me and die for me,] Shadow concluded firmly, [how can I do any less?]

Peter felt tears prickling at the corner of his eyes as he listened to that declaration of loyalty from his first Pokémon. Lia smiled in a strange way and touched his hand.

[Ask any of us,] Shadow said, waving his head at the other eleven Trained Pokémon in the cave. [We will all say the same thing. Peter and Lia have not forced us to do anything. We are not slaves, but partners. Our Trainers love us, and we reciprocate.] The others replied loudly in affirmation (except for Thumper and Nidoran, who had both fallen asleep).

"I won't lie and say that there are no Trainers who treat their Pokémon badly," Peter added. "They are the minority though. I would never dream of forcing one of my friends to fight, or make them do anything that they didn't want to do."

There was another long pause. The other two Raichus looked at Gramps and there was a quiet discussion. Then Gramps rose onto his hind legs and spoke loudly. [He says that the elders must consider this,] Shock translated. [As we have spoken so passionately in your defence, you are free to move about the village as you please. However, they will not allow you to leave the glade until the elders have decided on your fate.]

Peter swallowed and managed to nod towards Gramps. "Thank you sir," he said quietly.

Ned and Kelly had panicked when dozens of Pikachus and Raichus suddenly surrounded their targets. They didn't want to lose their prizes to an unexpected example of Pokémon militancy. More importantly, they were very nervous about being the electric-types' next targets.

Because of these fears, they followed Peter and Lia at a much greater distance than usual, and were now hiding in a tree north of the glade where the wild electric-types' lived. "What is going on?" Ned whispered.

Kelly grimaced and turned down the gain on her parabolic microphone. "Shut up," she hissed. Ned raised his hands in surrender and nearly fell out of the tree. Kelly listened some more. "The Twerps are trying to convince the boss Raichu to let them go," she said. She grimaced. "There is a lot of very sugary stuff being said about love and loyalty."

"Losers," Ned grunted. "I would just capture the lot of them and be merrily on my way."

"Well, not everyone is as success-oriented as you are, Ned," Kelly said sarcastically. Ned beamed, missing the sarcasm. "You know, if we were to get the Twerps and bring in hundred of Pikachus, Pichus and Raichus, the Boss would be very pleased with us," Kelly said with a slight smile that looked more like a sneer. "He might even see his way clear to forgive us for our recent… indiscretions."

Ned gave his partner a shocked look. "Capture 'em all? How can we do that?" he asked, forgetting his previous contempt towards Peter and Lia for not trying that themselves.

"Oh, I think I can come up with a way," Kelly said with a gentle laugh. "After all, they are all concentrating on the Twerps right now." Kelly raised her binoculars and watched as Peter and Lia crawled out of the meeting cave and into the sunlight.

Peter, with a very nervous Shadow at his side and Shock riding on his shoulder, was walking around the area. Lia was with him, looking as nervous as he felt. Spark was sitting in the crook of her left arm, smiling smugly at his kin.

At first, the village seemed deserted, but then yellow and tan heads began to poke from burrows and glare at the two humans and their Pokémon in a suspicious way. Some left their burrows and sat in the middle distance, glaring at the humans in fear and uncertainty.

Peter sat on one of the hillocks in the glade and tried to relax. He had no idea what the tribal elders might decide to do, and he had even fewer clues how he would react if he didn't like what they had to say. [Don't worry, Peter,] Shock whispered. [Grandfather might like playing the curmudgeon, but he is always fair. I have had reason to learn that in my time.]

Peter laughed and stroked Shock's soft cheeks gently, making her purr in pleasure. "I guess I didn't know wild Pokémon feared Trainers so much," he said.

[It isn't as much Trainers as it is the unknown,] Spark said. [Our kin fear what lies beyond the edge of their small world. I should know! They consider me crazy for wanting to see what lies beyond this forest!]

[You are considered crazy because someone the size of a Pikachu doesn't go wandering off alone to face who knows what threats in the world at large,] Shock replied repressively. [There is more than enough adventure in just this forest for me. I don't understand you, Spark. I never will.]

[Aw, you know you like my adventurous streak,] Spark said with a wink.

[I do not like anything about you!] Shock shrieked, making Peter and Lia jump. [If it wasn't for the fact that we have to stay together, I wouldn't even come into the same half of the forest as you!]

