CHAPTER 4- Trapped

"About time you got here!" Damon says while laying in the grass.

"Sorry, we were away for a bit." I say as I become aware of my surroundings

Blaire was here a moment before I was. I Look up at the sky to many Pokemon flying by, this place is amazing. This game is a dream come true. I lower my hand to the ground to feel the blades of grass. It feels so real, better than reality. I am filled with happiness, so much I just want to run and never stop.

"Damon, I challenge you to a Pokemon battle!" I say as I hold out my Pokeball.

"I accept your challenge Ash. Don't think that just because you have a type advantage, that I'm an easy opponent." Damon says as he walks to the opening in the grass.

"This will be fun to watch." Blaire says on the sidelines.

We both get our Pokeballs ready. We lock eyes, knowing that we can't back down from a fight.

"Go Mudkip!" Damon yells as he throws the Pokeball.

Mudkip comes out looking determined.

"Evergreen! I choose you! I toss the ball in the air, my Treecko comes out in a shining glory.

He is as determined as Mudkip. I look over Evergreen's moveset. He has Pound, Quick Attack, Bullet Seed, and Pursuit.

"Evergreen, you ready?" I bend down to speak to Evergreen.

"Tree…" Evergreen says with a fighting stance.

"Alright, use Quick Attack." I direct my hand forward.

Evergreen moves swiftly towards Mudkip, and managed to get a good hit.

Mudkip didn't see it coming, and topples for a moment before getting back on its feet.

"Mudkip use Tackle!" Damon says as he points towards.

Mudkip starts to rush at Evergreen. A bit fast too.

"It's pretty fast for a Pokemon new to battles…" I think to myself.

" Evergreen, dodge it!" He tries to step out of the way but Mudkip turns to where he was going and got hit head on.

Evergreen was able to hold his ground. Pushing Mudkip back a bit to give some room.

"Close range? Great! Bullet Seed!" I say and Evergreen charges up and fires.

Since Mudkip is so close, it has no time to move. Bullet Seed hits directly. It's super effective!

Mudkip goes flying, almost back to where Damon is.

"Damn, not giving me time to think eh?" Damon says slightly irritated.

"You got it. I'm no pushover Damon." I smile with a determined grin.

"Mudkip use MudShot!" Damon tells Mudkip as it's getting up.

Mudkip shoots mud at Evergreen, but since he was sent a ways back from Bullet Seed, it takes a moment to get to Evergreen.

"Jump out! " I say while motioning my hands to the side. He somehow knows which side I was gearing towards. He dodges it, but the mud is still flying towards me.

"Shit!" I say as I flank out to the side at the last second. The mud flies past me and hits a tree.

"That was close." I say with relief.

" We...should probably stop." Damon says as he pulls out Mudkip's Pokeball.

I take out mine and notice a rustling sound in the tree which the MudShot hit. A bunch of Spearow fly out, mad.

"Shit, guys…." I say with a worried expression. I get Damon and Blaire's attention and I point to the tree.

The Spearow start flying at us.

"Evergreen return!" He returns to his Pokeball.

"Run!" I yell as I start sprinting towards Blaire and Damon.

We start running, but we are not fast enough. There had to be like 20 of them

"At least they can't hurt us, we are just in a game." Damon says while looking back.

I couldn't agree more, but we were wrong . A Spearow flies up to me and pecks my neck.

"Ow, how does that hurt?" I say as I place my hand where I was hit.

"Guys! I don't know how, but they can hurt us. Protect your necks!"

We all cover necks and continue running.

"This is awfully familiar!" I yell with a strain.

"You don't say!" Damon says panicked

Lucky for us, a big gust of wind came by and blew the Spearow a bit behind us.

"Down there! We can hide!" Damon says while pointing to a cave.

"Let's go!" Blaire says while running towards it. We follow, making it before the Spearow saw where we went.

The cave entrance was small, small enough to run into. I'm the last one to enter so I make sure we aren't being followed.

We stand frozen for a moment, completely silent.

"I think we lost them." I say as I slide down the cave wall. I remove my hand from my neck, and it startles Blaire.

"Y-your hand, Ash." Blaire says as if she saw a ghost.

I turn my hand over to reveal…

"B-blood…?" I'm shocked as I realize the Spearow pecked me harder than I thought.

"How?" Damon says and grabs my wrist and looks at my hand puzzled.

