Jeese! Chapter five already! Glad to see I've made it that far, hope you are too. Any created Pokemon belong to me, you
know Fireline {popular one so far}, Artico, so email me when you use them so I can take a squiz at your work. Shirasharmi@hotmail.com
The Union Reunion
Nothing.
That's what I first saw when I woke up. I tried to reach up and shift the position of my lopsided Orange League cap, but my hands
were wrapped around behind a stalagmite, tied tight. I jerked my head and my cap flipped sideways and hung from my Ponyta tail.
I should have left it on. Instead of the cold wet stone floor next to the churning water were the eight beginning trainers I'd started
with and three others I didn't know. Each was tied to a stalagmite next to another pool of water. A shadow floated in the centre and
I could hear it whimper sadly to itself.
Adam and Ashlee were tied together on a stalagmite opposite me. They snapped and barked at each other, blaming the other for
the mess they were in now. Tiffany, the blond hair girl how had taken Cleffa, and another girl, short with spiky green hair jutting
from her head, sat talking quietly to one another against the pillar that held them tight. Ryan, the short kid who'd chosen
Charmander, and Matthew, the owner of Pichu, were tied to another but stared into the distance as if imagining this wasn't
happening and all was fine.
Sky, tall blond boy who'd chosen Mareep, sat cracking jokes trying to cheer everybody without much success. He was constantly
told to shut up by Adam and Ashlee, without much success.
A shot distance away, Kylie the brown hair mouse who'd left with Igglybuff, a girl with long curly pale rose colour hair, and a boy
with long blonde hair were around the same stalagmite. The boy looked ready to blow. His sat with his knees to his chest
muttering in a low guttural speech. The girls were sobbing, I couldn't tell if it was there lack of freedom that made them cry, or
Sky's corny jokes.
Behind me bound to the same stalagmite was Sumalee, snoring softly and drooling slightly. Her red streaked black hair fell into
face, her legs outstretch in a V. All the trainers were helpless and Pokeless, as was I, but I had hope. At least a few of my
Pokemon were hidden and could try to free us. I twisted my head for a better view of our surroundings. A pile of our Pokeballs was
sorted by colour.
I spied my crimson Pokeballs near the edge of the pile. Only five of them were full. My mind raced as I tried to determine who was
missing.
"Fury, Chilun, Mystic, Aqua, Talorn," I murmured to myself and then groaned loudly. Bolt was missing. With that inattentive
Mareep wandering around we had next to no chance of escape
I shook my head to relieve it of the fog that wrapped around my brain but only made it ache. My mind stumbled along trying to
think of anything to escape. From Superman, to the Wings of Council swooping in and beating the stuffing out of these morons. As
they say, Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand.
I groaned again at the thought of Bolt sitting in the middle of the Zubat hall twiddling his paws and Suma's snoring changed note.
Adam and Ashlee stopped bickering and squinted in the gloom.
"Your awake!" they said, and than glared at each other as if arguing who said it first. Like it mattered.
I nodded slowly so not to aggravate my throbbing temples. "How long have you been here?"
"Four days. They took us by surprise and before we could use our Pokemon we were out like a light by some sort of sleep powder.
When we woke up they had our Pokeballs. Some of these guys were here before us. Sky was and hasn't shut up about, Did you
here about the one why the Farfetch'd crossed the road," Adam said, his shoulders sagging.
Ashlee continued to explain. "They give us minimal food and water and than taunt us by making our Pokemon do humiliating
chores. Each time they're let out of their Pokeballs they try to escape. And because only one or two are allowed out at a time they
overwhelmed by the other Pokemon. Your lucky you didn't see what they did to your Natu."
Imagining was a lot worse than actually seeing it. My mind eye concocted nameless forms performing various tortures on Mystic.
All the while she cried out to me for help. I shook away the images and growled as loud as my parched throat would let.
"If I get my hands on whoever has my Pokemon, they're going to be cleaning their teeth by shoving a toothbrush up their as...."
My threat was interrupted as five shadows slipped from the shadows. "Big words for one in such a condition as you," Angel said in
his whisper soft voice. His white hair and ice blue eyes gleamed cold in the darkness analysing every detail of my pathetic state. I
looked down and saw for myself.