[Ah! So that is why you are always suggesting that we go off alone together,] Spark replied.

[I… I… It is expected of me!] Shock said weakly.

Spark giggled. [Of course! That is why we also go out secretly at night time, when you know that we are not allowed out of our burrows,] he said.

[I am hoping that I can get you in trouble and exiled,] Shock screeched, electricity crackling around her cheek pads. [Then you will be out of my fur, once and for all!]

[Aw, you know that you would come with me,] Spark said, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Shock growled and almost fired off a Thunder-shock. Only the fact that Lia was in the way restrained her.

[You… idiot!] Shock hissed.

[Stuck up rich girl!] Spark replied, his own cheek pads beginning to spark.

"Woah, guys!" Lia said, looking at the two furious Pikachus in amazement. "Chill out!"

"What is it with you two anyway?" Peter asked. "You were in that glade together, but I really get the impression that Spark embarrasses you, Shock. I also think that this is an old argument between you two. What is the problem?"

[I don't want to talk about it,] Shock said morosely.

"Shock…" Peter said in a gentle, warning tone of voice.

[Give it up,] Shadow advised. [He'll just badger you until you tell him!]

Shock sighed. [Spark is my betrothed,] she said at last. [Our parents arranged our mating when we were just Pichus. I haven't been able to keep him away from me since!] She glared at Spark. [And I want to keep him away from me!]

[Shock,] Spark protested. [You know I don't want to cause you problems!]

[Then tell your parents that you don't want this mating!] Shock cried. Even if that means that I will never see you again, she added silently. And I don't want that, even if I am too afraid to ever admit it!

[I would, if I thought that it was what you really wanted,] Spark replied in a quiet tone, so quiet that it only reached Lia's ears. Lia sighed and tickled Spark's cheeks, reflecting that adolescence doubtless brought many different problems. She hoped she wouldn't ever be in Spark and Shock's position, emotionally attached, but too proud to admit it.

Peter gently lifted Shock from his shoulder and gave her a little hug. The Pikachu clung to her Trainer, fighting conflicting emotions in her heart.

Shortly after Shock and Spark's argument ran out of steam, the first curious Pikachus began to approach the two Trainers. One stopped right in front of Lia and looked up at her. The little electric-type squeaked out a phrase. [He wants to know if you have come to steal him away,] Spark translated.

"Of course not," Lia said. "I don't 'steal' anything or anyone!" The Pikachu turned and called out. Several of his kin hopped over. The largest said something that didn't need any translation. "No, of course I won't hurt you!" Lia laughed.

That opened the floodgates. Pretty soon, about three dozen Pikachus and Pichus, who were all clamouring to be heard, surrounded Peter and Lia. They were all full of questions about the humans and their intentions. There were also questions about what kind of place humans came from.

"Well, I'm from Pallet Town," Peter said. "That's down the Viridian River… you know, the big running water flowing towards the sun rising?" the electric-types nodded. "Pallet Town is where that meets the sea. I lived with my parents and my little sister, Katie."

A Pikachu chattered something. [She wants to know why you left your home territory,] Shock said.

"Lots of reasons," Peter said. "I've always wanted to learn to train Pokémon. Mostly, though, I want to see what is out in the world. I want an adventure."

[My kind of guy,] Spark said, making Shock grimace.

"Anyway, Pallet is a nice place," Peter continued. "We live in above-ground boxes called 'houses.' My mom works at an estate agents' offices… I guess you wouldn't understand what that is… and my dad is a construction worker. He helps build new houses and other human things." The Pikachus nodded wisely.

Suddenly, Peter felt something tugging at his belt. He looked down and saw the cutest Pichu that he had ever seen. The gorgeous little electric-type looked up at him with fearless brown eyes before continuing to tug at Peter's Pokédex. She finally pulled it out of its' belt loop and turned it over in her paws, trying to figure out what it was.

"That's my Pokédex," Peter told the little creature. "It's a sort of talking book that can tell me stuff about Pokémon and the area I'm travelling through." The Pichu looked up at Peter in incomprehension. "Here, let me show you," he suggested. He took the Pokédex and opened it. The Pichus and Pikachus all jumped back in surprise at the three-tone 'bleep' that signified that the device was on-line. The little Pichu who had approached Peter immediately walked back over. She sniffed the appliance and looked up at Peter questioningly. "Watch," Peter said. He pointed his Pokédex at Pichu and pressed the 'scan' button. Then he turned the device around so Pichu could see the screen.

