A/N:I will not be repeating the disclaimer I see no need since it obviously pertains to the whole fic. Just to be safe though I DO NOT OWN POKEMON. Also if anyone could tell me what symbols work good to separate scenes I would appreciate it. I've tried , and a combination of ! But nothing shows up on I just don't get it . Anyways on with the story.
Aftermath
"GYOOOOOOOORRRRRR!"
"Pikachu, LETS GET OUT OF HERE!" Yelled Ash as they ran down a steep slope of the mountain they were training on.
("I told you attacking that Onix was a bad idea, but NOOO you HAD to 'test your new training skills'" ) Said Pikachu as he ran beside his trainer.
("Run now talk later") Panted Croconaw whose water gun had been the thing to set off the large Onix's temper in the first place.
The trio continued running down the slope until the Onix decided to use a Screech attack which caused Ash and his pokemon to scream in pain and also caused Ash to misstep and go tumbling down the slope several feet before coming to a stop.
("Ash!") Yelled both pokemon.
Thinking quickly Ash grabbed a pokeball and released his Sceptile who had recently evolved from Grovyle.
"Sceptile Solarbeam!" Yelled Ash.
The jungle pokemon planted his feet firmly in the ground and arched his back toward the charging Onix. The bulbs on the pokemon's back began to glow a bright white and suddenly a large white beam was shot straight at Onix. The beam slammed into it and caused it to fall backwards giving Ash time to get up and recall Sceptile. He then continued running with Pikachu and Croconaw. The Onix however was not done and was soon chasing them once again.
("Ash you better think of something quick I don't think It's going to stop chasing us unless we knock it out.") Said Pikachu
"Your probably right better try and battle it." Said Ash uneasily. The Onix was not like a normal Onix it was HUGE. At least twice as big as Brock's Onix and it had a long horn coming out of his snout. "Croconaw hit it with Hydro Pump!"
The big jaw pokemon launched its most powerful water attack which did manage to cause the Onix some pain but It was far from over.
("Ash use Noctowl to put it to sleep!" Said Pikachu.
"Hey good idea" Agreed Ash as he threw Noctowl's pokeball "Hypnosis Noctowl!"
Noctowl flew before the Onix and it's eyes glowed purple and it began to coo in rhythm and slowly the Onix started to fall asleep.
("Ash that thing is strong if you recall Noctowl it will wake up and chase us again you better catch it.") Said Pikachu
"Yea you're right." Said Ash. He took a black and gold ball from his pocket and enlarged it. "Ultra Ball Go!"
The Ultra ball sailed through the air and struck the Onix on it's head. There was a red flash of energy and the Onix was transferred into the ball. It shook on the ground violently at first and it look like the ball wouldn't hold the massive serpent, but finally there was a resounding chime signaling a successful capture.
Ash went over and picked up the pokeball and stared at it for a second before reality hit him. "I caught an Onix!" He cheered as he did his victory pose while holding up the pokeball.
("And we almost died!") Said Croconaw
"Well if you want a make an omle-" Started Ash until he was silenced by a Thunder Shock
("Bastard!") Said Pikachu ("That is not funny. You can't keep making us do all the crazy training exercises. We have rights to you know!")
"I was just joking Pikachu," Said Ash disappointed that his celebration was cut short "Besides you wanted to come so you could test out your skills against some rock types in case I needed you for my rematch at Mosdeep Gym."
Ash had gone to Mosdeep shortly after he parted ways with May and Brock. Unfortunately the Gym Leaders used Psychic/Rock Pokemon and his whole team was decimated. After that he went back to the main Island of Hoenn and decided to train his pokemon harder then he had in the past. It seemed it was paying off as well. Pikachu had risen several levels in the past year and many of his pokemon had evolved. Cyndaquil was now a Quilava, Bayleef evolved into Maganium, and Totodile was now Croconaw.
Ash also had some luck in the capturing department. He now had a Shuppet, a Qwillfish, an Aron, and last but not least a Bagon. Now he was on his way back toward Mosdeep when he decided to take a shortcut through the mountains to reach a town with a dock so he could head toward the Gym. That's when he saw a slight bulge in the ground and thoughtit was a sleeping Geodude. Needless to say he had been wrong and landed himself and his pokemon in the situation they were in now
("You know Ash we really should get off this mountain it is getting kinda late.") Said Pikachu.
"Yea you're right." Agreed Ash "According to the Poke'Nav there's a Pokemon Center a files away from the coast, and from there it's only a short walk to Crescent Harbor."
So they left the mountain and headed toward their next destination.
In our top story tonight the members of the legendary Elite Four of the Kanto and Johto regions have been killed. At around 9:00 a.m. this morning the members where all in the office of Grand Master Lance Dracone when an explosion destroyed the office and killed all the occupants of the office including Master Dracone himself. It has also been confirmed that 30 additional casualties occurred during the explosions as well as dozens of severely injured. Investigators say that the explosion was caused due to a projected rocket of some sort. Any information on the whereabouts of the perpetrator or perpetrators who committed this vile act is greatly appreciated.'
In a related story the Indigo League Pokemon Gyms situated throughout the Kanto region where attacked today by Team Rocket. This was a massive assault which targeted all eight of the Gyms. It has been confirmed that only two Gyms remain standing in Veridian and Fuschia Cities, however, these buildings still sustained major structural damage. The other six Gyms are completely in ruins and the Whereabouts of the Gym Leaders in unknown, but due to the state of the Gyms they are presumed dead.
It is unconfirmed but these two incidents may be related. We will keep you posted on any further developments. This is Joel Speedmon: Kanto Network News signing off.
Ash couldn't believe what he heard upon entering the center. The whole Elite Four gone? All the Gyms he had battled in during his first year on his journey with Brock and Misty gone. And all the Gym Leaders presumed dead… He thought somberly This just can't be happening.
