The Brutal Battle Gets Worse by WyldClaw

Plot: I own everyone mentioned in this fic! If I'm dreaming somebody smack me with a novel! My dream would be complete if I could get dates with either Captain Hook or Robin Hood from once upon- {mia1986 smacks her with a hardcover breaking dawn book}. Owww. What was THAT for?

Mia1986: HA! You're dreaming! You don't own diddly squat asides from the OCs!

Hush! Did you have to hit me THAT hard?

Mia1986: you asked to be hit with a book you prat. If I didn't then you have rambled for ages

I didn't ask to be hit with that specific one. I didn't say smack me with a 'hardcover vampire romance involving a blood-sucking pale Forks vampire doing-

Mia1986: you stuuuupid idiot!

To quote bugs bunny "Ahhh shadddup". Let me get on with the story. Anyways: Italics are thoughts. () Is translated Pokémon speech while " "-humans talking. Enjoy. Please read and review. There's a line I took from 2010's Mastermind and one from the lion king. Thanks

Last revised for grammar: December 2022

XxX

An enormous black ball of energy appeared in the hybrid's mouth and it fired it at Aki. Oh Taros poo! I jumped a few feet. "Aki, D-Double Team - Agility. " I tried to keep my voice as calm as I could. She did just that and The Shadow Ball attack missed her by inches! " Great job. Now Headbutt!"

She tried to use the attack but it wasn't that effective since the Ariados/ Drapion mixture used Harden at that exact moment. She ricocheted off its hardened skin. (Owww) she cried in pain. (That's gonna leave a mark. )

"Night Shade!" 'Hunter J commanded. The attack caught aki off guard and threw her into a wall. She countered with a weak Thunderbolt. I could tell she was tiring out. J called for another volley of Shadow Ball attacks.

"Use your Light Screen to deflect them!"

(I'll... do... my best) she panted. She put her front paws in front of her and a clear glass box appeared around her. The attack bounced off but left little cracks in the glass.

"You foolish boy! You think your lame mouse will be safe in that box? Wrong! Ariapion Focus Blast!" A big ball of blue energy appeared in one of the Ariapion's claws. It thrust it at Aki it collided with the light screen. The Light Screen held but there were more cracks. It continued to send larger Shadow Balls and even hit the box with some Acid and Mud Bomb attack.

Soon even more cracks appeared. It used Focus Blast again. There was a bit of a struggle but the glass spalled apart and the large sphere of energy broke through. "AKIIII!" I yelled for the countless time as she flew across the room. She fell into a heap onto the floor. "Aki! Are you okay? C-can you go on?"

She got up and slowly nodded. (I' ... think so.)

"Snag it vwith you Electro Lariat!" J commanded the hybrid. '

Huh? "Electro Lariat? "

" What's that?" Dad and I looked at each other.

(What in the world is s-) Aki was cut off as the Ariapion sent out a massively powerful String Shot at her. I saw that it was unlike your typical String Shot as it glowed a bright yellow. That's the same yellow color as an Electro Ball or a no!

"Dodge that string shot! It's electrified!" I warned her.

She tried to dodge it but the attack just followed her. She tripped over a crater and looked up as it lunged right at her and ensnared her! She screamed as it wrapped around her so tight she couldn't move and shocked her badly. She couldn't squirm her way out- it was too tight. Before I could think of what to do, the hybrid lifted the small Pikachu off the ground and started swinging her in a circle well above our heads- shocking her harder as it did. The Faster and faster it swung her around until she was simply a yellow blur.

(Let me go... you. freak) she yelped but the ariapion just increased the voltage through the electric coils. J watched her struggle as if it were a game.

(We've got to do something.) Storm commented, shuddering.

"What can we do?" Dad replied. I understood their hopelessness. Aki was letting out painful cries but I couldn't do anything but watch and see her get injured.

I wished with all my heart that there were some way I could help. My eyes were getting dizzy. and I felt sick to my stomach watching. "Please let her go! She doesn't deserve this."

"Do you forfeit?" J's blue eyes gleamed. "It will make things so much easier for me and for you if you do. I'll let it go."'

(Don't do it Derek! you p-promised Papa …you'd save them. She's not going to let me go. Easily. That's a total bunch of bull-)

(Shut up you annoying vermin.) Ariapion interrupted her sentence as it squeezed her tighter with the electrified String Shot. She cried out in pain as it shocked her even harder than before. We were so close one could almost claim we had a psychic bond which we did not- I could almost feel her agony as a harsh smell of singed fur hit the air.

Poor Aki- I wish I could do something to help her.

"Do you forfeit?" Hunter J repeated.

I looked behind my shoulder at Dad and Storm. I wouldn't surrender to this inhumane beast. I'd rather be fed to a pack of Sharpedos than surrender to her. I made a promise and I'm not breaking it.