"I don't know. I'm gonna log off and see if I'm actually hurt." I say as I scroll through the menu. But something is wrong.

"Uh, Damon. Where is the logout option?" I ask as my heart drops 10 times over.

"It should be in General sett-...it's gone." Damon says.

"Are we stuck or something?" Blaire says nervously.

I'm starting to get scared. I have an injury that shouldn't exist, and I feel pain.

"This has to be a fucking joke. It's impossible to remove the logout option, right?" Damon is nervous too.

I look at my blood covered hand and bring it to my nose. It smells like it. I lower it to my mouth, it even tastes like blood.

"There is definitely something wrong here." I say as I clean my hand in a puddle.

"Hey. There is a message." Blaire points out.

I notice it, it is a request to teleport to the stadium. The only option is to 'Bring Party'.

"It may give us answers." Damon says intriguingly.

"I'm accepting the request." I say with my finger hovering over the option. Maybe we will get answers.

"Let's go." Blaire says with her fist clenched.

I select the request and we are teleported to the stadium. We arrive as many others do, all confused about what is going on. The screens all around us are blank, which was like that for a while. Eventually, a video started playing. It's Landon Palm.

"Hello players, nice that everyone came here for this moment. You may have realized that the log-out option has been removed. This is not a glitch, nor is it getting fixed, for now. I'm testing the power of you all. Some of you already may have unfortunately experienced an injury within this world, that is part of the test."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing." I think to myself.

"Anything can happen to anyone now. Theft, murder, rape, and wild Pokemon can attack you viciously. You may be wondering how you can leave. You must become someone very powerful. Battlers aren't the only option, Powerful can mean a variety of things, battling, willpower, strength, relentlessness, and so on. Meet the criteria and you can leave. But meet multiple and grab my interest, I might let everyone go. You think that if someone removes your headset, you'll be free. But the second any removal of the headset is detected, an electrical impulse will be blasted into your skull and you'll die, instantly. In real life, you won't die from starvation, you are all in somewhat coma state. You can also die in this game, and anything can kill you. I won't warn you anymore, it'd ruin my fun to see people die. There are 25 million players now, lets see how many are left in the end."

"I-is he…...j-joking." Damon says trembling.

"I don't think so… letting us feel pain and removing the logout option seems like an easy answer." I say also trembling.

I turn to Blaire to see her in tears. I can see the fear in her eyes, she knows it's true.

"Blaire?..." I say worried. "Are you o-."

Blaire collapses to the ground sobbing. I rush to comfort her.

"What the hell? Is... Is he for real? We can die?" Blaire is terrified.

I put my hands on her shoulders.

"I won't let you die, remember what I said this morning?" I say with a serious yet comforting tone.

"Thank you Ash….." She says as she jumps into my arms, gripping me tight.

"It'll be fine." I say as I pat Blaire's head.

After a moment, Blaire calms a bit and we stand up.

"We need to go. If everything he said is true, we have to get stronger." I say as I point to the Hoenn portal.

"What are we supposed to do?" Damon asks still frightened.

"My interpretation is that in order to get strong, we need to do what you'd usually do. Get gym badges, battle the Pokemon leagues, catch a lot of Pokemon." I say as I start walking towards the portal.

"This could be fun. Maybe…." Blaire says as she wipes away tears. I stop walking and turn around.

" We can't not enjoy the game just because of risks. Life is the same." Blaire starts to smile.

It's an attitude I can get behind.

"Exactly, plus you can't get strong with constant strain. It's bad for your mind. So let's also fight for fun." I say as I look to the sky.

"Well let's go. We need more Pokemon if we want to get stronger." Damon says as he walks in my direction.

Blaire runs to get to us and we start walking towards the portal. We may not leave for a while, we need to commit to this world. Our past lives don't matter here. I refuse to die in here. I will conquer any wall placed in front of me. I will make sure we get out of here safe. My father taught me how to be brave. He was always one to act with his heart before his head.

A few days pass. Camping has proved to be fun and we don't need to eat. But we do need to keep warm. The effect of the reality we now live in has slowly lingered away. As for news, we can check outside news from in the game. We should be safe, the problem has been discovered and no more people are dying from helmets being removed. 10'000 lives have been lost in 2 days across the globe, we know that Palm was serious now. It's February 27, we have been stuck for four days. We failed to catch Pokemon in those days, being very careful trying to not get hurt.

