Chapter 7: Crazy Town
"Pika pikachu kachu." (Wake up sleepyhead.)
"Uh sure Pikachu, just give me a few minutes." Ash moaned as he rolled over.
"Come on Ash, Brian knows a short cut to Azalea Town. We could be there by lunch instead of tomorrow." Misty said cheerfully.
"Yeah right! He just wants to lose us in the woods so he can run off and let us die." Ash accused scratching his neck.
"ASH!" Misty scolded.
"Where is that little devil anyway?" Ash asked looking around with a steel gaze.
"Right above you," a voice bellowed from a tree.
Ash jumped from the ground and climbed the nearest tree. Among the branches Ash turned his head looking for Brian and then he came eye to eye with a set of glowing blood red eyes with the face hidden in the leaves. In fright and surprise he jumped off the tree and forgot to grab onto something. He hit the ground with a thud and sat up rubbing his back. Brian dropped to the ground landing on his feet.
"What the hell was that thing with the red eyes!" Ash yelled at Brian.
"Oh of the many Scizor in this forest." Brian replied calmly, "Pack quickly we must leave or the Scizor will get us."
"Scizor don't attack," Brock laughed from over the fire cooking breakfast.
Brian swiftly walked over to Brock and stood between him and Ash, "I wouldn't be so sure about that," he said lifting his shirt to show a long wide scar running from his shoulder blades to his waist.
"So Scizor don't attack?" Brian said mockingly.
"Holy crap!" Ash and Misty said in unison as they came around to see Brian's scar and Scott added his own when he came back from filling the canteens.
"Lets move," Ash ordered picking up one of Brock's breakfast snacks and tossed it to Misty and then picked up for himself.
Brock stuffed the cooking ware into his bag and grabbed the rest of the breakfast. Stopping, Brian listened to the sound of advancing Scizor. "Crap! They're on the move!"
Brian ran to the front and took the group on a winding path. Branches snapped and leaves rustled as the Scizor closed the gap. "At least they usually don't kill you!" Brian yelled back.
"Wonderful," Ash huffed under his breath.
The sounds kept growing louder and then everything went silent. "Shit! We're too late here they come!" Brian pointed to the trees.
"We can't let them take us without a fight!" Brock yelled as they slowly formed a circle.
"Yeah Pikachu can take 'em." Ash bragged.
"Some not all we gotta use everything we got." Brian commanded throwing out his Pokéballs.
Everyone followed along and when the Pokémon where lined up the trees exploded with Scizor. "ATTACK!" Brian screamed and his Pokémon dove in and took on Scizor after Scizor.
Overhead a familiar Meowth balloon floated along slowly. "Hey I see the twerps and a whole slew of Scizor and the Scizor seem to be attacking the kids," Meowth called out.
"Really?" James asked.
"Yeah the perfect chance to steal Pikachu!" Jesse pondered.
"Yeah!" Meowth and James added.
Out of nowhere came an unconscious Scizor. James turned to watch as the Scizor plunge through the balloon and come out the other side. Meowth looks up at the gapping hole in the balloon. "Team Rocket is flying off again!" they yelled in unison as the balloon took off.
Pokémon lay scattered along the ground and in hanging in trees. Brian Ran around checking on all the groups Pokémon. He found all of them still conscious and moving without serious injury. Brock was administrating bandages to the cuts and gashes left by the now retreating Scizor. "Next time you have this great shortcut tell us if something might try and kill us," Misty screamed clutching Togepi.
"We are only a mile from Azalea because of those Scizor will you just shut UP!" Brian yelled running along a narrow path with his Pokémon in tow.
"If we want to get out of this forest alive we'd better follow him," Brock suggested.
"Yeah whatever," Scott sneered, "he almost killed us. I say we kick him out of the group."
"We can think about that when we get out of these woods," Misty quivered, "I hate bugs!"
"Ha Ash you don't look so good. I hope next time I see you, you actually could be able to lose to me," Gary laughed as he walked past them towards the Pokécenter.
"Don't worry about him Ash you have Bugsy to worry about," Misty consoled Ash's hurt ego.
"Now we can decide if we are gonna kick Brian out of the group," Scott suggested.
"I think he left on his own, and it's not like he needs us we needed him," Brock responded quietly.
"Pika pi pichu ka." (He wasn't so bad.)
"You think we need him?" Ash laughed.
The discussion was interrupted by squealing tires and then they spotted a teen run down an alley and then a car slide in behind him.