I stared directly at the villian. "not while I'm alive. I don't know what you have planned but I'm going to stop you."

She chuckled coldly. "I can easily arrange that, boy. Unwind it!" The creature gave aki one last spin in the air. As it did it unwound the String Shot coils around her. She flew through the air and slammed into the ground near me.

I rushed over to her. I saw horrible electrical whip marks all over her battered body. Her fur was burnt in some places. "Are you okay?"

(Think so.) She looked up at me a bit unsteadily and then fell on the floor. (How come there's... five of you?)

"That attack must have made you dizzy."

(Only a little.) She shook her head to regain her senses a little. (Now to get up and finish ... that abombminal-Owww) she tried to get up but collapsed.

"You're hurt badly and still woozy. But you put up a great fight. You did your best."

"She's lost lots of energy, " Dad remarked. "I don't know how much longer she can last." he was right- she was panting hard. She had been really brave to stand up to the Dark Dragonite, Hunter J plus use those electric attacks for the first time ever. But now it was taking a toll. What do we do now?

"That mouse is done for. Why don't you just give up and surrender? " Hunter J looked at me as I stood up.

"Over my dead body." I spat on the floor.

" I can arrange that, you stubborn pest." She retorted

"Here's a better idea: Why don't you and that thing go f- YIPES!"

A stream of thick acid flew over my head- I ducked quickly as I saw it come out of Ariapion's jaws. I looked over at Storm. I saw that familiar ear twitch- she had gone pale and her eyes were wide. She knew what was next. She mouthed the words (Thunder Fang.)

I returned my gaze to Aki. The small Pikachu tried get up but fell down-she was too weak. I saw the hybrid's fangs glow with a powerful yellow light as it rushed right at us. Aki gasped as the creature came right at us. (D-D-derek. h-help me) she squeaked in terror.

I looked at Ariapion closing in on us. I knew if I didn't do something we'd both be deader than a ghost Type. She was too wiped out to fight it again. I lowered my voice. "I'm going to distract it. You run over to Dad. Tell him to use a SuperPotion from the backpack on your wounds. You're too hurt to fight it again." She nodded-it was the only option.

Please let this work. I got up, walked a few feet and faced that creation. "Hey ugly! Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"

The hybrid turned around at the insult and looked at me- its fangs back to normal. (Like you?)

It headed towards me but I jumped out of the way. "Oops. I mean I'm more of a match for you. I mean why take out a Pikachu when a human is more suited to your skills "I said as I narrowly dodged the Shadow Balls, Pin Missiles and Night Shades it threw at me.

Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Aki wobbly sprint over to Dad and collapse on the floor. " Hey Ugly! Over here". I feinted to the right then left-not easy with all the holes in the floor. " No I'm over here." I zigzagged across the room and rammed into it right as it used Harden.

I winced as I smacked into it. I felt like I ran into a steel wall. "Owwww." It swiped me with the backside of its claws- ripping right through the side of my shirt. It stung but I ignored the pain. Then it kicked me a few feet away with one of its legs. "You're not that ...smart for... a hy-hybrid are you?"

6It glared at me. (Not smart? Not smart! Mistress made me very smart. What do you mean human brat?) It lunged at me again but I rolled out of the way quickly.

"Why are you toying with me? Aren't you tired from fighting Aki? Y-you must be. That E-electro L-Lariat move must have taken a lot out of you." I sidestepped out of aki and dad's way as the loathsome creature followed me. I noticed that despite its size it was very quick.

It reached for me with its claws. (I like to play with my prey before killing it.)

Think, Derek.It was much harder to evade it now- it matched my every move. "Wh-what prey? I bet all your food runs away from you. You're so ugly you make a Muk's backside seems lovable. You stand out too much-you're so repulsive that you make an Alolan Grimer seem clean."

I was sweating bullets as I fell into one of the craters the Dark Dragonite made. I scooted out of it as fast as I could but the hybrid followed me. (Stand still so I can kill you.) It hissed as it raised its fangs.

I moved out of the way as the fangs got stuck in the floor. "I'm only a kid. You wouldn't want my death on your claws. It would mess up your soul. Uh...You do have a soul somewhere in that heartless evil body?" I felt my heart pound in my chest as it roared angrily which echoed in the room as it freed its fangs from the floor.

I gulped. Crud. I'm so Toast. "I take that as a no.".

"Get that pesky boy Ariapion! BRING HIM TO ME ALIVE! I WANT TO SEE THE LIFE GO OUT OF HIS EYES FOR MYSELF! " J screeched at the top of her lungs causing Aki and Storm's sensitive ears to flinch. " USE ALL YOU'VE GOT!"

(DIE PESKY HUMAN!) It roared as it rushed toward me, firing a volley of Pin Missiles from its claws and tails.

