3. Secrets Revealed
Misty couldn't say a word. She remembered that name, from the report on the TV. "Did I say anything wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost.", Drake asked her. "Uh, no… not really.", she said. "Oh well, that settles that. I'm going back to the Pokemon Centre. Do you want to come along?", he asked. Misty nodded, and followed him to the centre. Upon arriving, Ash and Pikachu just stepped outside, to look for Misty. When he saw Misty and Drake coming, he walked up to them to greet them. "Hey Misty, where have you been?", he asked. "I'll tell you that when I get something to drink.", she replied, and walked past him inside. Drake stopped in front of Ash. "Hey there. Are you a friend of her?", he asked. "Uh, yeah. My name is Ash. Pleased to meet you.", Ash replied. Drake shook his hand. "I'm Drake. Nice to meet you.", he said, and walked inside. Ash followed with Pikachu.
"So, you've beaten Team Rocket single-handedly? Without Pokemon?! That's amazing!", Ash said, after hearing the story Drake just told. The whole group sat on a table in the centre, while eating some lunch. "Yup. I just hate it when people use their Pokemon to hurt other people and their Pokemon. It makes me mad, so when I see it happen, I step in, no matter what. It so happens to I was around when your friend here got attacked.", Drake said. "I really appreciate that. Thank you so much.", Misty said. "Hey, anytime, when I'm around.". "So, what are you doing here?", Ash asked their new friend. "I'm here for personal business. But I'll leave for Kanto anytime soon.", Drake replied. "Oh, okay. Sorry for asking.", Ash said. "Don't mention it.". Brock suddenly stood up. "Hey, I have to do some shopping in the Mart. We're fresh out of medical supplies. Be right back!", he said, and walked out of the centre. "And you? What's your plan?", Drake asked. "Well, we're staying here for the night, because we're on our way to Pallet Town, my hometown.", Ash explained. "I'm going that way too. Mind if I come along?", Drake offered. "What do you think, Misty? Would be nice to have a new friend along the way.". "Sure. Welcome in the group, Drake!", she smiled. "Thanks. I only go to Viridian City, but thanks anyway.", he replied. He forced a smile on his face.
Two hours later, Brock returned from the Mart. He had bought enough supplies to last for a week or two. After he welcomed Drake to the group, he offered him some supplies as well. "Thanks, but I have my own. I make them myself, you know.", he explained. After he teached Ash and his friends how he made his own medicines, they decided to stay in the centre for one more night. Ash couldn't sleep that night very well. The rest, even Pikachu, was in a deep sleep. He just layed on his back, staring at the roof. Suddenly, he heard footsteps in the room next to him. He checked his watch. "It's almost 2 o'clock. What is he going to do at this time?", he thought, and heared the footsteps leaving the room, fading away. "Well, probably it isn't my business, so let's stop wasting time figuring it out.", he thought. A few moments later, he was asleep.
The next morning, everyone checked out of the Centre. On the street, Ash asked: "Well, shall we get going? We'll never get home at this rate.". Everybody nodded, and the group left Olivine City. The sun was shining, and a few clouds filled the sky, and there was alomst no wind. As always, Pikachu was sitting on Ash's shoulder, and enjoyed the view. Drake, however, was the only one that kept silent along the way, while the rest was talking. Ash lowered his walking speed, so that he could walk next to him. "Hey Drake, what's on your mind? You haven't said a word since we left Olivine City.", he said. Drake looked at him, and forced a small smile. "Just don't have anything to talk about.", he replied. Not entirely satisfied by his answer, Ash thought that it would be wise not to force some answers. Ash checked his watch. "Hey, it's almost noon. Let's say we find a place to have lunch.", he suggested. Everyone agreed, and after a little while they found a small field with a lake. Brock made lunch as always. But before they could start, a huge explosion destroyed a part of the field, leaving quite a crater. Four people and two Pokemon appeared. It were Jessie, James and Meowth, and Cassidy, Butch and Raticate. They smirked when they saw their enemies sitting on the field. "What's the matter, brats? Did that explosion scared ya?", Butch said, while taking another grenade. The whole group couldn't move an inch of fear, that is, everyone except Drake. He remainded calm, while he sat on the ground, searching his backpack, even when the grenade exploded. "Hey, you! I'm talking to you!", Butch yelled at him. Drake closed his backpack, and stood up. He turned to them, and his face almost made Team Rocket shiver. Almost.