"As much as I'd like to say I'm having fun, this experience has been a pain in my ass." I say as I stretch my arms out next to the campfire.

"Same, I feel this world is more dangerous than if Pokemon were actually real." Damon says as he puts up his tent.

I never thought that catching a simple Rattata would be scary.

"How's your neck Ash?" Blaire asks while sitting by the fire, returning from a bath.

"It's great, heals a lot quicker than I thought it would." I say as I place my hand on my neck.

I never wanted to have something like that again.

"How you holding up Blaire?" I give my attention to Blaire who is warming by the fire.

"Good I guess, the whole effect of being trapped hasn't hit me yet." Blaire says as she dries her hair.

It's silent for a moment. Damon has finished sitting up our tents while I keep the fire going. All the sounds I hear are from the rustling trees and crackling fire.

"I'm going to take a little walk, and maybe get more firewood." I say as I stand up.

"Ok, but don't go too far" Damon says as he sits down by the fire.

"I won't, I'll stay close by." I say as I walk into an opening in the trees.

Before we set up camp, I saw a little cliff side view of a plain. I got to it and it was stunning. The moon was huge, and lit up the whole area. Stars were out and made the sky even more breathtaking. I look at the field to see many Ponyta and Rapidash running across the grass. The river down there was reflecting the moonlight back to me. It makes a man think, about everything. I wonder how my mom is doing. Is she with me now? How is she holding up and would I see her again? Damn it Palm, you bastard. He's holding so many people hostage and many died. I feel an uneasy feeling in my stomach. I met such an evil human being and I basically helped with his prison. I started to tear up, with anger and sadness. Anger of the rage he gives me, and sadness of my potential fate.

"Ash?" I hear Blaire's voice. She emerges from the tree line

"Oh." I sniffle. "Hey Blaire." I try to disguise my crying.

"Mind if I sit here?" Blaire asks as she points next to me.

"I don't mind." I say as I terribly hide my crying.

Blaire sits down, and leaned her head on my leg.

"Can I ...talk to you about, things? Blaire asks while looking at the moon.

"Yeah, that's fine." I respond while I sit down next to her. With her head on my shoulder.

"So about all of this..." Blaire says with hesitance.

"I don't know what to think. I hate how we are stuck and are in danger. But Pokemon is the best thing to happen to me, I can't help but be happy." I say truthfully.

"Me too. I hate this for the constant dangers, but my reason to love it is slightly different from yours." Blaire adjusts her head to look up at me.

"What's your reason?" I ask as I wipe away my tears.

"Because your here with me Ash…" Blaire says with a soft voice.

My eyes widen, I think I might cry again. I had enough emotional stress this week.

"Blaire, I have a confession to make." I say with hints of trembling in my voice.

Blaire sits up and I move an inch or two away.

"I like you, a lot." I say and clench my eyes shut.

"I know Ash." She says and seems concerned.

"I have strong feelings for you Blaire. I'm in love with you." I say as I start to cry.

I have humiliated myself in front of the love of my life. I could not be anymore broken than I am right now.

"Ash...I know." Blaire repeats herself. "I have known for a while. Every time I compliment you, your face blushes. You always seem nervous, and I find it cute. I guess having someone shy around girls turns me on.

"I-I need to be alone right now." I say as I start to stand up.

I can't think straight. I don't know what to say or do. All I can think is run away and hide.

"No you don't…" Blaire says seductively and pulls me back to the ground.

Blaire pushes me to lay on my back. She lays on her belly diagonal from me and starts to kiss me on my cheek.

"Why are you doing this?" I say as she starts to stroke my chest

"Because you need it." Blaire says as she moves her way to my lips.

I couldn't realize what she was trying to do. I get way too flustered in situations like these. All I can ever do is push away and deny it. But I don't want to hurt her. She places her lips on mine, I give in to the feeling. I still have tears running down the sides of my face. Her lips are warm and soft, I wasn't ready

"Why are you crying?" She says as she stops kissing. "I know what will make you feel better." Blaire says seductively as she slowly moves her hand from my chest, to my abdomen to my…

"What are you- ahh!" My body shivers as soon as Blaire makes contact with the bulge of my pants, I was already stiff from the kissing.

"B-laire…" I mutter out as the feeling starts to overwhelm me.

"Shh, it'll be fine" She whispers as she unbuttons my pants and slowly undos the zipper.