"Oh Flip." I ducked as the first wave of the attack missed me by inches but the next wave made marks in my face and arms. I gritted my teeth at the pain and tried to escape the barrage of attacks the hybrid sent at me.

"What's your plan?" I heard dad's voice as I narrowly escaped a stream of black acid.

"I'm making it up as I go along. It mostly involves not dying," I said as I barely dodged a Night Shade attack.

"Good plan. I like that plan."

Aki gasped. (Derek watches out!)

"URRRK! " a huge Night Shade ball hit me in the gut and made me crash to the floor. Unfortunately i fell right where there were still some sharp icicles. "Yeeoooow!"

"Are you okay?" Dad sounded concerned. "That looked like it hurt."

I groaned as I painfully and slowly got up. The tumble took a toll- my jeans were ripped and my knees were bruised. I felt something wet on my cheek. I pressed two fingers to it then brought them back to my sight. They were red with blood. I wiped it on my jeans. The cuts didn't seem like anything serious. "I'm fine dad. I just took a bad fall." The important thing is not to be killed.

"Acid Bomb!" Hunter J yelled. I cringed as the Ariapion opened its maw and fired multiple hard purple balls at me. I shielded my face with my hat and turned my body but I felt some of the acidic bombs hit my jeans and melt the material.

"Oh come on!" I looked at the hat when the attack ended. The acid had eaten through the straps and made a lot of smoking holes in the fabric. "That was my favorite hat!"

I ran at the Ariapion but slipped and fell on my stomach. As I got up I felt an explosion of pain came from my legs as a huge blast of electricity from its fangs hit them. I shouted in agony as the Thunder Fang hit again. "YEEOOOWWWW!" I screamed again.

" DEREK!" Dad howled.

J cackled. "That's it! Paralyze the brat so he can't even move. " She encouraged it.

The attack continued for several minutes- each minute more painful than the last. I screamed in agony- I couldn't feel my legs- they were paralyzed from the attack. It slashed my right leg with its back legs. I saw something red and wet make a big puddle on the floor. My eyes watered at the pain. I tried to move away but it sunk its fangs into my legs- It drew blood as it drained my blood and energy. I howled in pain yet again but I felt weak as a Magicarp. "Leave him alone ... please." Dad begged.

The evil hybrid unhooked its dripping red fangs from my skin. Before I had a moment to get up- not that I was able to-its claws wrapped tightly around me. They lifted me into the air to face J and squeezed me tight. I couldn't move, much less breathe. "Lemme. Go" I panted as I tried to escape but it was futile.

J looked me in the eyes. She was wild-eyed and totally insane. "I don't think I will. I'm going to make you pay for having that runt defeat Dark Dragonite and trying to save him." she flicked her gaze to dad and cackled coldly. "After that I'll deal with you. It's over brat! I have dreamed of nothing else for since my memory came back!"

(Boy, does she need a hobby) Aki muttered to herself.

J went on. "You messed up my plans too many times in the past and ruined my life. Now it's time to ruin yours. "

I shivered. "I'll make you suffer by killing your kid. Ariapion Crush him!"

(Yes Mistress) It rumbled as its grip tightened, squeezing me tighter, ripping through my shirt. i felt my ribs burn

Dad's eyes went wide as his face whitened in terror. He seemed to be frozen in fear, probably remembering J's Drapion nearly doing the same to him all those many years ago. "No … not that. Please no. Not again. Not my boy."

She noticed the look on his face. "This is like Deja vu for you isn't it brat? You know it doesn't have to be this way. All you have to do is surrender and Ariapion will… release him. " He looked from me to the cold-hearted villain and back for a few minutes biting his lip. " Tick tock. Ti The longer wait the more injured the boy gets. So what's it gonna be?" J taunted.

He opened his mouth as if to say something. "Don't listen to her Dad! Y-You can't give in. Only trying to. Trick you. Think of mom and AHHHHH!" I yelped painfully as the claw started to reach my ribs.

My cry brought him back to reality as he shook his head and his facial expression went back to normal and he shook his head. "I won't give into your demands. Never." He spat at the floor.

" Way to. Go Dad!"

" That's enough from you annoying li pest! " J addressed me." You are going to pay for that! However you are still my prisoners and you're both way too weak to escape. "

I needed to think of something so I wouldn't get crushed even worse. " Why ...you want to make… him suffer?"

"Because he ruined my plans. I lost a lot of good money due to him."

Dad gave her a look and said, "You deserved it."

"You never met ...my mom? So why did y-you want to tr-trick her into c-coming," I casually as I could as the claws burned into my rib cage.