"We can never get away from the action," Misty sighed.
Just then a shot rang out and then police cars and cops surrounded the scene in no time. "Lets go find out what happened," Ash suggested as he walked backwards towards the cars.
"What happened Officer Jenny?" Misty asked.
"A group of kids tried to kill a kid who had left town and came back."
"Is that kid hurt?"
"Brian? Oh nothing gets to that kid," She laughed.
Everyone was astonished when they heard Brian's name and they took off towards the middle of town.
"Hey guys," a familiar voice chimed from a driveway.
"What happened back there?"
"Oh yeah, Bugsy was still mad and then those guys came after me. Good thing I know the back streets."
"Man you got a bad rep in town," Ash smirked.
"Yeah I don't care though. Oh do you want to meet my parents?"
"If this is your house sure," Misty agreed.
Brian led the group up to the door, then it flew open, and Brian was in an embrace with his mom and dad. "Mom, Dad this is Ash, Misty, Brock, and Scott." Brian introduced.
"Hello," "Hey," "Nice to meet you," "Hey,"
"Would you like to stay for awhile?" Brian's mom asked.
"We'll come back after Ash tries for a badge." Brian answered.
"Good luck Ash and be careful."
"Thanks Mr. Gilhur. Let's go!"
"You know Bugsy uses bug Pokémon but he has trained them to be able to defend against fire attacks," Brian was informing Ash as they walked into the gym.
"BRIAN!!" a loud voice bellowed over the loud speakers.
"Hey! I'm the one here for a badge!" Ash interrupted.
"Well how many people are here for a badge?" Bugsy asked stepping down from his pedestal.
Three hands went in the air. "All three of you will receive a badge if Brian can beat me in a 3 on 3 match."
"Agreed!" Ash shouted.
"Then Brian please step over to the arena floor and prepare to meet your match," Bugsy growled.
"I beat you once and I will beat you again!" Brian growled back.
Sitting up in the stands Ash and Scott sat on the edge of their seats. "Ash weren't you a little hasty in agreeing for this battle," Misty asked.
"Nah, I saw how he fought those Scizor, he wont let any bug beat him. He'll be the worlds greatest bug trainer when he finishes Johto," Brian responded.
"WELCOME!" a voice boomed over the arena loud speakers, "We are glad you are you have chosen to come and watch this important battle between Bugsy and ex-gym member Brian."
The stands were filling up as people heard Brian was back in town. "This is a 3 on 3 match no time limit and on the line are 3 badges."
Confused spectators started whispering with each other, "3 badges?" "Why 3 badges?"
"Folks Brian has a joined a traveling group and is fighting for everyone's badge."
Down on the field Bugsy called "Well Brian just like last time except the pressure is on you."
"I'm just gonna beat you faster this time!" Brian yelled back.
"GO Spinarak!" Bugsy tossed the Pokéball onto the field.
"Come on Bugsy mix up the line up it's getting boring," Brian chuckled, "I think I'll start with Scyther."
Scyther landed on the floor, looked at Bugsy, and stuck his tongue out. "Hey!" Bugsy felt offended.
"What's the matter Bugsy can't take it," Brian laughed.
Back in the stands "Man Brian is laying it hard on Bugsy," Brock laughed.
"Yeah I just hope he can back it up," Misty worried.
"Scyther Quick Attack."
"Poison Web!"
"Ah a new attack! Scyther shred the web and hit Spinarak with Fury Cutter!"
Scyther swung his arms around wildly slicing the web with ease and then continued swing right at Spinarak. Spinarak dodged side to side and then landed a tackle into Scyther's chest. While Scyther was sliding back Spinarak attacked a String Shot to the end of one of Scyther's blades. "Dumb move!" Brian yelled, "Whip it Scyther."
Spinning fast and fast Scyther cut the string with his other blade and sent Spinarak into the stands. Spinarak bounced off a man's head and landed in Misty's lap next to Togepi. Screaming Misty swatted Spinarak Back onto the floor. "Spinarak is unable to battle Scyther is the winner."
"Thanks Misty!" Brian laughed.
"Go Metapod!" Bugsy growled returning Spinarak.
"Electric Blades Scyther."
"Tackle Metapod!"
Scyther quickly rubbed his blades together until they glowed yellow. He moved to attack and took a tackle to the face. Scyther had to set his blades into the ground to catch his balance. The electricity in his blades flowed right back into Scyther and sent him back along the ground unmoving. "Scyther is unable to battle Metapod is the winner."