My red and black sneakers were a ghost of there former selves. The shoelaces were ragged and the soles were melted from the
fire. My legs were shredded and congealed blood was matted everywhere, I couldn't have stood up had I wanted too. My poor
uniform! Charred at the cuffs, bloods stains were everywhere from the Zubats attack it would have taken a miracle wash to restore
it to its former glory. Rips and holes were so numerous I was lucky it covered the essentials.
Too bad I failed Home Economics, I thought mournfully even though it wasn't the least of my problems.
My arms were scarred so badly I almost couldn't believe what they had looked like when Healtia had cured my burns. My
fingernails were nothing but nubs as well as chipped and dirty. I couldn't see my face and I didn't want to.
"Can't do your Karate now can you," he scorned.
To my utter surprise Suma snapped awake and roared so loud I think even Angel was taken aback.
"WHY YOU SPYING LITTLE PERVERT! WHEN I'M THROUGH WITH YOU NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO TELL YOU FACE FROM
YOUR ASS!"
"No one can do that anyway," I said as I glared daggers at Angel.
"Come come, that's no way for guests to speak of their host," he chuckled. "Why don't you meet my associates? Ricky, Renee,
Kathy and Pug. I'm sure they'll do they're best to keep you comfortable," Angel mocked.
Ricky stood tall and erect beside him; his broad shoulders back so to make himself look more dangerous than he really was. His
orange hair looked more like the spines of a Quilfish and his hazel eyes glittered venomously. His mouth was set in a permanent
sneer. A real braggart.
His partner Renee was another matter altogether. She hung off Ricky's arm possessively, but if did have any interest in her other
than business; there's no way I would have guessed it. Short and stubby, her identical rocket uniform seemed to strain to keep her
bulge hidden. Fire engine red hair was coiled around her head like a beehive. Way too much blue eye shadow was heaped under
her bland green eyes. It was amazing she had any confidence at all, let alone all she had.
Kathy and Pug were so much alike the must have been related. Each had a slim frame, Pugs more masculine and Kathy's
shapelier. Both had a mass of lavender curls, Kathy's cascaded down to her waist and framed her delicate heart shaped face.
Large green eyes were her main feature but her soft pink lips were a close second. Sky ceased his eternal yammering to stare.
Pug was the other side of the same coin. His hair was a shade darker and hung by his ears, adorned by a single gold stud. His
eyes were more of a sea green and studied everything with great interest. He must play chess because I could practically here the
wheels in his head thinking six move forward.
I was suspicious. "Where's Tobias?" I asked slowly.
"Here," he smirked coming out of the darkness out our left. It was my turn to yell and scream.
"YOU SNIVELING WORM! YOU COWARD!" I screamed even though my throat protested. My tone then turned soothing, and
desperate.
"Come on Noctowl, you remember me don't you? You were a HootHoot and you were hiding from him. I caught you, fed you and
trained you. He stole you, Noctowl. Please help us?"
The Noctowl on Tobias's shoulder cocked its head and looked at me quizzically. I noticed its feather shone, brightening the area
and I could make out the silhouette on the water. A long elegant neck arched from a spiky shell that covered its back. Thinking
through my studies I placed it as a Lapras. But it was so tiny and frail. No more than a child.
"What's with the Lapras?" I changed the subject coldly.
Tobias's usual scowl changed to one Caesar must have worn before he crushed Hannibal on the Alps.
"Our latest triumph! A Lapras, no matter how weak, is worth more than all your Pokemon put together. When we show it to our
superiors we will be forgiven for our last mess up.
Angel sent he a cold stare that said all to clearly who had bungled it.
"Then why isn't it in a Pokeball?" Adam pointed out.
Renee spoke up and I wish she hadn't, though the information proved useful.
"We haven't caught it yet. Our Pokemon can't reach it. Tobias's Wartortle and Ricky's Tenticool can't weaken it and your Pokemon
refuse to battle."
