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Chapter 4
Red, Gold, and Yellow
Brock leaned back in his chair and smiled as the Officer Jenny from Goldenrod gently massaged the tension out of his stiff shoulders. In front of him stood six more Jennys and 7 Joys, each holding a different fruit, and all in scantly clad bathing suits waiting for their turn to be near him. He sighed in contentment. Heaven couldn't get any better than this. "This is the life. " Suddenly, one of the Nurse Joys dropped her fruit and ran over to the Pewter Gym Leader's side. This action of course caused the Jenny masseuse to pause her motions.
"Mr. Slate!" Her voice was panicky and desperate as she grabbed him by the shoulders causing him to sit up straight. "Mr. Slate!"
A grin only seen on a mentally handicapped person spread across his face. "Don't worry Nurse Joy. There's plenty of Brock to go around."
Nurse Joy's expression changed from panicked to concerned. "Mr.Slate..." She then mumbled something not quite comprehensible, something about Chansey, friends, and Pikachu.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a gentle hug. As he gazed into her eyes, he saw a yearning desire burning deep inside for him. "Nurse Joy..." Their heads drew closer together as Brock closed his... er, eyes... and leaned in for the inevitable kiss.
A loud cracking sound echoed in the breeder's head as a powerful force connected with his face. This caused his head to snap back and collide with something else even harder, but immobile. "OW!" Long story short, The clipboard hurt, but the chair hurt more.
"Chan-sey!"
"HUH?" Brock opened his eyes only to see the underside of a swivel chair that was bolted to the floor. No more girls, just a chair. He groaned in pain and grabbed his head with his right hand. "Why am I under the chair?" He crawled out from under the rotating seat to witness one of his many crushes waking up Max and May. "What's going on?"
Nurse Joy's elegant voice filled his ears once again, "Mr. Slate! Thank goodness you're awake" She gently shook the side of the young coordinator who was trying her hardest to remain asleep. "Young lady. You need to wake up!"
May yawned and slowly sat up rubbing her sleepy eyes. "What's going on?" It took her a few moments to recognize the person before her. "... Nurse Joy?" Glancing towards Brock she then noticed the large pink Pokémon, who at the moment was holding a damaged clipboard. "Chansey?"
The pink nurse bounced happily in place in response, "Chan-sey Chansey!"
Max, mumbled something incoherent and rolled over on the chair. This action, unfortunately, squished the little orange and red Torchic practically flat. Of course the tiny fire-type wasn't too thrilled. After a split second of rational thinking (yeah right), the starter Pokémon remedied the situation with a muffled squeal and a painful peck attack. The young wiz-kid yelped in surprise and almost tumbled onto the tile floor, had Nurse Joy not been there to catch him. "Tor-chic! Tor-chic-chic-chic!"
Max glanced up at the woman who saved him from a nasty fall, completely confused. "Nurse Joy?" He was the first to notice the tears in her eyes. "What's the matter?"
For a moment, Nurse Joy hesitated. She shifted her gaze to the two trainers who now were completely awake. Confirming that the boy was now standing on his own two feet, the Pokémon doctor took a step back and tried to compose herself. "... I'm sorry for waking you, but this is very important." She took a deep breath and focused before speaking again. "It's about your friend and his Pikachu ..."
He had to run faster.
The rain pounded hard against his already waterlogged frame, soaking him to the bone, but he'd been through worse. He knew what he had to do. He had to get to Ash. He couldn't believe that his best friend would leave without at least telling him about it! And in this weather! What an idiot! But that wasn't the point. Ash is probably in danger and needed his help. Not that he couldn't handle being alone. He'd take anything head-on, from Aggron to Zapdos, 'cause it didn't really matter. Never did. Not even Mew would be able to stop him. That's just how determined he was.
Well, ok maybe he was exaggerating just a 'little' bit.
For a while he ran aimlessly. There was no solid way of tracking the trainer due to the storm that raged around him. No footprints, no scratched tree-trunks, no scent, no arrow-sign that read "Ash went this way", not even the bright glow of a jeep from Team Rocket... oh wait, there is one. Go figure.
He heard sounds of a battle ahead and smiled as his speed doubled.