"That's an interesting story. Ariapion, stop crushing the kid and loosen your claws slightly." The hybrid did as she commanded and I felt a bit relieved. She strode over to the hybrid and stroked its hide as if it were a Delcatty or a pampered Froufrou Not some hideous monster. "No, I've never met her apart from the attack in your house. I really could care less for her and if it had been up to me I would have simply frozen or had Ariados poison or paralyze her since she interfered." Dad, Storm, Aki and I gasped. J took in our expressions before going on looking at me. " It's my employer who wants revenge on her." She grinned gengar-like. "He told me his life's ambition was totally ruined because of your parents. He nearly got his revenge a few years ago. You were there too boy."

I was puzzled. Huh?"Wh-what are you talking about?"

She looked from Dad to me and back grinning. "Oh my. what's this? You haven't told him ... "

"T-Told me what?"

She chucked "how …delicious. I don't want to spoil it for you brat. My employer was so close to his revenge. " Dad's eyes blazed with utter fury. Who is this boss she keeps on mentioning?

"He was ever so close but that flawed rat foiled him. " Aki's fur bristled at this insult. "And a sacrifice by a weakling Butterfree -"

Evidently J has touched some kind of harsh spot. ."Don't you say that! His sacrifice wasn't useless J!" he yelled, his anger rising. "Face me yourself! Or are you too much of a coward without a huge Pokémon or machine to hide behind."

"DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME A COWARD!" She rounded on him, snarling. "How can you defeat me? You have nothing left. Your kid is as good as done and those mice are through too. You have nothing left. You wish to give up? You're still my captive. Before I get in touch with my employer I'm gonna torture you and your kid even more unless you Hand over that special Pikachu and surrender."

"Never. That's where you are wrong about me having nothing left. You forgot about something. " He looked at her, a determined look in his eyes then at Aki and Storm-I saw two empty SuperPotion spray bottles from my backpack at his feet. Aki's cuts were slightly healed and so were a few of Storm's. " Ready girls?" They nodded. " Aki, Spark! Storm, Screech attack and then try a mini -Wild Charge attack."

(I'll try ...my best) she whispered hoarsely.

(You got it!) Aki let out a weak bolt of electricity as Storm Screeched at Ariapion.

When that didn't work she mustered up a mini Wild charge attack- careful to aim it away from me-that did the trick. It screamed in pain as it dropped me painfully to the ground. "Great job you two. " Dad complimented.

I tried to move but the paralysis and the major loss of blood and energy made me only able to move about six inches. (Derek, watch out!) Aki and Storm alerted me but it was too late.

The Ariapion lunged as it kicked me to the nearest wall. I groaned as I hit the wall and fell to the floor while Dad, Aki and Storm screamed my name. I tried to get up but it used a thick Spider Web net to cover my entire body asides from my head and stick me to the floor. (You thought it be that easy to escape?) It hissed.

"Uh yes?" I glanced at J as I struggled against my cocooned bonds. "You ...won't get away... with this."

She rolled her ice blue eyes. "Technically I already have, little brat. Who is going to know what happened? Oh wait, just that scrawny weak woman who tried to stop me the other night. But by the time she recalls what happened it would be too late. "

Dad was seething mad. There was a deep inner fire burning in his dark brown eyes. "Don't you insult-"

" Mom's not scrawny nor weak!" I interrupted him, "You're wrong about no one knowing where we are. I saw your note and didn't show it to her. I showed it to my best friend, a cop's …kid" I lied.

"Then why hasn't anyone come?"

"Getting… backup."

She believed it and was boiling with rage. "Silence! It looks like you want to die right now. "

"Bite ...me." I retorted. Dad groaned.

Ariapion looked at me eagerly (I already did. Your blood is so delicious.)

I was wrapped up so much I couldn't move. J glared over at me. "You know and have seen too much kid. I hate to have Ariapion kill you. Oh Wait... no I don't. You would blab. Any final words before you die?"

"Boil your head in a huge vat of Tamato berry juice... then go to hell" I spat in the hybrid's face.

"Ariapion, silence that kid's mouth by disposing of him with your tails!"

It raised its glowing silver tails into the air. As if in slow motion I saw they come through the air. Dad, Storm and Aki's screams were muffled. "I'm toast". As the Ariapion's tails got closer to my throat I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn't want to see this and I heard their cries. But because of the net I was stuck. Please Arceus, Ho-Oh, Mew. Any legendaries out there … please don't let me die. Please oh please. Oh please.

…

Just as the deadly stingers hovered a few feet above my throat, I heard the door encased in ice burst open and the ice shatter. I opened my eyes at the sound. " What the-"

I saw a white-hot scorching flamethrower above my head hit the creature's tails. Ariapion screeched painfully as the attack struck. It ceased the attack removing its stingers from my throat area. I let out a long breath of relief. "That. Was. Too close."

A familiar, human voice screamed in serpenttongue. [Leave him alone, you filthy villain or pay the price.]