God! If I were Ricky I would have jumped off a building long ago, or at least asked for a new partner. Anything was better than
listening to Renee's nasal, squeaky gate voice. But then again flattery works wonders. Probably explained his big head too.
The green haired girl near Tiffany scoffed. "So, six incredible Team Rockets can't beat one baby Lapras? Pitiful! How far is the
image of the greatest Pokemon thieves of all time gonna fall when the world hears of this!" She snickered but was cut off by
Tobias's punishment of no food for tonight. We all groaned but no one turned on the girl. It was good to see our team still had spirit
left.
"Your braver than you look," I complemented.
"You too, I didn't believe Sumalee when she first told us of your adventures, but from the looks of you, now I'm not to sure."
I nodded. "Zubat's," I said as if it were no more than blowflys on a summers evening. Yes I know, flattery gets you nowhere, but I
wasn't immune. "And you are?"
"Darcy Daniel's, or DC for short, soon to be Master of the Johto League!"
After a round of protests, I answered with a grin, "Topaz Matthews, soon to be Master of the Wings of Council!"
"Shut up or no food tomorrow either," yelled Tobias.
I decided not to argue. I whispered goodnight to my friends, old and new, prayed, to who I don't know because I'm an atheist, that
the Pokemon were alright and for strength, courage, and knowledge to survive the following days.
It was difficult to get to sleep, none what so ever for Sumalee who after minutes was snoring soundly, but after struggling with the
chains for a while, I manoeuvred into an almost comfortable position so that they didn't dig into my wrists a as much and stared
into the darkness....
I must have fell asleep because when I woke up, I was famished. An enticing smell fluttered under my nostrils, but when I peeled
my eyes open, I saw it was nothing more than a slice of bread with honey on it. But I didn't complain, I tried to grab it but my
chains yanked me back.
I took my eyes off the feast for a moment to see who offered it.
"Go torment someone else, Angel," I barked, trying to reach for my food.
"So be it, Topaz," he smiled with contempt and placed the bread on the ground on front of me. He picked himself up of the ground
with the grace of his name, laughed at me again and turned to feed a Ryan.
Gawd! I make us sound like a pack of mongrel dogs.
Anyhow I twisted and turned until I had the corner of the crust and pulled it closer. I ripped off as much as I could and swallowed
greedily, another strip and another until it was all gone. I frantically tried to lick the last of the honey around my lips. It was
demeaning, I know but I needed energy if we were to escape. The others had settled back into being good little prisoners while I
studied my surroundings further, hoping for inspiration. There were three exits, one to the left where I had apparently come in, one
to the left, which the Rockets kept disappearing in and out of. That was two down and out. The third was across the water and
seemed to be guarded by the tiny Lapras. The first specks of a plan were forming in my itty-bitty brain.
I saw four Pokemon being lead out of the second exit, a Smeargle, his tongue hanging out, panting. Cactokori the grass type
Pokemon that looked like a cactus and a beginning Pokemon of the Metone area, his green eyes tinged with sadness as Ricky
whipped him. Suma's Fireline yowling like, well, a cat on a hot tin roof and embers flashing in the gloom. Abra, fading in and out as
it tried to teleport, but a silver devise wrapped around its bony wrist somehow kept it from using the technique.
A flicker of movement suddenly caught my eye in the first tunnel. I turned and focused on the wisp of blue just inside. Cal's
mischievous grin widened as he saw I knew where he was. At his side was a dazed Mareep. This had changed the situation for the
better and I nodded that I had a plan.
"Who trains Abra?" I whispered and waited till the message was passed down the line. I was lucky when the reply returned that it
was Rose, the girl that sat with Kylie and she was to the right and ahead of me so we could talk easily.
"Do you have a TWT?" A TWT was a Telepathic Wave Translator. You hooked it up to your ear and allowed you to control a
psychic Pokemon without having telepathic powers and this was what my new plan relied on.
Rose shook her dainty head. My heart did a double beat, but I couldn't get head of myself, pride comes before a fall, so to say.
She may have caught Abra, not knowing about the requirements.
"Are you psychic?" She hesitated, and then nodded again.