"Team Rocket!" Ash was really freaking out now. First, that splitting headache, then that freaky mirror thingy about Team Rocket, Altomare, and Bianca, then finding Bianca beaten and bloody in the woods, and finally Team Rocket actually showing up out of nowhere and wanting Bianca! What's the world coming to?
'Destiny...'
Ash shook his head, trying to collect his thoughts, slinging water everywhere. Where that idea came from, he had no clue. He once again turned his attention to the villains before him with a clenched jaw, "What do you want?" his question came out more like a feral growl than normal human speech.
"The girl." Cassidy stated bluntly. "And that's all you need to know. Now hand her over." While she spoke, Ash counted the number of grunts, trying to assess the situation.
2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9... 10. Three usable Pokémon against ten people, who probably have 2 or 3 Pokémon each... And my hands are kinda full. Gotta stall'em as long as I can, till I can figure out how to get away...
"What'd she do ta you?" The brown-eyed boy glared at his opponents, "And what did you do ta her?" Butch was silent through the banter between the kid and his partner, while just staring at the girl who was slowly shifting in Ash's arms.
Was Cassidy telling the truth? I can't believe it! Her injuries are the same! At least what I can see... But how? Where did she get the clothes? What's goin' on here?
"That is none of your business kid. You don't have any idea what you're up against." Without breaking the heated stare between herself and the girl's protector, Cassidy spoke in a strong voice. "Fan out and surround him. Make sure he's got nowhere to run."
Those voices...
The grunts, though completely confused, followed Cassidy's orders without question. They quickly spread out and formed a large circle around the tree and its occupants. Butch then gave the second order. "5 alpha, ready!" TR members Daniel, Brett, and Dirk pulled out what appeared to be handheld spotlights. That was strange. Why do they need flashlights when the jeep's headlights were already blinding everyone?
I've heard them before...
"Fire."
By the time the sounds of gunfire reached his ears, the young trainer stumbled back as three sharp objects imbedded themselves into Ash's chest, causing a gasp of pain.
Cassidy sneered at the boy. "Execute."
I can't move...
Ash shrieked as 10,000 volts of electricity surged into the wounds upon his chest. As quickly as possible, he grabbed the metal wires with one hand and yanked.
No... not again...
The grunts definitely weren't expecting a reaction like that. His scream wasn't surprising, but they had no clue that he would yank their weapons out of their hands in a single pull. The three TR grunts quickly found themselves imbedded in the wet ground as the young boy pulled the projectiles out, one at a time. "How'd he do that?" Butch had to admit; the kid was impressive.
Cassidy, on the other hand, wasn't so thrilled. "Don't think that you have any chance of getting away! We'll just have to take you down the old fashioned way. Through a Pokémon battle." She snapped her fingers and two of the other Rockets pulled out black pokéballs with a large red R on the top.
Ash tensed his aching body and reached for his own Pokémon arsenal, despite the bundle in his tired arms. "You asked for it."
"GO!" The two Rockets each threw out a pokéball as Ash grinned. This might not be a fair battle, but that's how he and his Pokémon liked it.
Something's holding me...
"Grovile GO!"
Let me go...
In a flash of light, three Pokémon were released and now stood ready for battle. Cassidy smirked at his choice, "You don't stand a chance kid."
Help me...
"That's what you think!"
Let me go...
"Attack!" The battle was on.
Somebody help me...
Nurse Joy turned her head towards the Pokémon Center entrance as it opened with a jingle. There in the doorway was Brock and May, who slowly trudged into the lobby completely drenched. "I take it that you didn't find your friend." The two trainers collapsed on a set of chairs and shook their heads in frustration, flinging water in every direction. "I see." She lowered her head as she spoke. "I'm sorry I didn't keep him from leaving. And his Pikachu... I'm sorry."
Brock shook his head and raised his right hand in a halting motion (Much to the annoyance of May, who got more water flung into her face), "Don't worry about it Nurse Joy. It's not like Ash hasn't gone out in weather like this before. I'm sure he's fine."
"But he wasn't feeling well when he left. I still feel bad about just letting him go." Nurse Joy closed her eyes and bowed her head in shame.
"Don't blame yourself Nurse Joy." The young woman suddenly found two cold wet hands firmly grasping her warm dry ones. "To see you so sad breaks my heart and tears at my soul." She looked at the breeder in shock. "Tears don't belong on a face as beautiful as yours! Please let me ease your pain by kissing your tears away!"