"I-I...ahh…" I couldn't say a thing. My body was frozen from the pleasure.

Blaire started to run her finger forward and back across my underwear and it felt amazing. My underwear couldn't contain all of me. My tip was exposed and I was too woozy to do anything. Blaire looks over to see I'm dripping already, she'll hate to see me. She pulls back my underwear to reveal all of me.

"Oh my God Ash...You're perfect." Blaire says with a wonderful tone. "Your size is amazing.

I get even more emotional. I was always conscious of my penis, I don't like compliments like this. She grabs my penis and starts stroking me. I regain control and move out of the way. I stand up and try to get away. But Blaire hugs me from behind and grabs me.

"You're not getting away that easy you stud." She says as she slowly strokes me from behind.

"Please... stop." I say with pure distress in my voice.

Blaire stops and looks at me. I am in pieces.

"Do you… not want this?" Blaire asks.

I slowly nod. I wanted it to stop.

"I'm so sorry Ash, I didn't mean to push it upon you." Blaire says with guilt and lets go of me.

"I thought that since you confessed love to me, I could take a chance." Blaire says sadly.

"I love you Blaire, but this is too much too quickly." I say as I pull up my pants.

"I'm sorry for forcing you to enjoy it." Blaire apologizes.

"I'm complicated, I dream of stuff like this and yet it happens and I wish for it to stop. I am too shy to do anything for myself in these situations. I am conscious of my penis size, even though I know it's above average. I don't like being complimented for things like this because I feel like I'm being judged. I can barely handle kissing." I say as I sit down on a rock.

Blaire is silent for a moment. She must've thought of what to say to reassure me.'

"It's ok to feel insecure Ash." She says in a sincere voice.

I turn in shock.

"I don't need sexual interaction to love you." Blaire says while putting her hand on her heart.

I froze again. But this time I didn't feel uncomfortable.

"Y-you love me?" I say with more tears running down my face.

Blaire walks over to me and sits next to me.

"I love you for who you are. You're caring, selfless,and have a heart in the right place. You sure live up to your name." Blaire grabs my hand and smiles.

These were the compliments that I like. Blaire always cheers up people, it's one of her defining traits.

"Blaire...can I kiss you?" I ask with a nervous smile.

"You may." Blaire leans in close and I do too.

Her lips are very comforting, Blaire is the one keeping me sane in this world. I want her to be with me forever. I have to keep her safe from everything and everyone that can harm her. I back off and we nuzzle are noses together. We both turn towards the view.

"The moon is beautiful here." Blaire points out.

"Not as beautiful as you." I say with a smile, my tears all gone.

All that stuff you said about me, I believe I got it from my dad." I saw as I look towards are hands.

"How did your father die?" Blaire asks with curiosity.

"He died from a lung disease. When I was 13, we went to San Francisco for vacation and there was a chemical terrorist attack on the bridge. We were a few hundred feet away from the gas and my dad felt obligated to help. He helped save a woman and her baby, who are still alive. They send us Christmas cards every year. As for him, he got a lung disease and died a month later." I say as I clenched my fist.

"I bet he was a wonderful person." Blaire says as she moves closer to me.

"I always strived to be like him. To become someone who you can look to and never be scared. He died a hero, to me and to the people he saved that day." I stand up and point to the stars.

Blaire stands up, and starts walking back towards camp.

"We should go back now, before Damon gets worried." Blaire says.

"Yeah we should." I say as I start walking back with her.

The moon was very bright. It was shining through the thick tree line.

"I hope we catch lots of Pokemon tomorrow. Maybe I'll find a cute one!" Blaire says as she holds her hands together.

"Me too! If I'm gonna get stronger, just a Treecko won't due." I say as I pull out an empty Pokeball.

We got back to camp to see that Damon about to go in his tent.

"You guys were gone for a while. Anything happen?" Damon asks with a concerned glare..

"Not really. We talked about the things that happened, and how beautiful the view was from where we were." I say with no hesitation.

"Great! I'm going to sleep now, see you in the morning." Damon says with an exhausted look and heads in his tent.

"Goodnight Blaire." I say while putting out the fire.

"Goodnight Ash." Blaire responds and goes to her tent.

I go to mine and lay down in my sleeping bag. We got a big day tomorrow, and I'll need sleep. I need to catch a Pokemon, anything will work at this point. Someone will have to free the rest of us, and I'll fill the role if needed.

END OF CHAPTER 4