Disclaimer: I am not Nintendo. Nintendo owns Pokémon. Therefore, I do not own Pokémon. I do however, own Leena, Kenda, Nax, George, and the concept of the 'Master'. Additionally I own all original ideas herein. Which if you look at the overall scheme of things, isn't much.
Warning: There is, I believe, some small bit of swearing. Additionally, this one gets a bit violent near the end, but nothing graphic.
Notes: This story takes place only a day or two after Trainer's School ends. As was noted last time, this fanfiction is based more off the games than the show. No cannon characters, other than various monsters, appear in this fic. I think that's it. If you've got any questions and/or comments, e-mail me at Randelm@hotmail.com.
--Any and all errors, grammatical, spelling or otherwise are intentional. Honest.
First Catch
Leena has attracted some attention.
Leena smiled faintly as she walked through the darkening streets of Cerulean City, Kenda trotting at her heels and Nax walking in front of her, leading the way. Some would take offence to their monster taking the lead, but he wanted to protect her, and while she didn't think it was necessarily needed, she really didn't mind either. Besides her mind wasn't on where she was going, instead she was thinking back over the previous week. She'd spent most of her days practicing in the large water filled gym. She'd wanted to earn a badge, but the Gym Leader was gone on some important meeting called by Master Lance. But she'd done well and the regulars at the gym recognized her as a decent trainer.
"'Bout time to move on, huh guys?" said Leena out loud. Nax gave a noncommittal grunt and Kenda growled playfully. "Oh you're a lot of help," she muttered, poking Nax in the back playfully. He glanced over his shoulder, eye ridge quirked. Then something happened.
Sounds. Voices… coming from over there. The three moved quietly to where the voices were coming from, a dark alley unfortunately enough.
"Please… please, I don't have any money…"
"Quiet kid," there was the sound of fist striking gut and the first voice was reduced to sputters and coughing.
"Hey!" shouted Leena into the lightless space, "What's going on here?"
"Wha…?" Leena could barely make out one of the shadows turning to face her, "What do you want girl?" the sneer was evident in the mugger's voice as he strode towards her.
Leena drew her tonfa and spun them in what she hoped was an intimidating manner. "I want you to leave that person alone."
"You don't know what you're gettin' into here girlie. I suggest you leave me to my business."
"Absolutely not,"
"You asked for it," the thug was almost a foot and a half taller than Leena, dressed all in black, making it difficult to see him against the shadows. He charged the smaller girl and with a deft spin, Leena caught him in the chin with her blunt weapons. There was a sickening crack and he fell back, yelling in muted pain.
::My turn,::
::Take 'im Nax,::
"Ay-Chop!" three simple punches and the man was down.
::Leena, the kid's hurt!:: Kenda's mind speech was a bit frantic.
Leena quickly moved to where Kenda was trying to comfort the boy they had rescued. His face was bloody and swelling, he looked to be in overall bad condition. Her monsters looked at her, waiting for her to take the initiative.
"Nax, pick him up," the short but strong creature gently lifted the boy in his arms and the three headed to the only medical center Leena knew of in the city. When the three arrived at the Pokecenter with the boy, they were the immediate center of attention.
"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed a young lady in a nurse uniform.
"I didn't know where else to take him," muttered Leena uncomfortably as two large men were summoned by the nurse, bearing a stretcher.
"What happened to him?"
"Some punk mugged him in an alley a few blocks away. My companions and I took 'im out."
"Yes, yes," muttered the nurse. "A law enforcement officer will be here shortly, you can give them the details, yes?"
"Uh, sure," replied Leena, though she wasn't exactly excited about meeting with an officer, she was, after all, something of a runaway. Her worries were for naught however. The young man in the dark blue uniform asked her for a description of the man, and what had happened. When the officer bid her good night, Leena found herself alone in the lobby of the Pokecenter. Putting her back to the wall, she sat down cross-legged. Kenda hopped into her lap and immediately fell asleep, while Nax positioned himself lotus style next to Leena.
::How are you holding up Leena?:: Nax's grumbling mind speech asked.
::I'm tired, but I'll be alright. How 'bout you Nax?::
::I'll be good for several more hours, but I suggest we rest before leaving the city.::
::Sure, one more day couldn't hurt, but I wanna see if the kid's alright.:: Nax nodded understandingly, and slowly, Leena's eyes drifted shut.