"OK, now where in business! Look behind you out of the corner of your eye and you'll see a kid with blue hair. That's Cal and we
need him to escape. Would you be able to tell him what I tell you? Guys, your gonna have a game of Chinese Whispers. Ready
Rose?"
"I can direst your thoughts to him and his to you," she said, barely a whisper.
"Can you broadcast it to the others and those Pokemon?" I asked, my grin widening. She nodded eagerly.
I focused my mind and began to relay my plan to my friends, Cal and the captive Pokemon.
"Don't jerk. Continue with what you are doing and make no sign your listening to me. Now pay attention, I've got a plan to get us
out of here and I need everyone's cooperation. Jump in if you've got something that may improve the plan, telepathically. OK
now.............Cal...............Keys..................Bolt............Now everyone got it?"
People and Pokemon gave some indiscernible sign they'd acknowledged the final plan.
"Break communication," I said to Rose, who was looking a little weary. "You did well. When this is over, I'll make sure you get the
credit."
I sighed. "Step One, diversion. Hey! Angel!"
He looked up from supervising the Pokemon and walked towards me, a swagger in his steps. "Yes Topaz?" He said in his soft,
musical voice.
"These guys have had at least one meal more than me, so how about another slice of bread, eh?"
The others immediately began to complain loudly, just as I had told them to. The Rockets turned to watch the commotion. Ricky,
Renee and Tobias started to chuckle like Shuckles, Kathy and Pug stood together only observing.
"Topaz! That's quite unlike you," Angel said, basking in delight as I sucked up to him.
"Please," I implored, playing him like the arrogant fool he was. "Look, here I am kissing your ass, at least give me something to
get rid of the taste!"
He smiled slyly to his team members and than replied, exaggerated. "Of course Topaz. Anything to make your stay more
comfortable."
Angel shot a glance at Kathy and she returned with a slice of bread, handing it to him. Angel smirked again and placed the bread
on the stone floor, just out of my reach. This was too easy.
I made a show of straining to get the bread, making animalistic sounds, and smearing honey all over my face. I made my eyes
wide with the thought of food, all Rockets roaring with laughter. I should have earned some kind of acting award it was so good.
None of them were paying to the Mareep waddling behind them. Bolt stopped directly behind Angel loving every moment as I
degraded myself further.
"Mreeeeeep!" Team Rocket was so surprised they ignored me and twisted to see the Pokemon sitting in the middle of the floor as
innocent as Seraph, a crystal messenger bird used by skilled trainers.
"FLASH!" I screamed and screwed my eyes shut, hoping the others did too. Someone could have been shining a powerful
spotlight in my eyes, detonated a nuclear warhead or made the sun explode because Bolt's flash felt like that all rolled to one. I felt
the darkness settle again and when I opened my eyes,
Rockets were stumbling around blindly and Cal and the other Pokemon were already in action.
Cal ran to where Tobias leaned against a wall and punched him in the jaw. He slammed against the wall and slid to the bottom,
out for the count. Cal snatched the keys from his belt and soon knelt before Ryan to unlock his chains. After freeing him, he
tossed him the keys and joined the scrum between the Rockets and our Pokemon.
Smeargle dabbed Renee's face with an acid substance from his paintbrush. Cactokori clutched Ricky's leg, driving his needles in
with a vengeance. Cal's Marill shot a blast of water at Pug, who had been standing near the edge of the water. I say had because
after a moment of windmilling his arms to regain his balance, gravity won out and he fell in with a huge splash. Meanwhile Fireline
and Poliwhirl set to work releasing our Pokemon from their Pokeballs. After a moment's hesitation, they too joined the fight. Ryan
was in a frenzy trying to unlock the chains. As each was freed they grabbed their Pokeballs and packs, and leapt into the water to
swim to the other side. As Ryan came to kneel beside me, he whispered with a smile, "Genius this was!"
"You guys helped as much with your ideas, this is all our plan." I heard the click of the lock as it opened and he tried Sumalee's. I
tried to stand but my legs felt like rubber and refused to obey.
"Damn it!" I swore to myself. There was one variable I'd forgotten in my brilliant equation, me. My inability to move could cost me
my freedom. I decided to rest and try again in a few minutes.