"Pokémon #172 – Pichu, an electric-type Pokémon," Dexter reported in his loud, cheery voice. "Pichu is the juvenile form of Pikachu" The electric-types were all surprised and suspicious, except the bold Pichu. She sat entranced as Dexter played the entire entry on her species. She giggled in delight and pawed the screen with the animated graphics.

After a moment, she jumped away and began to fiddle with Peter's belt pouch containing his Pokéballs. [Be careful Pichukachupipikapi!] Shock hissed. [You might capture yourself!]

The little Pichu looked up at Shock and grinned smugly. [No worries, Sis,] she said. Peter was amazed at how clearly he understood that.

"Did she just call you 'sister?'" Peter said in surprise.

Shock looked abashed. [Yes, this is my younger sister,] she admitted. [Her name is 'She Whose Curiosity Impels Her to Search Under Every Leaf.']

Peter watched as the Pichu pulled one of his Pokéballs from his belt and began to play with it. He took it from her before she could activate it. "That's an appropriate name," he said. Pichu giggled in delight and skipped up Peter's right arm, trying to take the Pokéball back. After a moment, she became fascinated with Peter's spectacles and tried to position herself on the human's head so that she could see through the lenses.

"It is rather long-winded," Lia said gently. "I think I'll call her 'Curious.'" She smiled at the Pichu and tickled her in between the ears. "Would you like us to call you that?"

Pichu replied enthusiastically and then turned to Spark and said something else. [Of course she's nice, she's my Trainer,] Spark said in an annoyed tone. [And will you stop calling me 'Dumb-dumb!'] Curious giggled, stuck out her tongue and pulled down an eyelid.

Suddenly the electric-types parted. Shock's father skipped over and said something. Peter felt Shock tense. "What is it?" he asked.

[The elders have come to a decision,] Shock reported. [We have to go to the council cave.]

Peter assumed that the gathering of ten Raichus and three Pikachus standing on the dais in the cave were the tribe's full council. They were doing a good impression of a panel of human magistrates as the two young humans tried to settle themselves in the cramped cave. They were looking at Peter and Lia levelly and emotionlessly.

After a moment, Gramps began to speak. Shock translated for her Trainer's benefit. [My Grandfather says that you have proven that there is no wickedness in your hearts,] she said. [He is satisfied that you have not come here with any evil intent, and he sees no reason to punish you.] Peter breathed out a sigh of relief. Suddenly he felt Shock tense. [How… however,] she continued uncertainly, [however, this does not change the fact that you captured Spark and me and have also captured these others. No matter how we feel about our association with you, it is still slavery, and something that he cannot abide. He will allow you to leave only if you swear that you will free all of your Pokémon and return to your homes, there to stay for the rest of your lives… Grandfather! How could you? We want to stay with them! Doesn't that mean anything to you?]

The Raichu looked at Shock levelly and said something. Peter got the gist that Gramps didn't think that either Pikachu was mature enough to make their own decisions on this matter. [He… he says that he will have you punished if you don't agree, Peter,] Shock said, suddenly in tears. [He will have you both shocked until you agree!]

Peter's heart had turned into a block of ice and he didn't know what to say or do. The thought of giving up his new friends and returning home a failure was more terrible than he could imagine, but what other choice did he have? He had to fight down tears. Calm down, Peter, he counselled himself. There has got to be a way to convince them…

[And what if we don't want to be 'freed?'] Shadow suddenly barked, jumping forwards. Lia's Chikorita ran forwards to join him. [What if we want to stay with our friends, and will accompany them with our without your approval? What then?] Gramps said something, his voice filled with disbelief. [Did you hear nothing I said?] Shadow asked in contempt. [They are not those who enslaved us! They are those who set us free! And we will stay with them!]

[I will stay with my Trainer, my friend Lia!] Chikorita announced. All Peter and Lia's other Pokémon were loud in protest.

There was utter chaos in the cave as the wild electric-types tried to absorb this amazing protest. Who could have expected that these Pokémon would prefer to stay with their human friends?

At that point, there was a loud concussion and the roof fell in. Peter blinked in the sudden sunlight and saw a Buttout struggle to its' feet, having obviously smashed the roof in with a Fissure attack. Aw no… he thought. He wasn't surprised when a male and a female voice began to recite a motto.

