Chapter 6

Biker Encounter

"So Ash," I said as we walked down the sunny path, "What brought you out of seclusion in Mt. Silver?"

"Ah, I don't know," Ash said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It just got so boring in there… To tell you the truth, that's where I met Gold."

"Really?"

"Yep. About a year ago, he sought me out inside the cave, and we fought a wild battle… he beat me… but that only gave me respect for him. So we've been buds ever since."

"That's cool." I said, and we walked in silence for a bit, and then I said, "Well now I must ask you a very important question… are you going to ask Misty out or what?"

A huge sweat drop formed on Ash's head. "Well…uhh… that's to say…heheheh…umm…we don't…really see each other anymore… she went back to being the Cerulean Gym Leader. Although I do miss her…" he said with a sigh.

"Well hey, maybe we'll stop over in Cerulean, huh? Say hello to her."

Ash frowned. "I don't know if we'll have time. Gold says that it's pretty important what he has to tell us."

"Oh…" After a bit more walking, I said, "Ash, you know, you're famous where I come from."

"Famous? Really?" He said, blushing a bit.

"Oh yeah! People have put you into stories, and songs, and TV shows… you're a legend!"

Ash sweat-dropped again. "Well…that's cool I guess…"

"Pika pika!" Pikachu agreed from his shoulder.

Suddenly, I heard a faint rumbling noise in the distance, growing louder every few seconds. "What's that noise?" I asked Ash.

Before he could answer, a whole gang of punk Bikers pulled over the hill and started coming towards us. When they spotted us, they moved closer, and soon we were surrounded.

"Well looky here," said the leader, who was about 20 with tattoos and spiked hair, "A couple of new kids on the block." He looked over at me. "I especially don't remember seeing YOU around here, punk. What's your name, boy?"

I stepped forward defiantly. "My name is Paul Cricklin!"

"Paul Cricklin?!" he said in amusement, looking back at his comrades and laughing, "What kinda stupid name is that?"

"Hey leave him alone, alright?" Ash said, stepping forward. "We don't want any trouble."

"Oh well you GOT trouble now," the leader snarled. "Who's up for a little ass-whooping?" He jumped off his bike and approached me. "How about YOU, newbie?" He said, pushing me back.

I turned to Ash. "Leave this to me," I said.

"You can't take him on," Ash whispered back. "You lost to me, so you'll lose to him!"

"Not necessarily," I said. "Don't forget, all YOUR Pokemon's levels are in the 70's."

"Mm.. Good point." Ash said. "Well, good luck then."

"Alright you," I growled, removing a Poke Ball from my belt. "I'll fight you. 2 on 2."

"Heh, your funeral," the biker laughed. The rest of the bikers moved out of the way and cleared a spot in the center of the road. The biker whipped out a Poke Ball and threw it down. "Weezing, get the hell out there!" A Weezing appeared, coughing and spewing smoke.

"Golem, let's get moving!" I cried, throwing down Golem's ball. She appeared with a cry.

"Weezing, use your Sludge Bomb attack!" The biker snarled. Weezing threw forth a volley of poisonous sludge and muck. Golem took the attack well, most of the sludge sliding off her smooth rock body.

"Alright Golem, use Magnitude!" Golem leapt up in the air and slammed back down on her rear, and a seismic wave ripped through the ground and tore into Weezing, who was practically drained but for a little bit of life.

"That's dirty play," The biker growled, "Exactly what I'm good at. Weezing, Explosion!" Weezing began to glow, and then to shake.

"Get down!" Ash cried, pushing me down to the ground as Weezing erupted in a massive explosion that blew several of the bikers off their motorcycles. Although Golem was a rock type, she couldn't handle the blast, and fainted.

"You did good, Golem," I said, withdrawing her. "Alakazam, let's rock!" Alakazam appeared from his Poke Ball.

"Magmar, get your ass moving!" The biker said, releasing his Magmar.

"Alakazam, use Psychic!" I called. Alakazam raised his spoons in the air, and then the air became thick with psychic energy, and Magmar was blown backwards into his trainer and instantly knocked out. The battle was over and I had won.

"Piece of cake," I said cooly, withdrawing Alakazam.

"You…" the biker growled, slowly getting to his feet, "You're strong… Ha! I like that!" He got back on his bike. "Listen up, kid! If you ever want to join our gang, seek us out! We'll take you. Hey, no hard feelings?"

"None." I said.

"Good." Then he turned to his gang. "We ride North!" And they all zoomed off into the distance.

"Well I must say," Ash said, "You are truly skilled at battling. It seems you have had much practice already."

"Yes, I have." I said. "Very much."

Ash looked at his watch. "Well, it's almost midday. We should get a move on to Ilex Forest if we want to reach Olivine by the time Gold's ship comes in."

"Then let's get moving." I said, shouldering my pack. And so we continued on towards Ilex Forest.