Two hours later she was awakened by a light mental nudge from Nax. Opening her eyes, she nudged Kenda awake and stood to greet the young nurse she had met earlier.
"Hello," said the young lady, "My name is Illyena." The nurse offered her hand.
"I'm Leena, this is Nax and Kenda," Leena shook hands with Illyena, Nax bowed respectfully and Kenda gave a mewing sort of greeting.
Illyena smiled at them and spoke. "The boy has a few broken ribs and is bruised in several places, he's going to recover, but it'll be a while, he's under some pretty heavy anesthesia right now."
"I'm glad to hear he'll be alright. I'm leaving tomorrow morning but I didn't want to go without knowing, thanks."
"You young trainers," Illyena shook her head smiling, "Well, shall I give him your name when he wakes up?"
"Sure, I guess."
"Alright, good night Leena, and take care of yourself, I'd hate to see someone who takes such good care of their monsters, get hurt."
Leena, Nax, and Kenda left the building for the mostly darkened streets of Cerulean City. It was a pleasantly quiet walk through the cool night interspaced with pools of light from streetlamps to the hostel they were staying at. Nodding at the person manning the desk, the three made their way to the small room where Leena collapsed on the bed, Kenda curled up beside her and Nax sat with his back against the door and relaxed himself unto sleep.
~*~
"What happened to you?" asked the dark voice.
Jander shuddered, but answered in a formal and respectful voice. "I was attacked."
"By who?"
"A girl, and her Pokémon."
"Why did she attack you?"
Jander answered quietly, his eyes searching the floor.
"What was that?" sharp anger laced the question.
"I was tryin to get some money from a kid…" Jander knew the action would not be approved of.
"Despicable. You got what you deserved. But I am curious about this… 'girl'. You may leave now, your actions will be reported to Master Giovanni."
Quickly, Jander left; glad to have walls separating him and Master Myotis. That guy really creeped him out.
~*~
Leena walked at a leisurely pace down the hard packed dirt road, letting the sun warm her. Nax, ever watchful, took point with Kenda tagging along playfully behind. They traveled the entire day without seeing anyone and made camp a ways from the road. As soon as things were set up, Nax and Leena began to go through basic kata, being a martial artist monster, Leena had asked for lessons, and Nax had readily agreed. In return, Leena was teaching Nax use of the Tonfa, he was learning incredibly quickly. The three trained together in battle maneuvers, Leena slowly learning the limits and advantages of feeding power to her companions. While this technique allowed for higher energy in her monsters, it also sapped her own strength. They trained until the pitiful fire Leena had built was their only light.
Just as the three were about to settle into sleep, a shadowy figure entered the dimming ring of firelight. Instantly Leena had her tonfa drawn, Nax was in front of her in the somewhat flashy and wild Willtai fighting stance. In the back of her mind, Leena was aware of Kenda fading into the shadows of the trees.
"Who are you?" asked the girl in as forceful a voice as she could manage. Despite the adrenaline rush, the day's training had worn her out. The figure reached up and pulled back the hood of his black cloak and smiled. He was a handsome man, no more than thirty, black hair, dark eyes, creamy skin… handsome and cold.
"My name is Myotis,"
"What do you want?"
"I want you, Leena." The man's smile was sending warning chills up and down her spine.
"I don't think so," ::Kenda, Quick Attack!:: The dark garbed man stumbled forward, a shocked look on his face as Kenda plowed into him from behind. "I'm not goin' anywhere without a fight!"
"Fine, if that's the way you want it!" snarled the man. He flicked his hand and a large black demon like dog appeared. "Houndoom! Attack!" The creature leaped at Leena.
::Nax, Flash Kick!::
"Aye-Chop!" The devilish looking creature seemed somewhat surprised when Nax flipped, leg outstretched in and flashy looking but definitely effective kick, catching the other in the gut. The dog landed and was immediately on its feet, facing off against Nax.
Myotis glared at Leena, "You are good for one so young, but not good enough." He quickly strode towards her, hands outstretched. Leena whirled her tonfa.