"Prepare for trouble like you've never seen!"

"And make it double, if you know what I mean!"

"To infect the world with devastation,"

"To blight all people in every nation,"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love,"

"To extend our wrath to the stars above!"

"Ned!"

"Kelly!"

"We're Team Rocket, circling Earth all day and night!"

"Surrender or die in the fight!"

"That's right!"

The sheer speed of the unexpected attack paralysed everyone for a moment. Peter was the first to recover. "Shadow, use Tackle!" he ordered. Shadow darted forward and tackled Ned's Buttout, knocking the goat-like earth-type onto its' back.

Peter didn't have the time to order a follow-up attack. Ned released his Magnemite. "Magnemite, use Screech!" he ordered with a sneer. The electric/steel-type darted dropped into the cave and began to emit the most nerve-jangling sound that Peter had ever heard. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Lia holding her hands to her ears and screaming silently into the cacophony. He watched as the writhing Pokémon succumbed to the attack one-by-one, and finally the darkness closed in upon him too.

Peter awoke to the most hideous headache he had experienced so far in his short life. The whole world was a single ball of humming pain concentrated in the very centre of his frontal lobe. "Gah…!" he groaned to himself.

"PETER? ARE YOU AWAKE?" a voice screamed from somewhere nearby.

"Don't… shout…" he groaned.

"But I'm not," Lia said, sounding puzzled and frustrated.

Peter groaned again and opened his eyes. He immediately saw Lia, who was sitting beside him. She had clearly been tied up hand-and-foot, and was looking very angry. Peter tried to move his hands and realised that he had been tied up too. They were both propped up against a tree near the council cave. The electric-types' village was eerily quiet and Peter could see a pile of Pokéballs in the centre of the glade. "What happened?" Peter asked at last.

"You blacked out," Lia said unnecessarily. "So did everyone else. Ned and Kelly captured all the Pokémon and tied you up. Without the Pokémon, I couldn't fight, so they grabbed me and tied me up too." Peter was looking around him and Lia understood what he was wondering. "They've gone off to find any Pokémon that might have escaped," she explained. "And they told me…" Lia paused and shivered. "They said that they would deal with us once they got back." Peter's youthful imagination couldn't figure out what the two terrorists might do to them, and he was glad for that.

"We have to get free," Peter said. He tugged at his bonds but there was no give. Of course: Spinarak silk; It was proportionately tougher than steel. Lia nodded grimly. "How come you didn't black out?" he asked.

Lia smiled. "I was born functionally deaf," she said. "I've got nanotechnology implants in my ears that increase the sensitivity of my aural nerves. One benefit of that is that they automatically filter out noises that could hurt me. I didn't even hear that Screech attack, I just felt the resonance in my skull!"

Peter shook his head. "Well, we have to get out of here," he said. He looked at the pile of Pokéballs in frustration. "If only one of them were free, they could bite through this webbing!" Suddenly, there was a brief movement. Peter looked down and saw a familiar face. Curious the Pichu was looking up at him, tears in her cute eyes. "Curious! Are you okay?"

Curious chattered quietly. Peter understood enough to know that she was fine, but very scared. She also wanted to know who Ned and Kelly were. "Very bad people who want to hurt us and your family," Peter replied. Curious looked shocked. She was essentially too good natured toe believe that anyone was inherently 'bad.'

"Your grandfather was worried about people wanting to make slaves of Pokémon," Lia said. Curious nodded. "Well, these are the people who do it! Team Rocket does all kinds of horrible things to enslave Pokémon!"

Curious burst into tears when she heard that. She certainly didn't want to be a slave, nor did she want that to happen to anyone else. "Easy Curious," Peter said, wishing that he could hug the Pichu to reassure her. "Easy now, we won't let that happen." Curious looked up at Peter again. She clearly wanted to know how they would do that. "Curious," Peter said, "we need to get this stuff off of our wrists and ankles. Can you chew them off for us?"

Ned and Kelly were heading back to the electric-types' village with their latest haul. "I can't believe how far and fast those rats have run!" Kelly said.

"What I want to know is why I have to carry the load," Ned growled. He was carrying a backpack with two dozen Pokéballs within.

