Chapter 6:

After meeting Andy's parents, the duo left for Azalea Town.

"So Aaron, you want to be a Pokemon Master?"

"Yep. And you want to be a Gym Leader that specializes in Fire?"

"You bet."

"Why do you like Fire Types so much?"

"Because of their ability to live in intense places. When I was younger, I loved volcanoes. Because of this, I grew to love fire Pokemon because they are able to stand the intense heat that come with volcanoes."

"So what's the big deal about volcanoes?"

"Are you serious? The lava that comes from volcanoes forms new rocks. New rocks mean new land. New land means new places."

"Sounds interesting."

"Pika" (Yeah.)

"Hey Aaron. Why doesn't Static stay in its pokeball?"

"Pi" (Huh) Static tensed.

"Static doesn't like them. I promised him our first day out that I would never put him in one."

"Ok. I guess different trainers train in different ways."

"I guess so."

0000

After going through Union Cave and catching a Geodude while at it, Aaron and Andy find themselves just outside Azalea Town.

"The Slowpoke Well should be pretty close." Andy said.

"The Slowpoke Well?"

"Yeah. It is said that Slowpoke can be found there."

"Interesting. Let's check it out."

0000

"That guy looked suspicious." Aaron told Andy after they were refused entrance to the well.

"Tell me about it. He seemed to be hiding something."

"Oh well. Let's just go get my badge."

"Sounds good. We're here."

"Who is that guy?"

"May I help you?" the man said.

"Uh yeah. I'm here to battle the gym leader."

"Sorry. We're closed."

"WHAT! WHY!"

"Sorry. The Slowpoke are sacred to the town. And since they've been disappearing, the gym leader has other things to worry about."

"But…But…"

"I'm sorry. But until the Slowpoke return, the gym will be closed."

"But I need the badge." Aaron whined.

"Don't worry Aaron. There will be other times."

"I guess we could go visit Kurt."

"Who?"

"Kurt. He's a Pokeball maker."

"Oh yeah. I've heard of him. How do you know him?"

"He and my Dad know each other through work."

"Ok."

0000

"Kurt! It's me! Aaron!"

"Aaron? It's good to see you again. Unfortunately, you came at a pretty bad time."

"I heard. Do you think that the disappearing Slowpoke have anything to do with the well?"

"The Well?"

"Yeah. We went to go check out the Slowpoke Well and it was blocked off by a guy in black. By the way, I'm Andy."

"Really? I need to go check it out. You two are trainers now right?"

The two boys nodded.

"Very well. You two may help if you want."

"You bet we'll help." Aaron told him.

"Alright. I'll meet you two at the Slowpoke Well."

0000

"So this is what the inside of the Slowpoke Well looks like." Aaron said as they walked into the well.

"I wonder who that man at the front was."

"Oh well. At least Kurt got rid of him."

"Ha ha ha ha" disembodied voices came from the well.

"What was that?"

"Prepare for trouble,"

"And make it double!"

"To keep the world from desolation,"

"To bond all peoples in every nation,"

"To condemn the evils of truth and love,"

"To extend our reach to the sky above!"

"Pearl,"

"Heart,"

"Team Rocket, blasts off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender or prepare to fight."

"Mankey"

"Hey Andy. Did you get anything they said?"

"Kind of. The only thing that made much sense was "Team Rocket". I had heard of them."

"I've heard them referred to a few times, but I never quite understood it. All I know is that Dad told me that he never wants me to become a part of that group."

"They're an evil organization that uses and steals Pokemon." Andy explained.

"Oh. Well, if they're evil, then I hope they have other members because those two didn't seem scary to me."

"HEY! WE'RE RIGHT HERE" Heart said

"AND I WON'T BE IGNORED! GRIMER! GO!"

"Static! Use Thundershock!"

"PIIIIKKKKAAAACHHUUUUUU!"

BANG

"I really hope we won't be held responsible for that hole in the roof." Andy said as he watched Pearl and Heart disappear through the ceiling.

"Wow Static. That was quite a Thundershock."

"Pikachu" (Thank you)

0000

"ALRIGHT! THE GYM'S OPEN!"

"Jeez Aaron. I'm right here. No need to scream."

"Sorry Andy. It's just, to think that I'm the reason that the gym is reopened."

"Hey. I helped."

"Who got rid of Team Rocket?"

"Static."

Aaron facefaulted.

"But who told Static to get rid of them?"

"You."

"And who is Static's trainer?"

"You."

"Any questions?"

"No." Andy said rolling his eyes

"Oh. Andy? Can we not mention this to my dad? I'm not sure how he'd react if I told him that I've had a run in with Team Rocket."

"Why do you say that?"

"Every time that they're mentioned, he gets mad."

"I wonder if he has any connection with Team Rocket?"

"I'll ask him."

"I thought you just said…"

"I don't have to tell him I've met some members. Now c'mon. There's a badge in there with my name on it."

"Alright Aaron."

0000

After the 3-3 battle with Bugsy, Aaron received his Hivebadge.

"That was easy." Aaron said.

"Of course it was. Bugsy used a Metapod, Kakuna, and Scyther. All bugs. You used Quilava and Pidgy. A fire and a flying. Both of those are strong against bugs. Didn't you know that?"

"I don't pay any attention to types." Aaron told him. "I prefer to take my chances with levels."

"Makes since. But why did you use Pidgy? That's one of your weakest?"

"The only way for Pidgy to become strong, is for it to battle strong pokemon. And it evolved."

"Your strategies confuse me."

Instead of trying to explain, Aaron looked quite pleased with himself.

"So Andy, what pokemon are you going to catch with your Lure Ball?"

"I don't think I'll use it. Lure balls are used to capture water types."

"Can I have it?"

"Sure"

"Well, well. Look who made it all the way to Azalea."

"Hello Greg." Aaron said to the boy who just came up to them.

"And I see that you have a companion. Afraid to be alone like your father?"

"SHUT UP!"

"Oh well. I'm on my way to Goldenrod. I just might see you there, but I won't hold my breath."

With that, Greg walked away.

"Who was that?" Andy said before noticing Aaron's change in attitude.

"That. Was. Greg." Aaron said trying to stay strong.

"Are you alright? What was that about?"

Aaron took a deep breath. "I'm fine. He's always doing that. He believes that I'll get in his way to become a Pokemon Master. That's why he's always using my Mom against me."

"That's the first time I've ever heard you mention your mom."

"I don't like to talk about it. She left me and my dad when I was one."

"Why?"

"Dad was a workaholic. He was never home to help out with me. Mom got so fed up…"

"Don't say anymore. I can see how it's hurting you."

"Thanks. Maybe one day I'll open up a bit more. Until then, let's go to Goldenrod!"

"That's the Aaron I met in Violet City."

TBC