"Dumb luck!" Brian snarled.
"Seems to be the theme of the day doesn't it!" Bugsy chuckled.
"Yeah it does but now it wont matter luck wont save you! Go Heracross."
"Hey Ash he's got one too!" Misty exclaimed.
"Yeah I wonder how good his is?"
"I bet he actually had to fight for his instead of having it find you once you got off the boat." Misty laughed.
"Slam that thing Heracross!"
"Tackle again!"
Heracross set his feet and caught Metapod in the air, jumped, and threw him to the ground. Metapod stirred and Heracross saw this and dove at Metapod. A crack filled the arena as Metapod's shell cracked. A white light exploded from the crack and a Butterfree appeared when the light faded. Brian looked to the official for a ruling. The official shrugged his shoulders and turned back towards the middle of the field. "Heracross Mega Horn Slam!!"
Heracross picked up Butterfree with his horn holding its legs and with great force bent over backwards slamming Butterfree's head into the floor. Heracross finished it off with a Skull Bash. "Back against the wall like last time!" Brian sneered.
"Maybe so but you don't have the defense to stop me!"
An explosion shook the building and smoke floated across the arena floor. "Prepare for trouble!" a female voice sang.
"And make it double," a male voice responded.
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all peoples within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Jesse!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now or prepare to fight."
"Meowth that's right!"
"It's Team Rocket," An angry voice accused from the crowd.
Rising from the crowd came an angry chant. "We aren't afraid of you!" Jesse yelled back.
Several people threw their Pokéballs onto the floor and out of them came angry Pokémon. "Now we're scared!" James wailed.
"Run!" Meowth screamed turning out the door and ran into Officer Jenny's leg and landed on his back.
"Well Ash at least this time you didn't have to get rid of them," Brock chuckled.
"Yeah," Ash relaxed.
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu sang waving his paw. (Bye Bye.)
"Those idiots are gonna be paying for the repair bills," Bugsy said in disgust.
"You can worry about that after I finish you off," Brian responded.
"Fine Scyther Go! Slash Attack!"
"Stop that Slash with your horn and hit it with a Mega Punch."
Scyther brought a blade straight down and Heracross caught it in the dent in the end of his horn and wound-up for his punch. Finding an opening Scyther chopped at Heracross with the other blade leaving a large cut on his arm. Heracross cringed in pain and slid his horn along Scyther's blade and hooked it on the end and rolled backwards slamming Scyther off the ground. "Mega Punch!!"
With his other arm Heracross wound-up again and drilled Scyther into the ground. Scyther slowly propped itself up with its blades and then launched itself blade first towards Heracross. Scyther stopped when Heracross slapped his claws on each side of the blade. Lifting up Heracross flipped Scyther back into the ground. Heracross jumped onto on top of Scyther and threw a few finishing punches. "Scyther is unable to battle Brian is the winner."
Brian ran out to Heracross and gave a hug, "you were great!"
Brian looked at his arm as he pulled it off Heracross, 'my god Heracross!' Heracross wobbled and fell to the ground as blood oozed from his arm. "Nice battle Brian!" Ash congratulated.
"Ash grab my badge and meet me at the Pokécenter," Brian ordered picking up Heracross and climbing over the debris left by the explosion and ran towards the Pokécenter. "What was that?" Ash asked turning to Brock.
Kneeling down Brock looked at a large pool of dark blood. Pointing at the pool, "This is what's up."
"Is that from Heracross?" Misty asked.
"I'm guessing the way Brian took off," Brock answered.
"Ash here are the 3 badges for you guys," Bugsy said handing Ash 3 shiny metal badges.
"Yeah thanks," Ash said setting Pikachu on the ground and climbing over the debris, grabbing Pikachu and taking off with everyone else right behind.
"Wait up Ash!" Misty yelled climbing over the debris clutching Togepi. Scott and Brock watched as Ash stopped for Misty and then took off looking at the thick trail of blood.
"Nurse Joy!" Brian yelled stumbling into the Pokécenter and sliding into the counter.
"Hey Brian, My God what happened!" she gasped as she spotted a long trail of blood along the floor.
Picking himself off the floor, "I was battling Bugsy," he gasped, "and his Scyther gave him a slash attack to the arm. Then Heracross passed out after he beat Scyther."
"Lets take a look at him. Bring him to the back," Nurse Joy pushed one of the swinging doors back as Brian moved behind the counter.