"Now, now, Ned," Kelly laughed. "We all have our roles to play. Mine is strategist, and yours is…" she smiled. "Well, I'm sure that you can figure it out!" Ned grumbled and looked away. Kelly pulled her nasty knife out of the scabbard on the shoulder of her left glove and began to brush her fingertips across the edge. She was looking forward to using the latest techniques in field interrogation on those two Twerps. They didn't know anything she wanted to find out, she was just looking forward to using them.

Suddenly, a red-and-white blur shot out of the surrounding shrubs and slashed its' talons across Ned's face. Ned screamed.

"SPEAR!" the Spearow shouted and shot away from the two Rockets. Before either of them could react, Ned was suddenly lighter. Both Rockets were too stunned to respond as two Pidgeys used Wing to slice off the straps of Ned's backpack. The flying-types caught the pack and all three flew off into the woods.

"Hey…!" Kelly said uselessly. She finally regained her wits. "Hey! Come back!"

The two Rockets ran after the flying-types. Within a few seconds they ran into a forest glade to see something that was both surprising and irritating. "You!" Kelly shouted to Peter and Lia. "How did you get free?"

"You could say we have connections," Lia said. The two youngsters were standing in a combative pose. Peter had Thumper sitting at his feet and Pidgey was sitting on Lia's head, glaring at the two Rockets dangerously. It hurt both Rockets' professional pride that neither child seemed even remotely afraid. Of course, inside the two young Novices, it was a different story. They were afraid, but they realised that they had to win this fight to protect the wild electric-types.

Unseen by Ned and Kelly, Curious, Shock and Spark were frantically pressing the 'release' buttons on Pokéballs as fast as they could.

"Magnemite, use Screech!" Ned commanded. That familiar, terrible scream began to echo around the small clearing.

"Don't panic, Thumper!" Peter cried. "Counter it with Leer!"

[Comin' up, Boss-man,] Thumper squealed and glared at Magnemite. Taken completely by surprise by the evil emotions projected by the Nidoran's attack, Magnemite stopped its' penetrating sonic attack and scooted back a few feet.

"Great job, Peter!" Lia said. "I'll take it from here! Use Tackle and then Quick Attack, Pidgey!" Pidgey shot forward and collided with Magnemite, sending it tumbling end-over-end.

"Fry that rabbit, Vulpix!" Kelly shouted. "Use Ember!"

"Dodge it, Thumper!" Thumper barely dodged the fireball spat at him by the TR Pokémon. "Now, use Stink Spray!" Thumper reversed his position and sprayed a foul-smelling fluid from glands either side of his anus. Vulpix staggered back, rubbing his nose desperately with his paws.

Simultaneously, Pidgey was chasing Magnemite around the glade. The robotic electric/steel-type was too busy staying in one piece to respond to his Trainer's urgent commands. Finally, Magnemite was free and clear for a second. "Use Thunder!" Ned shouted. The massive electrical discharge flashed around Pidgey, but the flying-type was too tough to be knocked out by one attack.

"Use Sand Attack!" Lia shouted. Pidgey dived, picked up some sand and threw it at Magnemite, disorienting the robot. "Okay, now use Wing!" Pidgey shot forward and slashed his wing across the electric/steel-type's flanks, creating a shower of sparks.

Peter focused his attention on Kelly's Pokémon and realised that the Rocket had a vulnerable spot. She preferred to use ranged attacks, so the trick was to get in close. "Use Confusion!" Kelly commanded her fire-type. Confusion was a ghost-type attack, and was deadly, but only if you gave it a chance to effect your Pokémon.

"Focus on my voice," Peter urged. Thumper looked at Peter and the light of awareness in his eyes became stronger. "Now, use Tackle!"

"Watch out Vulpix…! Ouch!" Thumper's charge knocked Vulpix on his side.

"Okay, now follow up with Venom Bite!" Thumper drove his sharp incisor teeth deep into Vulpix's flank, injecting powerful venom along with the physical damage caused by the attack. Vulpix shrieked in pain.

"Shake that little monster off and back away!" Kelly called.

"Okay, use Leer again!" Peter ordered as soon as there was a separation between the two Pokémon. Vulpix froze for a moment instinctively reacting to the fierce glare the smaller poison-type was directing at him. "Tackle again!" Peter ordered.