How did he get over here so fast?
"Kiss this." All eyes went to Max as he grabbed Brock's ear, yanking him down to his level, receiving a yelp in response. "But what about Pikachu? What's gonna happen to Ash when he gets back and finds out about Pikachu?"
"I don't know..."
"Ow ow ow ow! Not the ear!"
"Nurse Joy?" The pink-haired Pokémon nurse turned her attention to the waterlogged coordinator who had yet to speak since waking up. "Was Ash... mad when he left?" Her eyes focused intently on her shoes as she sat unmoving, her hands in her lap. Several tiny droplets cascaded off her golden brown hair, falling unnoticed to the ground, similar to the tears in her eyes.
Nurse Joy was perplexed at the girl's question. "No. He didn't seem upset until I gave him his Pokémon. That's when he collapsed. Why do you ask?" She walked over to the trainer who was silently crying, and knelt down so their faces were level. "Did something happen between you two?"
May was quiet for a moment, and slowly lifted her tearstained face to look at the person before her. "We... had a fight. Earlier today. I told him to leave and never come back." She let her head drop, no longer able to look anyone in the eyes. "But I didn't think he would actually leave. He was just trying to help me."
Nurse Joy gently hugged the weeping girl while rubbing her hand on her back comfortingly. "Shh, it's alright. Your friend wasn't angry at all. I'm sure that he was only going for a walk."
Brock and Max watched as May cried into the young lady's chest. "I wish she was doing that to me."
Max rolled his eyes. "You would."
Giovanni sat in quiet contemplation as the helicopter continued to fly towards the Kanto Region. He read one of many files that sat on his lap, while running a hand through his slightly disheveled hair. "Basho."
"It's Bashou, sir."
He growled at his subordinate, though his eyes never left the papers in front of him. "Whatever." Despite his anger from the recently failed mission, he was quite pleased with the progress that was made in such a short amount of time. All of his plans were falling into place quite nicely, despite the fact that the Soul Dew was lost. "How long until the guardians reach Viridian City?"
"Two hours sir. We'll send the captured Pokémon straight to the labs for preparation."
For a moment, all that could be heard was the sound of muffled propeller blades and turning pages.
"Good. When we land, see to it that the Pokémon reach the labs without trouble." He closed the folder labeled 'SPM#2SD' and sat it gently in his lap. "I will personally see to the restoration of the DMA."
The large grass Pokémon turned his head and smirked as his two opponents took fighting stances around him. One in front, the other from behind. This is gonna be tough.
"Okay Grovile! Get ready!" His partner nodded as Ash fingered a second pokéball, waiting for the right opportunity to let it fly.
"Use Mach Punch!"
"Dodge it Grovile!" The boxing Pokémon suddenly attacked with an incredible display of speed. With a quick thrust from its right fist, it aimed directly for the head of its green opponent. The dexterous Pokémon narrowly escaped his opponent's punch jumping onto a low branch, only to be struck in the gut by a massive Sludge Bomb from Ariados. Grovile hit the ground hard, sending water and mud everywhere. "Grovile! Are you ok?"
Yellow eyes met brown as Grovile slowly stood, the rain washing the sludge off his torso. "Gro-Vile!" He gave his trainer a nod and a smirk.
Cassidy smirked. "Give it up. You can't beat us."
"That's what you think!" Outwardly, Ash was as confident as ever. But inside he was scared. Questions were filling his mind at a rapid pace. Why didn't all the Rockets throw out a Pokémon? Why only two? What do they want with Bianca? Something was definitely off here, and Ash could feel it. But what?
"Hitmonchan! Ice Punch!"
"Ariados Nightshade!"
The enemy in front reared back its fist, which began to glow, and dashed forward just as the giant spider prepared to unleash a dark beam of energy. Ash's eyes widened. Without hesitating, he threw the next pokéball, releasing Corphish into the fray. "Corphish! Use Bubblebeam on the fist and Crabhammer Ariados! Grovile! Jump and Pound!"
