AN: Just a little more background on the Safari Zone. I set it up like I did since it is not really possible for all the pokemon to just respawn over night or to lay an egg every few minutes. So "throwing rocks" or whatnot is not included. With all the helpers gone, it makes more sense to only catch a few per visit. And limiting the amount of visits and violence also helps control the population.

I will be sticking close to the pokemon they obtain in show. Maybe a different order and maybe a few changes but I will try to stick to that template as much as possible! It is a bit easier with Gary since no one really knows where he got most of his. Will be going off where to find them in-game for those!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of the characters. Just the random plot bunnies that my mind creates.

Chapter Warnings: Language, pretty emotional chapter for our little Ashy-boy

Chapter 7 – A New Foe

Ash waits anxiously in the Pokemon Center lobby. Nurse Joy had called him over after breakfast to tell him that he can grab Lapras and Pidgeotto. However, his bird pokemon has a slight sprain in her wing from falling and can't fly for a few days.

A record in Battle Simulations means nothing if all of the pokemon I capture have extensive injuries. He thinks glumly.

Ash remembers the angered look on his partner's face as he told him the news. Apparently he only captured the Fearow so that they would be able to fly over Route 15's ledges and he would have something to battle the Dragon Riders in midair.

So much for thinking that anger of his had diminished.

Chansey once again brings out his pokeballs on a tray which he attaches to his belt. He has five pokemon now. Almost a full team.It then hands him a list of instructions for how to tie a sling around Pidgeotto's wing and the proper care of Lapras' harpoon wound.

Ash heads back up to their room to grab his gear before heading out. Gary is sitting on a bench outside of the Center staring moodily at those walking by. Why is he still sulking? It is not like Pidgeotto would be able to carry Pikachu, me and my gear at once anyway. Not until she evolves.

Ash sighs and begins to walk over to his partner when he hears a snippet of a conversation from a couple passing behind him.

"-completely destroyed. There are rumors going around that that one gang is behind it."

"You mean the rocket-"

"Excuse me!" Ash quickly turns around and grabs the man's arm who glares at Ash until he sees the large rifle in the raven's other hand.

"Woah officer. I wasn't doing anything!"

Ash huffs in annoyance. Being a soldier can be a real pain sometimes. He lets go od the man's arm and slings the weapon over his shoulder to put the man at ease.

"Sorry to bother you, but I overheard your conversation. Is there trouble?" Ash notices his partner join him at his side. The man warily looks over the two soldiers before explaining.

"A friend of mine was leaving Lavender Town late last night. When he was walking down Route 12, he heard a huge explosion and saw that the Pokemon Tower was on fire. He saw a hot air balloon silhouetted in the sky from the tower of flames. He swears he saw one earlier that day and that it might belong to Team Rocket. So he flew here hoping the military could help, but none of them believed him saying they haven't received a distress signal from the town. Just said he was hallucinating or something." The man takes a deep breath from his long explanation.

Ash's eyes widen in horror. If that story is true, Lavender Town could be in some serious trouble. The Pokemon Tower houses many ghost pokemon who have viciously preyed upon the town in the past whenever there is too much disturbance. Ash turns to his partner to see a matching look of terror on his face.

"Why didn't anyone contact us?! The League knows we are in town. Even if they don't have anyone free to send that are stationed here, we could at least go!" Ash whispers hoarsely.

Gary nods at him, his face blank once more. The brunet turns to the couple to ask a few more questions.

"Who is this Team Rocket? We've never heard of them before. Even if we did just graduate from the Academy, we were kept up to date with the current events of Kanto. They were never mentioned."

The couple shares a glance and hesitates to answer. Ash glances in confusion between the two and his partner who is now squinting at them through narrowed eyes, his body tense.

"In all honesty, sir, people have been requesting help that the police can't handle for years but the military ignores everything but fortifying the walls, guarding the cities against wild pokemon and battling the Dragon Riders."

The man trails off as he sees the look of rage beginning to take over Gary's face. Sensing the impending danger, Ash thanks the couple and sends them on their way before leading his fuming partner back to the bench. He grabs Gary's shoulders and gives him a rough shake.

"Gary! Snap out of it! If the soldiers here won't go to help, WEhave to and we have to leave NOW! It's at least a 5 hour flight if we push it but Pidgeotto is hurt and Fearow can't carry all of us so we have to do a forced march. We don't have time for this. Lavender Town needs our help.

Ash locks onto the green orbs as he gives the brunet another shake. He slowly sees the rage dissipate to leave a quiet determination behind.

"Let's go then Ashy-boy."

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Throwing a glare at the useless soldiers posted at the gates, Gary sprints behind Ash out of Fuchsia. Even if they could run non-stop, it would take at least two days to get there due to all the ledges and hills. Ash was right though, there is no way Fearow could carry them both...Wait a second.

"Ash! Wait! I have an idea!" Ash turns back to look at him with impatience written all over his face.

"Call out your Tauros. He can jump over the small ledges and I can fly on Fearow. We will be able to get to Lavender Town by sunset that way."