"Can't you people see that we are about to relax?", he said angrily. "Like we care. We are here for you, just to let ya know.", Jessie said. Ash and his friends looked at Drake. "Drake! Surely you don't think about the idea of fighting them?", Ash asked. "That's exactly what I'm thinking of. Now, please, stand back. This will only take a minute.", Drake replied, and stepped forward. His friends backed off. "So, you actually think you can beat us? What a joke. You may have beaten us once, but now you're outmatched in every way!", James said. The rest started grinning, and surrounded Drake. Drake looked at them. "It's about time to show you all what I'm truly capable of.", he said, and took his fighting stance. Misty, who had seen Drake fight, relaxed a bit. "Don't worry guys, Drake has it under control.", she said. Ash had already pulled out a Pokeball. "You have to be kidding. He doesn't stand a change against the six of them!", he said. "Put your Pokeball away, Ash, and you'll see what I mean in a few moments.", she said. Ash putted his Pokeball away, and waited.
"Kid, you will pay for what you did to us. No Pokemon this time, only these two, and us!", James said, and raised his fists. The rest followed his example, and Meowth and Raticate readied themselves as well. "You should know, that with your kind of strength, you can't even hit me.", Drake said, and raised his arms a little. His clothes and hair began to wave. "Where's that wind coming from?", Cassidy asked. "I told you that you will find out what I can do.", Drake said. "It's coming from him! Meowth and Raticate! Attack!!!", Butch yelled. The two Pokemon lunged at Drake. Raticate was the first to arrive, but was hit by an elbow straight in his face, and was kicked back. Meowth tried to do his Fury Swipes, but Drake kneed him in his stomach, and uppercutted him upwards. Meowth flew up, came down and Drake punched him back. Meowth bounced away, fainted. Drake looked at the ground. "Well, what are you all waiting for? Here I am, open to any attack.", he said, and lowered his arms. His hair and clothes had stopped waving. Team Rocket looked at him, but weren't so cocky now anymore. "Allright! We'll all attack together!", Jessie suddenly yelled. Ash watched in fear that they might lose their new friend. "I'm tired of watching! I'm going to help!", he yelled, and started to run to Drake. Brock stopped him in his tracks. "No Ash! Stay where you are. He has to do this on his own!", he yelled. Ash stopped, waiting whit growing anger and fear.
Team Rocket started to run at Drake. He didn't even look. "Now! ATTACK!!!!", Jessie screamed. Drake looked up. He raised his lower arms. "HAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!", he yelled, and with a huge burst of energy, a white aura emerged. It waved around his entire body. The force of the burst threw his attackers away. They landed, but still didn't wanted to admit their defeat, and charged again, screaming. "Some people will never learn.", Drake thought. His aura waved heavily, as he brought out more of his strength. His muscles grew a little bigger. Then, in the blink of an eye, he charged at James, kicking him back. James was out before he landed against a tree. Drake then jumped back, landed at his startingpoint, and drived his elbow in Cassidy's face. A cracking sound could be heared, as he had broke her nose. He turned around, and punched her away. He jumped up, and kicked both Butch and Jessie with a roundhouse kick. He landed in front of them, and lunged forward, punching Jessie backwards. Butch, still dazed by the attack he just received, didn't see the elbow coming from behind. He smacked down, unconsious. Drake landed, and his aura vanished. He didn't even break a sweat. He turned around and started to walk to his friends. Then he heard a clicking sound behind him, and turned around. Butch threw a grenade, straight at Ash and his friends. "ASH! WATCH OUT!!!", Drake screamed, and lunged at his friend, swinging his right arm around Ash's neck and his left arm behind his back. Together they jumped back, just when the grenade exploded. They both landed hard on the ground. Drake got up, knowing that he wasn't hurt. He looked at his enemies, who made a run for it. "YOU COWARDS!!!", he screamed, and stretched his arm forward with his hand open, and shot an energy blast after them. It missed, and his foes were gone. "Ash! Are you allright? Talk to me!". Drake turned around when he heard Misty talk. Ash was unconscious. His clothing had been ripped open at some places from the explosion, and blood was pouring out. "Damn, we have to bring him to a hospital! Let's return to Olivine City, NOW!", Drake yelled, and picked up Ash. Carefully he secured him, and then all of them began to run back to Olivine City.
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Team Rocket has done it this time. Drake managed to hold them off, but Ash is in critical condition. Can Ash be saved in time? And can they pay Team Rocket back for what they did to him? Decisions are made, in the next chapter!