In the backroom Brian laid heracross on a table and looked at Nurse Joy. "Brian could you please wait out in the lobby I want to keep this room as clean as possible." Brian bowed out of the room and stepped back out into the lobby with his head down. A tear rolled down his cheek as he slumped over in a chair facing the counter, "You gotta pull through Heracross I need you," he whispered as another tear ran down his cheek. He jumped when the front door flung open a Team Rocket member strolled in a pulled out a gun a pointed it at Brian. "Give me your Pokémon or face the consequences," the man ordered. 'God Nurse Joy is in the back and the gang is at the arena so if I die it will be in peace.'
Brian dove behind the chair he was sitting in. The man ran after Brian firing several shots. "Get back here you bastard!" The man screamed as Brian ran behind the counter and dove to the ground.
Nurse Joy burst through the doors and the man turned and took aim. Reaching out Brian grabbed the bottom of Joy's out fit and pulled her to the ground. She screamed as a bullet pierced her shoulder. Blood soon soaked the area around the wound. Brian reached into a cabinet hoping to find bandages and his hand ran over a piece of smooth metal. Taking a hold of the metal he pulled it out, a gun. "Time to fight back," Brian whispered as he took off his backpack and laid Nurse Joy's head on it, "I'll get help ASAP," he whispered to Nurse Joy as he wiped a few strands of her hair off her face and she smiled.
The door slid open and the man turned to greet the new arrival. Brian took a chance; he jumped to his feet and fired a shot into the man's arm holding the gun. The man's gun bounced off the ground and fired another shot that hit the man in the side and it flew out of his other shoulder. The body lay on the ground with Brian still holding the gun out and on the other side of the body stood Ash and Misty. Misty wobbled and fainted and Ash jumped over to catch her. Setting the gun down Brian snatched up the phone and punched 911. After he relayed the information to the operator he kneeled down to Joy who was sweating from the pain. "Is their any thing I can do?" Brian asked in a soft voice.
"Just stay here until they come and get me, please," Joy pleaded.
"I can do that," Brian said sitting down taking hold of her hand.
Ash set Misty down in a chair and walked to the man's body. "He's dead," Ash announced placing his hand on the man's wrist.
Two men walked in with a stretcher. "Where is Nurse Joy?" the first man asked.
"Behind the counter," Ash pointed.
"Thanks," the second man thanked walking towards the counter.
With Joy in the ambulance they closed the doors and took off with lights flashing and siren blaring. Brian lowered his head and let a tear roll down his cheek. "Why are you so sad?" Ash asked from the chair next to Misty.
"We grew up together she is only 2 years older than me. We were playmates when we were young and our parents are still best friends," Brian replied sadly.
"Oh," Ash sounded sadder.
"Hey guys!" Brock yelled as he and Scott walked up to the door, "What did we miss?"
"Too much," Ash sighed.
"Aww isn't that cute, Misty is taking a nap," Scott cooed.
"No actually she passed out," Brian corrected.
"Why?" Brock questioned.
"Long story," Brian sighed.
"So how's Heracross?" Brock asked changing the subject.
"He needed stitches but nothing big he'll be fine in a few days."
"Where's Nurse Joy?" Brock asked looking around the quiet Pokécenter.
"In the hospital," Ash answered as Misty stirred in her seat.
"Wha-whats going on, is everything over?" Misty asked groggily.
"Yeah," Ash replied softly putting his arm around Misty.
"How bout we just head to my house and chill there for the night?" Brian suggested.
"Yeah." "Sure."
"Ok then follow me."
Ash picked up Pikachu who had decided it was a god time for a nap and Misty cradled Togepi in her arms. They walked out of the Pokécenter as 2 cops walked in. Both Brock and Scott looked back curiously. "Ok when we get to Brian's house we're gonna hear the story from the beginning," Brock demanded.
"Hey mom I'm home and I brought a few friends!" Brian called as he walked through the front door.
"It's so nice to see you again," Brian's mom said as she hugged him.
"Yeah same here," Brian replied.
"And so who are you friends here?" she asked releasing Brian.
"This is Ash, Brock, Scott, and Misty," Brian introduced.
"Hello." "Hey." "Nice to meet you."
"Please come in and sit down," Mrs. Gilhur motioned towards the living room.
Ash, Misty, Brock, and Scott took a seat as Brian walked out onto the back lawn. "Back home," Brian smiled letting his Pokémon out by the pond. "Hey Brian, mind if we let our Pokémon out too?" Ash asked from the door.