::Kenda…:: Again the small brown furred creature sped out of the shadows of the forest in a Quick Attack.
"Not this time, Shadow Ribbons!" Streamers of darkness streamed from Myotis's fingers, connecting with Kenda and knocking her to the ground with a whimper.
At the same time, Leena charged forward and swung at the dark man. His form seemed to ooze out of the way and Leena over balanced. Something hard struck her across the back of her head. Vision left her, the only link to the real world was in her connection with her companions. Nax was tiring, his opponent, while not as clever, was definitely more powerful. Kenda was struggling to her feet.
::Kenda, Nax, run!:: And she knew no more.
~*~
The first thing she noticed was that she was cut off from Kenda and Nax. That frightening thought quite nearly sent her into a state of panic. However, just because she couldn't sense them didn't mean that they weren't alive. And if they were, panicking wouldn't let her avenge them. Slowly, carefully, she opened her eyes, sat up, and looked around. She was in a typical prison cell, a pallet covering the hard concrete floor rested in one corner, a pitcher of water sat next to a door in the vertical bars. Standing, she stretched and checked herself for any injuries. She was sore in several spots, and had a few bruises, but that was it. Slowly, she began to move into the movements of the first kata Nax had taught her. As she came to the end, her eyes closed, body and mind relaxed, she felt eyes on her. Ignoring them for the moment, she finished and settled herself into a half lotus position on the floor.
"Interesting. Where did you learn that Leena?" that cold voice unmistakably belonged to Myotis.
Opening her eyes she glared at him.
"I'm merely curious." When Leena continued to remain silent, Myotis continued. "I have captured your machop, a well trained creature. Unfortunately you're little eevee got away." He looked off into the distance, apparently thinking hard. "I have a request of you Leena. I want you to join us."
"Join who?" she spat.
"Team Rocket of course."
"Team Rocket? Hah, Ash Ketchum beat you guys into nothingness years ago!"
"Hmm, yes. He certainly put a crimp in out operations, but we are still around. And growing stronger with each passing day."
"And what makes you think I'll join you?"
"There are several benefits to Team Rocket. Like not being our enemy. And one such as you would rise quickly in the ranks."
"Thanks, but no thanks."
Myotis smiled. "I'll give you time to think on it." And with that he left.
She had to find a way out of here. She had to… And with a great yawn, she clumsily found her way to the thin pallet and sank into sleep.
~*~
There were two awarenesses. One was quite solid, strong, and trapped. The strong one, at this point, was unable to do anything more than be aware and reassure. The wild one though… the wild one was coming for her.
Leena ran through the forest, small paws thumping silently on the undergrowth, ears pricked for any sound that may be hostile, nose catching the scents… pidgey… caterpie… human. The sent of one who was relaxed, or perhaps bored. Carefully, Leena approached and found a young man dressed in a black uniform bearing a scarlet R on the left breast. The human was asleep. Easily she passed the young man, but cautiously. She was in enemy territory now. In the distance, she could make out a large low building, and her senses picked up more humans. These ones were alert. Keeping to the shadows she slipped silently through their paced perimeter and up to the building. She couldn't get in the way humans did, but perhaps…
Trotting silently around the building, she quickly found a window close to the ground that was slightly open. Peering in carefully she found that it led to a hallway, dimly lit. Smoothly she slipped in and began walking down the hall. Turning a corner she came to a set of stairs going down. She was going the right way. Down, and down, and down… After a time longer than she would have expected, she finally came to an end to the steps. As there was only one way to go, Leena went.
She passed a room, and though it wasn't the room of her final destination, she paused. The other was in there. The strong one. Slowly, Leena peered around the room. No one was there and so she entered and quickly began looking around. There, a red and white sphere, no different than any of the others around it, but somehow she knew. A few agile leaps later she was on the shelf, knocking the sphere to the ground where it bounced and came to a rest. Jumping down next to it, Leena batted at it experimentally, trying to figure out how to open it. There was the sound of footsteps, and Leena looked up to see a dark garbed man smiling down at her.