Hitmonchan swung just as Grovile flipped over him and Corphish attacked, soaking his ice powered glove and freezing it solid. With the surprise of the attack and the slight weight added to his fist, the fighting Pokémon had no time to pull his punch and slammed it directly between Ariados' eyes at full force (Also giving Hitmonchan a nasty zap from a point-blank Nightshade attack). The blow caused the Bug/Poison type to fly backwards, directly into Corphish's Crabhammer attack. Hitmonchan shook its head in an attempt to rid itself of the dizziness, only to feel a powerful blow on his back from Grovile's pound attack, sending him flying into the already airborne Ariados. Both Pokémon hit the ground unconscious.
"What the hell!" David couldn't believe it. His prized fighting Pokémon, taken out so easily! Angrily, he returned his partially frozen fighter.
"No way!" Jake's mouth was agape in amazement. He never saw a battle quite like that and probably never would again. Despite losing, he was very impressed with the trainer's strategy, and couldn't help but show it as he let the red light engulf his companion and placed the ball on his belt.
"Gailee! Ice beam the grass-type!" Grovile's eyes widened at a strange numbing sensation that spread from his back throughout his body. Two powerful icy blasts had struck him from behind, encasing the poor creature in a giant block of ice.
"Grovile!" Quickly, Ash recalled his frozen friend, completely unaware of the waking girl in his arms. "Corphish, Use your Bubblebeam!" The small crustacean's eyes narrowed as it opened its mighty pincers. With a battle cry of its name, the little red attitude problem released a powerful blast of water and bubbles towards the black and white opponent.
"Ice Beam again!" Water and ice met with so much force that the attacking pokémon were forced back a few feet.
"That's it Corphish! You can do it! Just give it everything you go-" A flicker of pale blue light caused him to jerk his head to the left. A large Flaffy, just released by Cassidy, fired a hefty blast of electricity that slammed into his unsuspecting Corphish, sending it skidding to a stop unconscious at his feet. "Whaaah! Corphish!" He fumbled with his pokéball for a moment before recalling the fainted crab Pokémon.
Cassidy laughed at the boy's antics. "I told you that your battle was pointless. All you did was injure your Pokémon and delay the inevitable. Now give us the girl before I lose my temper."
"Pointless? Inevitable? Didn't know that Team Rocket knew words that big." Okay, so that wasn't Ash's brightest remark of the day.
Butch snickered while Cassidy seethed, "Don't push me kid. Do as I say and we won't kill you."
"Kill me? Didn't you try to kill me a few minutes ago? Why do you want her anyway? What did she do to you?"
"You talk too much."
"Well, your friend Bob shouldn't talk at all. He sounds like a dying Horsea." Boy was he putting his foot in his mouth a lot today.
Butch's smirk vanished, "The name's BUTCH!"
"We don't have time for this. Butch, kill them both and get the bag. I'm sick of trying to take her alive."
"Bag?"
What are they talking about?
"What b-" His sentence was cut short when he felt the girl move in his arms. "Bianca?" His attention no longer on the Rockets, he looked down to find two golden brown eyes staring back up at him, unfocused and fearful. "... " He suddenly found himself unable to speak. She looked like Bianca, but something was different. Something that he couldn't quite put his finger on...
Aww crap!
The girl began struggling in his arms, so the young trainer gently sat her to her feet and pulled her behind him. "Stay behind me no matter what happens, okay?" He could feel her weight leaning on his back, her exhaustion still prevalent.
Butch threw a pokéball to the ground, releasing his own new Pokémon. "Forretress. Double-Edge those two."
The giant ball of metal (that somehow could defy gravity) came barreling full speed at the weary couple. Ash turned his back to the Pokémon, grabbed the girl around her waist, and pulled her close against him in an attempt to shield her from the deadly attack. He knew he wouldn't survive, but he didn't really care. As long as Latias was safe...
Suddenly, a flash of white slammed into Forretress so hard, the Bug/Steel type was stopped dead in its tracks and hit the ground KO'ed. Latias peered around Ash to see a small yellow Pokémon standing in front of them, its jagged tail aglow.
"PikaPi!"
"Pikachu!"
Author's Notes:
I hope you enjoyed it! I didn't get as far as I would've liked, but I'm fairly satisfied with this chapter. Please R&R! I love your reviews! They're what keep me going!
Thanks again!