"Bring 'em out," Brian responded.
Brian stood and watched as his Pokémon got to know the rest of the Pokémon. The ground rumbled and a cloud of smoke and dust arose above the trees. "Hey guys?" Brian called through the doors.
Misty opened the door, "Brian we are talking to your mom please be more polite."
Brian turned to face the cloud and pointed at it, "that's not normal and it's coming from Slowpoke Well. I'm gonna go check it out."
Brian grabbed his Pokéballs and returned his Pokémon. He ran past the pond and disappeared into the trees with Misty yelling from behind. "Guys Brian took off we'd better go make sure he'll be ok," Misty suggested back inside.
"Yeah he's had enough action, we'd better back him up," Ash recommended.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered. (Lets go!)
"Are we gonna take our backpacks?" Scott asked grabbing a strap on his backpack.
"Nah," Brock shook his head, "we'll be back."
Ash stepped out the door and recalled his Pokémon and Pikachu jumped on his shoulder. When everyone had their Pokémon Ash set Pikachu on the ground, "You gotta help us find Brian," Ash said kneeling and patting Pikachu on the head.
"Pika pikach chu!" Pikachu chirped. (You can count on me!)
Sniffing the ground his ears twitched and tail stood on end. Lifting his head he ran off into the woods with the ground following behind. "Slow it down Pikachu!" Ash called forward trying to keep up.
Squinting Ash spotted Pikachu standing on his hind legs with arms spread wide screaming for them to stop. Dirt and rocks went flying as everyone dug their feet into the ground, "What's wrong Pikachu?" Ash asked confused.
Pikachu went down on all fours and walked a few feet and pointed down. "Crap!" Misty yelled looking down a long steep hill.
"How did Brian get down that?!" Scott exclaimed.
Pikachu pointed to two skids down the side of the hill. "So he knew that was here," Brock pondered.
The sound on engines got louder as Ash and the gang slid down the hill. When they reached the bottom they hid behind a large rock as the vehicles appeared around a corner. "Team Rocket," Ash hissed spotting a large red R painted on the side of the trucks.
The trucks rumbled into a nearby cave and two Rockets walked out to the entrance holding automatic rifles. "Is Brian in there?" Misty asked Pikachu.
"Pika chu pikachu ka pi pi," Pikachu whimpered. (The trail leads in there.)
"Well Ash how are we gonna get in there?" Scott asked with arms crossed.
"I'm gonna try Noctowl's Hypnosis on those guys," Ash answered grabbing Noctowl's Pokéball off his belt and throwing it up the hill into woods. Noctowl came flying out of the woods and flew towards the entrance. "Hey Larry look a shiny Noctowl!" the first Rocket laughed.
"Yeah Nate catch it you need it more than I do," Larry laughed.
Hovering Noctowl released a powerful hypnosis attack. The Rockets wobbled trying to fight the hypnosis but Noctowl kept pouring his power into the attack. Finally they collapsed snoring. A figure slid out into the open, grabbed a gun and each members Pokéball, and slipped back into the cave. "Did you guys see that?" Ash wide eyed.
"Yeah," Scott said jumping up and running to the entrance and picking up the other gun, cocked it, and walked into the cave.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered jumping on top of the rock they had hid behind. (Lets go!)
Ash, Misty, and Brock slipped from behind the rock and ran to the entrance. A hand grabbed Ash and another grabbed Misty. Both tried to scream but hands covered their mouths. "Shut up guys you'll let them know were here!" a voice hissed.
"Brian? Scott?" Misty whimpered pushing the hand off her mouth.
"Yeah," Brian whispered in her ear.
"Thank God," she sighed, "but where's Brock?"
"Shot!" Scott hissed scanning the lighted area of the cave.
A shadow appeared against the opposite wall and then a man appeared. "There's Brock," Ash pointed.
Scott ran around to the other side and then tackled Brock bringing him into the group. "Ow what was that for!" Brock screamed.
Misty slapped her open hand over his mouth and whispered into his ear. "Geeze next time just grab my arm and pull me over," Brock scowled.
"Ok enough lets go see what Team Rocket is doing," Brian walk along in the shadows.
Reaching an opening he stopped and turned back towards the group wide eyed. Ash and Scott ran to opening and gasped and then Misty and Brock made it to the opening and shook their heads. "My God! We gotta stop 'em!" Brian shouted.
"Yeah!" the gang shouted.
To be continued…