~*~
Leena sat up, gasping. Myotis was gonna get Kenda. Franticly she threw herself at the bars, yelling incoherently, trying desperately to get to her beloved companions. Dimly she was aware of some guardsmen bearing the scarlet R entering her cell and restraining her. Somewhere in her periphery, there was the sense of being damaged as volts of electricity were pumped into her. Darkness again overcame her and she again found herself in the body of her eevee companion. Myotis was causally walking towards her as she scampered around the room avoiding him. In his hand he held one of those balls. The strong one was still on the floor, several feet away. Leena reached deep inside herself to a reserve of power she'd been trained to use at the school.
::Free Nax and get out of here.::
::I don't know how to open the ball. And I'm not leaving without you.::
::I'll show you how to open it…::
"Ee-Vee!" Myotis was thrown off guard a bit, but the Quick Attack hadn't been aimed at him. Instead, the small brown creature dived for the pokeball and with a deft manipulation of its paws, a fully rested and quite angry Machop appeared in a flash of white light.
"Haa-Chop!" Leena and Nax concentrated together… focused their powers on the technique… A blueish ball of energy erupted from Nax's outstretched hands and connected with Myotis's chest. The dark man went down and stayed down. Grabbing a backpack off a counter, Nax and Kenda ran down the hall to where they knew she was.
::We're coming, Leena.::
The hard voice of Nax reassured her and she opened her eyes, her body feeling, for the first time, the pain the guards had inflicted on her. They were currently standing in the open doorway laughing roughly. The laughter trailed off a bit as she staggered to her feet.
"What the…"
And then Nax and Kenda were on them, rendering them unconscious before they knew what had hit them. Leena started towards them, but staggered and would have fallen if Nax hadn't caught her. Easily he lifted her in his arms and the trio headed for the stairs. But much commotion was coming from that direction, many pairs of feet heading towards them, shouted voices.
::We're trapped.::
::There's gotta be a way outta here, Nax.::
::I'm open to suggestions Little One.::
::Perhaps we can hide,:: answered Kenda as she turned to go further down the hall.
::All three of us?::
::It's the best chance we've got.::
The three figures, one being carried, hurried down the hall, Kenda looking for an appropriate place to hide. They passed several containment cells and some storage rooms. The next room seemed to be a lab of some sort. Looking quickly around, Kenda found a rack with several small vials containing a reddish liquid.
::Nax, close and barricade the door,:: ordered the eevee as she trotted over to the counter and jumped up onto it. Nax set Leena carefully down on an examining table and began to move heavy filing cases in front of the door. Sniffing carefully at the vials, Kenda smiled. Healing potions, those almost magical concoctions that accelerated the healing factors of one's body. As soon as there was sufficient number of heavy things blocking the door, Nax approached Kenda and the vials of liquid.
::What do ya think, Nax?::
Picking one up, the machop examined it carefully, ::Definitely a healing potion. I'll see if I can get her to drink it.:: Nax approached to where Leena was lying on the table and gently lifted her head, placing the lip of the vial to her mouth.
::Drink, Leena, drink…:: sent Kenda.
Slowly Nax poured the contents of the potion down her throat and she drank reflexively.
::There, she should be fine in a few minutes,:: noted Nax as someone began to pound on the door. ::Well, now what?::
::Bring 'em on, we can take 'em:: Kenda growled menacingly, glaring at the blocked portal.
::I don't think we can fight off the whole base::
::Definitely not,:: added Leena. Both monsters turned to look at her as she gingerly sat up and looked around. ::It's me they want.::
::No! Leena you can't give yourself up.::
::I don't plan to, Kenda. But like Nax said we can't fight them all off.::
Just then a deafening explosion knocked the hastily erected barricade aside and several black garbed Team Rocket members entered the room accompanied by their Pokémon. The one in the lead pointed a shiny silvery gun at her. Leena stiffened at the site of the metal contraption. Firearms were rare and expensive, whoever was funding Rocket had both the money and resources to produce and use the destructive weapons.
"Master Myotis wants a word with you, girl."
Quite slowly and deliberately, Leena secured her belt bearing her weapons to her waist and slung her backpack over one shoulder.
"Lead the way," she responded putting as much confidence into the comment as she could. The three were led by the large group of grim looking Rocket members through the hallways of their base. After several minutes, they came to an officious looking room with a few chairs and another door, that Leena assumed lead to Myotis's office. The Rocket with the gun rapped sharply on the door.