I saw a human figure in the doorway with a Seviper next to it. The figure was a boy... a boy with shaggy maroon hair with bits of dirt in it. I couldn't believe it. I thought the glowing Dustox had knocked him unconscious. It can't be. It just can't be... "J-jaden? Is that you? "

"Get the new kid with your acid!" J yelled.

"Severus Protect!"

A green force field appeared over them just as the Ariapion sprayed a thin stream of acid at them. The poison attack disappeared the moment it hit the force field. "Nice job. Sev. " I winced from the pain.

(Thankssss. Now to teach thisssss thing a lessssson) the Seviper waved his tail and the barrier disappeared.

Jaden somersaulted out of the way as He slammed into the hybrid countless times, making it go farther away from me. Each time the snake attacked he got stronger. He smacked it with a silver Iron Tail all the way to the other side of the room. (Never under essstimate a poisssson type'sss power or the power of Return) he hissed.

Severus threw daggers with his eyes at J as he slithered back over to Jaden. "L-let them go." Jaden told her. I noticed a bit of confidence in his voice.

"Who are you? " She asked.

(Your worsssst nightmare) Sev flicked his tongue in anger then nudged Jaden, who seemed to be frozen as he gazed at the Ariapion a look of fear on his face.

He blinked then took a deep breath. "What my Seviper said. We're your worst nightmare. Let them go free ... or m-or face the consequences."

She scoffed. "What if I don't want to, little boy? I don't know how you found your way here but you have one last chance to run away. If you don't run now you won't make it out ... alive. ". She looked over at me drawing a finger across her throat.

"No- I'm not g-going to run. I'm here to stop you and rescue th-them."

(Ssssame here) Severus added.

She smirked. "You and what army? That serpent?"

(I'll grind you to the ground and then feast on your livers!) The ariapion bellowed. (You can't defeat me!)

Severus locked eyes with the hybrid as he flicked his tail as if challenging it. (We'll ssssee about that.)

J looked over at him carefully. " You look a bit familiar boy. Have I stolen from you before?"

Jaden spat on the floor. "I make it a point never to deal with evil 'ssiya'ah' like you, " he replied using a serpent-tongue term for a female dog.

Her eyes burned with hatred for although she didn't understand what 'hsiya'ah' meant she knew it was a clear insult. "That remark is going to make you to be in lots of trouble brat!"

His eyes gleamed. " Did you say trouble?"

Severus stood in front of him (if ssssooo then let'ssssss make it double.)

For the love of Mew don't start! "Oh brother. " Dad muttered. "Tell me he's not going to-"

"To protect the world from devastation."

"He is. " I groaned, " Shut up Jaden!"

" To ignite blights in the nation. "That's not right. To alight grass with condensation?"

The large black snake Pokémon shook his head. (That dosssent sssseeem right either.)

"Blast! I wish I remembered the motto. I should have asked meowth before I -"

J's eyes lit up at the words 'meowth' and 'motto'. "A meowth you say? Motto? There were some bumbling complete imbeciles I ran into about the same time I ran into him "-her eyes glanced to dad for a few seconds. Piercing him with her glare. "They had a talking meowth I thought valuable so I stole it hoping to sell it but those ignoramus dolts along with him stopped me. I met those morons a few times more." Jaden's eyes darkened at each insult hunter J made to his parents and he balled his hands into fists. Severus hissed but she ignored him. "I wonder if those two dunderheads actually killed themselves in some harebrained plan they screwed. If they are then I can find that meowth-"

Jaden's eyes blazed angrily as he shouted, "you won't touch him or insult m- "-he caught himself- "them ever again!" he looked down at the snake Pokémon "get her Sev."

"Get thats snake! Sludge!"

Like a black-yellow blur, the snake lunged at the man-created Pokémon, who slid out of the way of the creature and blocked the attack with his partially red-colored blade-like tail. (Idiotic ssscum. Don't you know poisssson movesssss don't work on me) he opened his mouth and let out a thick cloud of smoke, which covered the room.

I heard shouts from J and Jaden as they commanded the two Pokémon, the Seviper's tail slashing and his taunts and the ariapion trying to strike back. "Psst Derek" I looked up and saw Jaden, a small facemask in his hands.

"Hey... man" I coughed. "How did you... find me? I thought those Dustox-"

"I had help." He looked me over. "You look like you had a major fight with a Victreebel and lost."

"Gee Thanks" I rolled my eyes. "Can you help me out of this web? "

(INCOMING!) Severus yelled as he slid next to us. (That thing Isss tough to beat) he paused to catch his breath.

"You're doing great pal." Jaden patted the Pokémon's head "try using your Rage and Iron Tail on that thing –"

"It's called an Ariapion- ugh, " I groaned from the pain.

(Whatever it issss it'ssss becoming a true big pain in my tail blade) the Seviper hissed.

"Do your best."