A smile crosses Ash's face at his suggestion but quickly falls. What is he upset for? This new plan cuts the journey in half!

"Gary...we haven't had a chance to train them yet. There is no way they will allow us to ride them. Especially Fearow since you had to battle with him."

Gary's face falls at that thought. Damn it! We need a way to control them. We have to get there before it gets late. The ghost pokemon are strongest at night. The town won't stand a chance without our help...The collars!

"The shock collars! We can put them on as soon-"

"No!" Ash interrupts, "I won't put those on any more pokemon! You know how much pain they cause and there is no way to remove them." He looks sadly at his partner sitting forlornly near their feet. The pain setting set to almost max due to its electric typing.

A brief memory flashes through his mind. A memory of one of their first few Battle Simulations classes when they first got moved to the advanced classes. Ash misjudged the setting needed for the pokemon he was battling with. The resentful pokemon turned to attack his partner leading to almost everyone in the room to call out the subjugation code word. The high level setting frying the pokemon from the inside out. Leaving a smoking corpse at Ash's feet.

"We don't have a choice Ash. We can worry about removing them later. We have to get there before nightfall."

Ash looks at the ground before slowly removing his pack and digging out a shock collar. The raven looks like he is about to cry.Gary reaches out to comfort his partner but stops himself. There's no time for this. Rocket or Riders, someone is attacking the town and we have to help. Before anyone else dies. Before anyone else loses their families like they did.

Gary pulls out a shock collar from his bag and Fearow's pokeball. He gives a pointed look at Pikachu, who sensing his trainer's anguish and inability to command, nods at Gary.

"Pikachu, can you give them just a little shock when they come out? Not enough to cause any damage, just enough to distract them while we slide the collars on."

The rodent nods its head again as it narrows its black eyes in focus. Small sparks emerge from the red storage pouches in its cheeks.

Gary releases his massive Fearow from its pokeball. Just as its form takes shape, Pikachu zaps it with a small jolt of electricity. Gary quickly slides the metal cord from one end of the device around the neck of the bird and clasps it together. He switches to a low setting since Fearow is a flying type and weaker to electricity before jumping out of the way.

Fearow immediately notices the strange contraption on its neck. It bends its long neck down and Pecks at the device to try to dislodge it. The bird stills as electricity courses through its body. It slowly looks up and glares at its new master.

Oh boy. He is certainly going to be a handful. The bird spreads its wings wide as it turns to attack the brunet.

"Otpravit'!" Gary yells out as he shoots an arm out towards the pokemon. The code word triggers the collar to once again shock the proud bird.

"Submit to me. I am your trainer now."

Fearow slowly tucks in his wings and inclines his head slightly as he watches the brunet carefully. Remaining motionless for the time being to prevent getting shocked again.

He looks over at Ash to see the raven sadly looking at the Safari Ball. He can't do it.

Gary slowly approaches his partner and gently takes the ball and collar out of his partner's hands. A drop of liquid falls on the ground between their feet.

Gary lets the Tauros out of its ball and Pikachu once again stuns the creature as Gary slips the collar on.

The Tauros begins to flail at the restriction. Gary quickly returns to his partner's side and pushes him slightly behind him. Ash won't put up much of a fight in this state.

"Ash. You have to be the one to say the code word. The collar won't recognize you as Tauros' trainer otherwise. These are different from the starters' collars who can be disciplined by anyone."

Tauros lowers his head at the duo as it's front hoof scrapes the ground. It's going to charge.

"Ash!"

"Otpravit'." Ash chokes out from behind him. The raven walks around his partner to slowly approach the frozen bull with tears streaming down his face. Tauros warily watches as the soldier comes forward. Gary watches in awe as it seems to relax completely as Ash reaches out to pet his mane.

"I am so sorry. I promise I will find a way to get this off. No matter what. I will get this off you. Both of you." Ash glances towards Pikachu at his feet.

"Ash...we have to go." Gary calls out quietly. He sees his partner nod before whispering to the newly collared pokemon. It slowly kneels to allow Ash and Pikachu on his back.

How did he manage to fully discipline a near-rampaging Tauros with just a small shock and a few whispered words?

Gary turns back to his transport who is still eyeing him with defiance even though its pose is one of deference. Better strap myself in. Even with the collar, I don't trust him not to throw me off on 'accident'.

Grabbing the rope from his pack, he hops onto the pokemon's back and lashes himself secure. He grabs on to the collar to steady himself.

"Alright Fearow. We have to make it to Lavender Town by sunset. If we don't, many people are going to die. Stay in time with Ash and Tauros. Let's fly."

Gary holds on tight as the massive wings spread out under him and push against the air to get them into the sky. After a few mighty wing beats, they level out about 50 feet above his partner who has already begun to run east down Route 15.

This is going to be a long day.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

AN: Otpravit' is Russian for "submit". I figured that would be a cool code word to activate the collars since whenever I hear Russian accents, I think of the military. I clearly watch wayyy too many action movies.

But hopefully this clears up at least a little mystery behind how the collars work and spices up the story a bit!

Favorite/follow/review please!

Next up: Chapter 8 - Possessed