I saw Cal had Ricky, who was considerably larger, in a complicated arm lock with Renee pounding on his back squealing, "Let him
go! Let him go!"
Sumalee was let loose and saw Cal's distress. She ran and took Renee out with a simple crack to the temple. Her Butterfree soon
had Ricky paralysed and the two were taken captive. I surveyed the area and it seemed the other four had fled and we were safe. I
cursed again and got to my feet using the stalagmite for support.
It seemed I spoke too soon about being safe as I felt Angel's slender hand on my shoulder and a cold, steel knife across my
throat.
"Everybody stop," he said calmly and clearly. The Pokemon and their trainers obeyed. Fury growled from the corner she had taken
refuge and tended her wounds.
I, Topaz, who had survived rival jealousy, suicidal falls, raging bushfires, suffocating darkness, hungry Zubat's and Sky's corny
jokes, shook, ready to pee my pants, as the knife pressed lightly against my exposed throat.
"All Pokemon follow me. Any refuse to comply and Topaz here will be extremely sorry."
I snapped. I reacted with such speed it must have been instinct. I drove my elbow in his stomach, as quick as thought I brought
my fist into his groin and then flicked my arm upwards and into his face. Angel dropped the knife and curled into the foetal position
cupping his hands between his legs.
I laughed. It felt good to deprive the arrogant fool deprived of his manhood. I kicked the knife weakly away and stumbled a short
distance to where Fury lay and comforted her. I turned just in time to see a cloud of smoke sweep through the air, obscuring all
movement.
"Pidgey, Whirlwind," I heard a trainer call from across the water. The cloud was whisked away, Angel with it.
I guess I should have been angry he'd run, but to be honest, I was relieved. There's was know way I'd have been able to get him to
shut up until we handed him over to Officer Jenny.
Cal was the hero, he lead the way with Ricky and Renee in tow and a Lapras in his Pokeball. She was too young to fend for
herself and Call offered to train it. No one was sure what happened to her mother, but Lapras was happy to leave the eternal
darkness.
I, on the other hand, was on the edge and the whole group was threatening to push me off. I spent most my time hanging between
Adam and Sky, being jolted every five seconds. Adam spent most of the time arguing with Ashlee, while Sky was always trying to
crack on to her. Locklen, the boy who owned Cactokori, which evolved into Cactori in the battle along with a few others, was
picking fights with every one. I was so close to ripping his spiteful little tongue out, except Adam and Sky held me tight. The only
one he respected was Sumalee, after she told him about her brown belt and hectored him about using the same technique I did on
Angel.
Fury was as happy as a Cloyster. After a Superpotion she was on her paws again yapping with Maverick and burning everything
that looked remotely like a Zubat. Can't say I blamed her, I was pretty jumpy, even though it was the last thing I could do.
We emerged into the sunlight two days later, me clutching the last threads of my sanity. My legs her healing fast but were still
dead weights. Fortunately once in the open I could balance on Chilun. I made a note to myself to try getting some riding lessons
so we could travel faster in the future.
The group dispersed in different directions, most towards Azalea and its gym, some into the long grass trying to flush out
Pokemon, Locklen was crazy enough to go back into Union Cave claiming to catch the other Rockets and get a huge reward.
I didn't like it. It was like having a younger Tobias, selfish, egotistic and primitive. If there's two things I can't stand in life is
arrogance and ignorance, yet everywhere one looked...
Unfortunately, we were put in charge of Ricky and Renee. I demanded we gagged Renee, but she still made squealing noises
through the material. Ricky was easy; we kept filling his already oversized head with more complements. I guess Renee thought
we were trying to steal him off her.
Yeah, right.
As we walked through the twilight towards Azalea Town I said to Sumalee, looking like a Sunflora with her grin, "Alright little Miss
Sunshine, if your such an optimist, what's the silver lining to this little day at the beach? My legs are stuffed, we're dragging along
two convicts and if we don't want Tweedledee and Tweedledumber to escape, we'll have to take watches during the night."
"We triumphed and came out stronger, in mind, body and spirit!"
I choked! "Speak for yourself!"