(I'll try Jaden) he flicked his tongue. (That woman will pay dearly!) His whole body glowed red and like a cannon he shot out into the hazy center of the room.

" What are we gonna do? Sooner or later his Rage attack boot is going to end. He's going to need help plus I need to get free. H-h-how is -?"

"How are we going to manage that?" Jaden ended with a smirk. "I have a way to heat up the match."

"How-" I stopped as he reached into his vest pocket, brought out a small Pokéball out and maximized it. My jaw dropped. I knew that dusty battered Pokéball well and more specifically who its occupant was. "How did -where did you get that? Is-"

He nodded then yelled, "great work Severus! Show em whose boss. Slamming Rock Smash!" Then he lowered his voice to a whisper. "I'm two ex-Rockets' kid. When we were constantly moving. They taught Jordan and me some of their skills. "

He threw the Pokéball on the ground where it split in two. I watched as the energy inside the ball come out and form into a small, bright orange and black striped female dog with a short rounded muzzle, rounded ears-one of which had a v shaped nick and a tiny fluffy tail. She had shiny black eyes and a tuft of fur on the top of her head. Her belly, tuft of head fur and tail were cream colored. I stared at the young she Growlithe- recognizing her immediately. I'd helped to heal and secretly train her after getting her away from her former abusive trainer over the past year. "Fl-Flamie. Is that you?" I whispered.

She shook her head and blinked around as the Pokéball flew back to jaden's hand. Her eyes went wide as she saw me. (D-derek? Is that you? )

He minimized it and put it away. He turned his attention to the battle and gave another loud shout of, " keep it up Sev! Get it with your dark pulse and whatever attack you can think of."

"Flamie..." I stared at the Growlithe as I nodded.

(How did you get injured like that? Wh-where are we?)

I looked over at the Growlithe lovingly. "Flamie ... can you use. A light fire fang on this web to free me?" I asked over the shouts of the battle.

She nodded as she opened her jaws wide and light red orange- flames appeared in them. She carefully bit down on the web. She repeated the attack four times until I was free but I still couldn't move- I felt weak as a newborn Skitty kitten. Jaden turned around and helped me to my knees.

I felt something warm and wet slobber over me. I felt her soft fur nuzzle me as she licked me all over- my face, my hands even my injuries. I smiled through tears as I hugged her- her paws on my knees. ". You're a good, good Pokémon. Good girl, Flamie."

For a few minutes nothing mattered - not that the smoke was thining nor the danger we were in or my injuries. I was just a young boy with his faithful dog Pokémon. (You're hurt) she observed.

I winced. "It's ... nothing."

(Where are we?) She whimpered- the smoke was thin enough to see the battered field now. Massive holes, blood and fur littered the ground so much it looked like a war zone.

"Long story short Flame. We're trapped with a madwoman who wants revenge on dad," I told her Jerking my head at Hunter J who was still fighting Jaden. "And we need to get out of here with Aki, Dad and Storm" I looked at them.

(That's your dad?) She followed my gaze a brief moment. (The one near Jaden?)

I nodded. "Y-yeah. "

She had heard descriptions of him while she was healing and secretly training along with my worries and wishes. (He has kind of the same scent as you. your descriptions described him well. You look just like him.)

"Yeah… I've been told."

(How are we going to -?)

(WATCH OUT!) An injured Severus was flung back to us, hit the wall and fell to the floor.

Ouch! That's must hurt.Jaden rushed to the injured snake's side " what happened pal?"

His Pokémon looked at him a bit unsteadily. (Sssstupid Mimic and Mirror Move. Ssssomehow thosssse attackssss are much more powerful than they should be.)

"Easy Sev." He looked at me as he nervously patted the Seviper's head.

Flamie whimpered. (How will we get out of here?)

"I don't know Flame. But first we have to stop ...her " Jaden glared across the room at J. There was an intense fierce look in my friend's eyes -he didn't forgive her for the insults about his parents.

(How do we do that) the growlithe asked.

"Well, well, well." Hunter J's voice broke through the smoke and brought us back to reality. She looked at us from the other side of the room, Her smile chilling me. "So a dog freed you. Big whoop. " She addressed me. "You're not getting away that easily. What's your choice- will you surrender? I won't hurt you... much. For now at least. There is the matter of-"

Flamie took her paws off my knees and went forward a few feet, pawing at the beaten floor, growling at the villain.

I bent up shakily but Jaden helped support me as I stood, put on my hat-, which had fallen off- and looked J right in the eyes. "Th-that is it. I've had more than enough of you! I don't think you're even a sane human. A sane human wouldn't put a loving family through this much pain and suffering! A sane human wouldn't harm my dad and storm like you did-"

(You go Derek!) Storm shouted.

Ariapion clinked its bloody claws at her if saying, 'shut up or you're next'.