("You okay?") Asked Pikachu.
"No, No I'm not. I can't believe this is happening. I shoulda been there to help Misty and Brock. I should have been able to do something!"
("It's not your fault it's all Team Rocket!") Said Pikachu unwilling to let Ash blame himself for something he had no control over.
"I knew they had to be up to something. Jessie and James haven't bothered us in a long time." Said Ash "I just thought they had given up, but this. This is just terrible. I didn't think they were capable of something like that."
("You forget that there are other Team Rocket members besides Jessie and James.") Said Pikachu. ("Remember Cassidy, Butch, all the men on the S.S. Anne and that guy who tried to capture Mewtwo.")
"Yea your right." Muttered Ash "I better call Mom haven't done it in a while."
Ash walked over to the phone and dialed his home number. The line began ringing and it seemed as if no one was going to pick up when finally someone answered the phone. However it wasn't Dellia.
"GARY!" Gasped Ash. What the hell is he doing at my house answering my phone! "What are you doing answering my phone? Where's my Mom?"
"Calm down Ashey-Boy" Said Gary "Mrs. K's fine and I'm here with Gramps. I take it by the expression on your face you heard what's going on up here?"
"Yeah" Ash muttered "Is it really as bad as the news says it is?"
"It's worse" Said Gary dryly "They hit the lab too Ash"
"No way!" Said Ash "Are the pokemon okay? Are the professor and Tracey safe?"
"Gramps is okay, just a little shaken up." Said Gary "Tracey got hurt in the attack but he should be okay, but the pokemon…"
"What about them Gary?" Asked Ash worriedly "What happened to the Pokemon?'
"…The ones that they didn't steal got severely hurt or killed." Said Gary sadly "I lost half my pokemon Ash the ones at low levels and the babies of the others they're all stolen or killed. Thankfully the rest of mine managed to fight off most of the Rockets, but they still got away. The lab is totally destroyed and the majority of the habitat out back is ruined."
Ash was furious. It was one thing to steal pokemon but killing innocent pokemon barely out of the egg simply because they were weak was just sick. "I'm coming home" He said simply "The next Ferry bound for Kanto and I'll be in Pallet."
"Ash Ketchum you will do no such thing!" Said Dellia suddenly pushing Gary out of the way.
"What are you talking about mom you guys obviously need my help!" Yelled Ash
"You are not getting involved in this mess." Said Dellia sternly "Team Rocket already knows you and coming back here would put you in their sights. You're going to stay in Hoenn where it's safe!"
"NO!" Yelled Ash "I have to come back to find Misty and Brock!"
Dellia softened "I know how you feel Ash but there's nothing you can do. Besides all overseas transport has been suspended since the bombing on Indigo, and with the mess down in Cinnibar and all the other Gyms I don't know how long It'll be before you can get back."
"I'll find a way." Said Ash
"Ash no pleas just stay where you are and go to the Hoenn League championships like you wanted." Pleaded Dellia
"I can't make any promises mom." He said "I know you just want to protect me but I'm not a little kid anymore I'm 16. I'll keep traveling like I've been, but as soon as I find a way back to Kanto I'm coming home."
"Ash please no." said Dellia desperately
"Sorry mom but I have to." Said Ash "I love you and I'll be seeing you as soon as I can. See ya mom."
"Love you too Ash" She said sadly.
Ash ended the conversation and took his pokemon to the counter and checked in for the night. He was about to got to his room when a news bulletin caught his attention.
"We are live outside Veridian City Gym. I'm Rick Parson here with the Viridian Gym Leader Giovoni Rokai. Said the Reporter "Mr. Rokai what can you tell us about the attack which happened earlier today?"
"I was in the middle of a battle when suddenly several members of Team Rocket came through one of the walls of the Gym." Said Giovoni "They told me that I should surrender or they'd destroy the pokemon in the Gym. I found this highly amusing since all my pokemon are far superior to those of Team Rocket. Myself and the trainers in the Gym under my tutelage managed to fend them off with our pokemon."
"If you were able to handle Team Rocket. Why do you think that the other Gym Leaders had so many problems?" Asked the Reporter
"After the destruction of my Gym by Team rocket four years ago I decided to update my security." Said Giovoni "I'd been telling the other Gym Leaders to do the same but only Kason of Fuschia took my suggestion. It is a shame that the other Gym Leaders had to learn the hard way about what a cruel world we live in today."
"What are your thoughts about the demise of the Elite Four?" Asked Rick "It was common knowledge that you had an ongoing feud with Lance Dracone."
"The Feud between Lance and myself was strictly professional." Said Giovoni "I had no personal grudges against him or any other member of the Elite Four. Loosing those great trainers is a major tragedy for not only Kanto but also the world."
Thank you for your time Mr. Rokai. This is Rick Parson Kanto National News signing off.
Ash wanted to vomit. How could that bastard sit there and act so calm and collected. He had undoubtedly been the mastermind of all the events. He stood there and played the part of the grieving colleague. He acted like he cared that the Elite Four and Lance were dead when he was behind their deaths. He had the nerve to criticize the other Gym Leaders for lack of security and basically said their pokemon where too weak to take out team rocket while he and some Gym Leader Ash had never heard of supposedly had better pokemon. All this served to fortify Ash's anger and give him a definite resolve.
He walked into his room and closed the door and turned to Pikachu who was sitting on the bed. "Pikachu when we get back to Kanto I'm going to kill that bastard." He said calmly.
Pikachu remained silent he had never seen that look in his trainers eyes before and he didn't know exactly what the look meant. What he did know however was that Ash was not joking in the least and whatever that look was it wasn't good.