"Send her in," Myotis's cold voice came through the door. The Rocket opened the door and waved the three in with his gun.
"You've put up quite a fight, Leena," the pale man's office was dimly lit, no windows, and uncomfortably warm.
"Gee thanks."
"This is the final time I will make the offer Leena."
::On the count of three…::
"Stuff is Myotis."
::One…::
"You'll whish you hadn't said that, Leena."
::Two…::
"It's not wise to make enemies out of Team Rocket."
::Three!::
The three moved at once. Leena, tonfa whirling, swung at Myotis who dodged that blow only to be struck by a viscous right cross from Nax, and Quick Attack in the gut from Kenda. The evil man was on the ground, gasping for air and reaching for one of the pokeballs at his belt.
"Houndoom!" he shouted throwing the ball in the air where I opened in a flash of light.
"Draa-joon!" As the devilish hound materialized, Nax struck it with a flaming uppercut.
"Ee-vee!" Again Kenda curled herself into a Quick Attack and struck the dog.
Myotis was standing up and Leena launched herself at him, tonfa whirling. Myotis may have been a decent trainer and Master of the Dark Element, but he was no hand-to-hand fighter. A particularly hard swing caught the man in the wrist and a sickening crack informed her that it had been broken. As Myotis clutched at his damaged wrist, Leena sent another strike at his head. He crumpled to the ground and didn't move.
Kenda and Nax had the houndoom backed into a corner when the door burst open. That same gun-toting villain appearing in the doorway. The houndoom, taking advantage of the distraction, leapt at Nax, but the martial artist was ready and used the dog's momentum to throw him at the intruder. The gun went skittering across the floor, right towards Leena.
Picking up the firearm, she pointed it at the dog and the Rocket member. "You," she said in a commanding voice to the human. "Don't move. Nax, get this dog's pokeball." Nax did so and handed the sphere to Leena. "Recall!" she shouted and the houndoom was summoned, growling menacingly, back into the red and white ball.
"Now, stand up." The man did as he was told, glaring at Leena and her monsters.
"You'll never escape, girl," the man sneered. A sound from behind her was all that alerted her to he blast that knocked her against the wall. The weapon falling from her hands. Opening her eyes and shaking her head to clear her vision, Leena found Myotis glowing with an impossible black light, Nax facing him, fists raised, Kenda rushing towards her, and the Rocket member charging Nax from behind. All this was flashed before her eyes in one instant, and the next she had reacted. She was never certain just what had made her make the decision she had.
A red and white sphere flew through the air and struck Myotis in the head. There was a flash, a shout of panic, and Myotis was gone, a wildly bouncing pokeball in his place. Finally after a few moments, it stopped. Nobody moved. The Rocket stared in horror, Leena stared in fascination.
Suddenly the Rocket jumped up and headed for the door, but Kenda was quicker and tripped the man who landed with a thud. Nax grabbed him and slammed him against the wall once, then let him fall to the floor, unconscious.
::Whoa,:: Kenda said quietly.
::I think it's time to leave,:: added Nax.
"Yeah," Leena replied out loud and somewhat distractedly. "Let me pick up a few things first." First she grabbed the pistol, then searched the Rocket member and found two box like items that looked to be of the same material as the gun, then she took the belt and holster he had carried the weapon on. Then she moved to the pokeball containing Myotis.
::Should we take him with us?:: asked Kenda.
::I'd rather not,:: responded Nax.
::You're right, I don't want to be anywhere near him. But…:: Taking out her pokedex, Leena pointed it at the pokeball.
Myotis Thenguard, Dark Pokémon Master
Number: ???
Type: Dark
Species: Human
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 145 lbs
Level: 5
Dark Pokémon Masters are able to control the absence of light and manipulate it to perform various tasks including, but not limited to, battle. Myotis is quite adept at training Dark and Fire type Pokémon.
"Wow, this thing is really advanced," whispered Leena. "Thank you Professor Oak." She smiled and looked up at her companions. "Let's get out of here."
The base was in chaos, and the three found it easy to slip out of the secret compound and into the forest. They kept moving all through the night and half of the next day before arriving at Pewter City where they took a room at the local hostel and promptly fell to sleep.