I continued. "No human would do that to a poor pikachu or do what you've done. You think I'm going to surrender, after what I've seen? You kidnapped dad and Storm, injured mom and wiped her memory so she -" I stopped myself from mentioning the Aura bond and how lost Mom seemed to be. " "Couldn't remember what happened. Not to mention you insulted my parents and Nearly killed my Pikachu and me. You think-" I stopped as my wounds stung like heck and I made a pained face for a few seconds.

" hah! Please! You really think your lame speech is going much? What a load of bull sh-"

" Shut up you witch! Just shut up, you despicable she Arcanine!" Jaden yelled at her then nodded at me. "Go on Der-you can do it."

"You think-" I winced as I began again and -Dad stared at me awestruck as I spoke. "You think I'd give myself up after that? P-people say I'm just like my dad: same stubbornness, compassion and determination plus bottomless appetite. And right now the determination trait I inherited from him is rocketing sky high. You still believe you're going to get me-Derek Erikson Waterflower-Ketchum- to surrender to you? Here's my reply you ugly toad. "

I turned my hat around backwards with my right hand-Dad's famous signature pose -and yelled at the same time as Jaden. "Flamie I choose you! Aerial Ace!"

"Severus, Dark Pulse!"

Like a red-orange bolt of lightning the Growlithe jumped in the air as she zoomed at the Ariados, her body surrounded in white streaks. Before the bug had a chance to attack Flamie tackled it at the same time that Severus used Dark Pulse on the ariapion! Both attacks pushed the foes back. "Whoo- hoo! Take that J" I pumped my hands into the air. "This is gonna be too easy!"

"I wouldn't get too cocky if I were you" Jaden pointed to the foes which managed to get up and looked angrier than ever. For the love of Arceus what's its gonna take to defeat those Pokémon?

J looked amused. "Did you think I'd be beaten that easily?"

I felt my mouth dry up. I didn't know what to do. "Uh ... yes?"

Jaden whispered to me- a bit too loudly, "any ideas on how to beat this creepy bitch?" I shook my head.

J glanced to Jaden, Severus- flicking his tongue in agitation, Flamie and I. "that will cost you brats."

Jaden rolled his eyes and tried to stifle a yawn. " Put it on our bill. " I added.

"That's it! Playtime's well over! Ariados, get that curr with a Night Shade! Ariapion Thunder Fang that snake!" J commanded. "you're dead meat now."

I shuddered. Tarous poo! What are we going to do? There is only so much that Sev and Flamie can last against those things. "Do something Derek! Your Growlithe is going to get squashed!" Dad's voice brought me back to reality.

Thinking quickly I came up with a plan " Flame, listen to me: Agility then Body slam that bug!"

I kept my cool as she easily dodged the attack and toughly slammed into it- all forty-two pounds of fur and strong muscles. (YEEEEEOOOOW!)

"Thatta girl!"

(Take this you overgrown hideous bug.) She yelled then she bit one of its legs with Fire Fang.

It screeched in pain as its leg burned. (YOU BLASTED DOG!)

The room was quickly filled with the sounds of our Pokémon attacking each other and our commands:

"Bite!"

"Ember!"

"Slash that dog and snake!"

" Double Team Sev! Then Rage!

"Flamie, Take Down!"

(On it!)

"Poison Sting!"

"Sev! Block that attack with you tail blade then Venoshock!"

(You lousy serpent!)

"Sucker Punch Ariados! Ariapion use your Gunk Shot! "

(Ha! Misssssed!)

" Flamie! Fire Burst!"

" Severus, Secret Power Rage combo! "

...

At the moment it felt like it was just Hunter J, Jaden and our four Pokémon in the battered room- not dad, storm, or Aki. Nothing else existed. The roar of the battle coursed through my blood and rang in my ears. I felt it during school matches and saw it in Mom and dad's eyes when I witnessed them fighting. But this time I wasn't just battling for fun or a school competition trophy or glory. I was battling to save my life and that of my family's. I took a quick glance over at my father and the two Pikachus. They were extremely injured and weak and in no condition to fight. I knew that the second she ended with Jaden and I she'd finish what she started with Dad and Storm. Her long gestating plan for vengence had given her a one-track mind. There was no question about it: I HAD to take her down.

Jaden eyed the Ariados/ Drapion mix. "Severus, Double Team then Payback!"

"Thunder Fang it my pet!" J countered.

Within a second then were multiple serpents around it. (I shall make a belt out of that snake!) Ariapion yelled as the copies stuck out their tongues at it.

It fired a volley of electricity bolts from its bloody fangs at the snake. The first few bolts missed but the third Thunder Fang strike hit him. (YEEEEOOW!) He hissed in pain as the copies disappeared. He froze and I saw sparks coming out of his skin- paralysis.

"[Sz'yet]." I uttered a four-letter serpent-tongue term for Miltank cow pies -earning a look from dad as Severus hissed the translation under his breath. "Now how do we defeat her?"