"Damn it, concentrate!" Kelly shouted. "Dodge it!" Vulpix was still frozen by the Leer and couldn't respond quickly enough. Thumper charged and hit Vulpix right in between the eyes.

"Vul!" Vulpix barked in pain. Thumper broke off and backed away. Vulpix looked unsteadily at Thumper for a long frozen second and then tumbled onto his side, quite unconscious.

Simultaneously, Pidgey used a ferocious Peck to slam Magnemite into the ground. The flying-type was smouldering a little from a Thunder attack, but he was still functional, which was more than Ned could say for Magnemite.

"Damn it!" Ned hissed. "Magnemite, return! Go Buttout!"

"Come out Spinarak!" Kelly shouted, her face twisted with fury.

Suddenly Shock, Spark and Curious ran over. [We've done it!] Shock cried out as Curious jumped into Peter's arms.

"Great!" Peter said. He and Lia recalled Thumper and Pidgey. "Catch us if you can, Losers!" he taunted the Rockets and then led a general retreat.

"You won't get away that easily, Twerps!" Kelly shouted. "Let's get them!" Both Rockets recalled their Pokémon and chased after what they were presuming to be vanquished enemies.

They charged into another forest clearing just in time to see Lia dive over a fallen log into cover. Breathing heavily, the two Rockets lurched to a halt. "Come on out, Twerps," Kelly shouted. "Surrender and we'll go easy on you!"

Peter stuck his face over the log. "Funny you should say that…" he said. Kelly's mouth dropped open as about seventy Pikachus, Raichus and Pichus stepped out of the cover of the undergrowth and formed a two-layer cordon around them. More electric-types ran out from the path the two Rockets had just run down and blocked their only escape route.

Ned and Kelly looked around in panic trying to think what they should do now. Peter smirked slightly. "I think I will let our little friends explain their feelings," he said.

Shock, who had jumped up onto the log, smiled smugly at her Trainer. She pointed at the Rockets and uttered just one word: "Chu." [Shock.]

Cued by the Pikachu, all the recently freed Pokémon began to charge up to attack. "Raiii…"

"Pikaaa…"

"Piii…"

"CHUUUUUU!" There was a blue-white flash brighter than the sun.

The glowing image of Ned and Kelly's skeletons were briefly flash-seared onto Peter's retinas before the two Rockets were physically blown out of the glade by the power of the attack. "Now it looks like we're blasting off as well!" they cried as they shot towards the horizon. Peter and Lia followed their flight. Just before Ned and Kelly vanished from view, there was a little sparkle of light off of a metal fitting on one of their uniforms, then they were gone.

"Bye, bye!" Lia called with a laugh, waving the direction that the two hapless villains had flown off. "Ha! We win it!" she added, pumping her fists at the sky. She and Peter turned to each other and hugged each other in glee. Shadow, Chikorita, Shock and Spark joined in the celebrations as the wild electric-types looked on in a thoughtful way.

Peter and Lia, with Chikorita and Shadow standing beside them, Shock on Peter's left shoulder and Spark sitting in Lia's arms, were saying their final farewells. "Thanks for letting us go our way with our friends," Peter said to Gramps.

The old Raichu smiled at the human boy indulgently. [Well, they wanted to go with you, after all,] he said with a chuckle. [Besides, when those villains attacked, you could have just freed your friends and left us to our fate. Your actions proved that you value freedom and the rights of creatures to liberty. I think I can trust my young kin to your care.]

Peter nodded. Lia smiled. "You are all wonderful… beings," she said. "I hope everything goes well for you."

There was a chorus of [Bye!] [Farewell] and [Take care!] from the wild electric-types as their human allies turned to depart the village.

Peter and Lia waved over their shoulders as, with Chikorita and Shadow skipping along besides them, they headed off back to the Viridian Forest Wildlife Trail and the path towards Pewter City and their first Gym Badges.

Shock's mother looked around her in confusion as the two humans and their friends vanished from sight. [Where can she have gone?] she asked herself.

Shock was enjoying riding on Peter's shoulder. Suddenly she saw a movement in her friend's backpack. Suspicious and a little afraid she moved the top flap of the pack and saw two familiar intelligent, fearless brown eyes looking out at her. She was about to cry out in surprise, but Curious put a little finger to her lips and winked mischievously. Shock shook her head. Something told her that this was going to be a long, long Journey.

To be continued…