" Oh we'll defeat her. " Jaden winked. "Sev! Activate your Shed Skin ability!"

(You got it!)

Hunter J looked bewildered as The Seviper's body glowed in a pale white. The light disappeared as he wormed out of his skin, leaving a white outer shell on the floor. The new skin looked much softer than the one he just shed. Jaden, Aki, Dad, I looked at each other nervously - we knew the new skin would be vulnerable until it hardened so we needed to stall.

" Fools! Now that snake is weak! It can't attack without injuring its skin!" J cackled. "You're mine. "

Jaden snapped his fingers. "Rats I forgot. How can he-OWW. " I elbowed him. "What?"

"We have to stall for time". I noticed Flamie still dealing with Ariados- she was putting up a good fight countering it's Bug Bite, Leech Life, and Fury Slash attacks with her own attacks like Take Down, fire spin, Ember, and Bite. "Keep up the great job Flamie!" I called out. She barked to let me know she heard me. Severus' skin was about one-fourth hardened.

I thought back to movies and TV shows I'd seen where a villain cornered the hero. Typically the hero would get the villain to start rambling in a monologue which would stall for time for an escape. I nudged Jaden and mouthed three words. " Jade. Monologue distraction."

He nodded getting my drift. "Wh-what are you planning on doing to us?" I asked as plainly as I could.

She narrowed her cold eyes. "Are you giving up? I knew you couldn't handle my Ariapion. My employer doesn't have to know about you boys. He only knows and cares about revenge on your parents. " She studied jaden closely. "You know boy... you don't even resemble your dad. Maybe you take after your grandparents."

Jaden stood still, but I saw his balled hands shaking. If Hunter J believed him to be blood related to me he wasn't going to say otherwise. He looked at me - our faces both white. This insane woman thinks we're actual brothers. If she found out the truth.Jaden gave a slight shiver as he looked at me and nodded as if to say 'we need to go along with this psycho. We have to protect our families ' . I totally agreed -If Hunter J discovered the truth and whom his parents really were we were so done for. "I ... dunno if i do. I N-Never met th them. Th-they Died years ago." He tried to sound brave but stumbled over his words.

It wasn't a technically a lie. Jaden's dad's parents-whom Mr. Smyth never got along du to not wanting to be a part of the snobby rich pampered lifestyle they had planned for him-with passed when he was young. Jaden only having only met them when he was a very young baby so he didn't remember them much. His mother's mother had perished when Mrs. Smyth herself was a little girl. When Grams had heard this she decided to be jaden and Jordan's surrogate grandmother. Dad's father- Grams' husband- had mysteriously vanished when he was a baby and Mom's parents lived far away.

J gave my friend a cruel smile. " I can see you shaking boy. Don't worry I won't send you to meet them… just yet. I'll have some fun first. I'll make your brother and that little runt pay for what you did to my beautiful Dark Dragonite."

(Beautiful? That thing? You're completely off your rocker. It deserved what it got. And I'm no runt!) She growled

Hunter J ignored the little mouse- not like she seemed to be able to understand the Pikachu and went on. " I'll whip both of you until your backs are covered in burns like his..." she looked at Dad and smiled evilly at him. "Besides there's someone who wants to see you again that is assuming she even remembers what happened that night which thanks to my Kadabra she doesn't." she cackled.

I glanced over at Dad, whose color drained from his face yet again. Dad, Storm, Jaden, Aki and I all gasped. Hunter J had just admitted that she caused my mother's short-term amnesia! " Don't you hurt her again J," my father said as he looked fiercely at her, his black eyes full of deep loathing.

She raised an eyebrow. " Is that a threat?"

" Don't you dare hurt her again!"

She smiled cruelly. "So it is a threat. Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn't. . If it's the only way to get you to listen... "

Her gaze went back to me. "I recall when she was fighting me- she said something about not hurting the children'. So you two must have other siblings." My mouth went dry as a desert and I couldn't speak for a few minutes. Colorful and not so nice descriptions for her filled my head. J continued. "I wonder… do they share the same annoying traits as you two? Are they that weak? ."

Jaden's face went grey as a Castform and he balled up his hands again. "I'm sure they won't be a problem when they see Daddy and you two tied up and majorly injured."

Dad looked like he wanted to ram into the evil ex-bounty hunter and pummel her to the ground...if he wasn't superbly injured and weak. He glared fiercely at her. " If you even lay a finger or harm my wife or ... other children."

"I take that as a yes. Once I defeat you I'll bind the three of you plus the mutt and the useless squirty rat. Then I'll subdue and lock that valuable mouse away. " She looked at Storm greedily. The electric mouse shivered as Aki stepped a foot in front of her mother her electrical sacks on her cheek sparking weakly.

To be continued…