Rising Fear

"Steelix, use Iron Tail!"

The Iron Snake Pokemon roared loudly, sending Rod backwards in its sheer power, as it twisted and smashed Kabutops down from one side. Rod could only watch in complete awe at the strength of Forrest, and he wondered how he had even managed to defeat this trainer in the first place back at Viridian Forest. In addition, Blaine had said that Team Rocket were looking for Gym Leaders, but could that really be true? What was their devastating plan, and how did that even tie into the scheme of things, could his own Father have been taken as well? Rod shook his head, refusing to believe it, and began to focus on the situation at hand here. Turning around, the destruction of the park was what came first, however the fires of the city seemed to vanish completely as Blaine had disappeared. The Pokemon Centre reappeared from the ashes, lit by the last few standing lampposts of the city, and Rod knew he had to get there eventually.

Forrest gripped hits fists harder and cried, avoiding a Kabutops Slash attack once again: "Steelix, Dragonbreath, wrap this one up!"

Kabutops roared loudly as it slashed towards the oncoming green jet of Dragon Type energy, completely deflecting it backwards. Steelix, taken by surprise, was forced back and its large snake like body instantly bruised and cracked. Rod dived to one side to avoid it collapsing on top of him, and he wished he could fight back as well, but his team was much too weak from what had happened already.

Rod cried: "Forrest, we have to get out of here! That Kabutops is going to rage!"

"Get to the Pokemon Centre! We have to stop this guy from attacking anything else though!"

Rod nodded, and was forced to take out a Pokeball again from his pocket as he threw it into the air blinding the area in a white light. Shinx reappeared, still bruised from the battle with Talonflame earlier, and roared loudly as it fired a Thunder Wave yet again towards the Shellfish Pokemon. Within seconds the inner rage seemed to stop dead in its tracks, as paralysis hit hard forcing it down, and Kabutops let rip one last screech before collapsing in a heap of electricity and pain. Shinx jumped onto Rod's shoulders as both trainers turned and ran, Steelix returned to its Pokeball, with the Pokemon Centre the clear destination and to hopefully find the authorities to sort this, still large, problem out.

…

The Kanto Prime Minister had completely vanished from Saffron City with the heat of public unrest and approach of Team Rocket. There was no hope, and he felt as though his time was up completely. Escaping under closed doors in the night to an unknown location, keeping the money he had gained from his time in power, there would be nobody to stop him. However, his departure left the Government in complete disarray, and his assistant, Betty, had been unsuccessful in locating Red. The trainer that had become so sought after when the crisis struck still had no location or evidence of whereabouts, and Team Rocket would win with the power at their disposal. Kanto had no army, and a set of Pokemon Trainers that had already departed to safer lands leaving a depleted group of Gym Leaders and fading Elite Four Members. The joint Johto and Kanto Champion, known as Lance, had also not been contacted or heard from in many months now. But why would nobody come to Kanto's aid now?

Betty sat down at the very desk her own boss was in less than twelve hours ago and shifted papers aside. She took a sip of the glass of whiskey she poured, and felt the liquid complete her defeated body and mind. Team Rocket would attack within a few days now, and she would have to deal with the consequences and try to fight back. Pewter City had gone down that very day with no response from anyone, the fires burning higher, and the lack of power was growing more and more overwhelming. Taking another sip, she put the glass down once again before hearing footsteps outside of the room in the darkened corridor. Shivering in the eeriness, she stood up and brushed dust off her black dress, repining her name badge to herself, and walked towards the door. The door knob was cool, and strangely slightly damp as the footsteps continued to get louder and louder. Was Team Rocket already here, preparing a sneak attack?

With no more fear or emotion left within, Betty swung the door open as a cool wind entered the room. To her surprise, the floor had completely flooded as water poured into the room wetting her boots to her feet. Shivering in the climate change she muttered: "W-who's there? S-show yourself!"

The footsteps stopped as a shadow was cast down on her, completely darkening the single bulb lit room. Looking up at the face of who it was, her eyes widened as she took a step back gasping: "It can't be!"

…

The Pokemon Centre had finally turned to back-up power and business was as usual, but the darkness and smog of Pewter City had threated many. Injured Pokemon littered the Lobby as their weak cries enlightening their burns and bruises. So many more were still out there trapped under the fallen buildings as police, fire fighters and authorities began to repair the worse parts that were damaged. Rod had found a place to sit, amongst the dozens of other trainers who were affected, as he forced himself to stay awake despite the panic and trauma around. His mind was clouded with fear and agony, and the burns he had sustained were thankfully not life-threatening but just sore. Applying a bag of ice to his arm, he awaited news on his injured Pokemon who had fought so hard in difficult circumstances. Bulbasaur, Shinx and Starly had all thrown their lives in danger to protect him and fight for a cause they had no control over. Kabutops had also been successfully contained with more Electric Types, used by authorities, keeping it paralysed whilst the Pewter Museum was repaired. Overall, the main City Centre was inaccessible and reduced to rubble, but the surrounding areas were still in working order. The City had reacted quickly to the threat, but still further evidence was being found behind the meaning and purpose of it.

Rod had spent at least an hour before with Forrest under interrogation by Officer Jenny and the National Police Service, but they seemed scared of the Team Rocket threat. Ignoring Forrest's calls for action, and the realization that the end of Kanto could be in sight. Had Team Rocket grown so strong that the government had fallen; unable to react to the threat? It only made Rod even more certain that he had to leave Kanto as soon as possible, and with Vermillion City so close, there would hopefully no more obstacles like this.

He heard the familiar jingle of the Pokemon Centre as the Emergency Sign and stood up before a sigh of relief broke from him. Creeping past some of the Pokemon Trainers who had fallen asleep, Rod approached the desk to the smiling, but tired, Nurse Joy who passed over his three Pokeballs. Picking them up, and feeling the energy of his Pokemon inside, Rod smiled and placed them safely away into his pocket.

Looking up, adjusting his headband, Rod smiled weakly: "Thank you, Nurse Joy. Is there any news about when the proper Authorities will arrive?"

Nurse Joy looked down, her hair greyed slightly, before responding: "I have had no word yet, but we have local police and doctors on site. It's recommended you leave Pewter City, Rod."

She turned away, into the Emergency Room as the light flickered back on as Rod nodded and prepared to leave Pewter City. Forrest had gone out into the open a few hours before, and he wanted to bid farewell. He was utterly devastated when the smoke hit the Viridian Forest only hours before, and Rod now knew he was the Pewter City Gym Leader as well. The City would have meant everything to him, and now to see it in ruins would tear him to shreds. Rod gave his all to help, but the damage was done and Team Rocket had proven again to be ruthless with their goals still fogged over completely.

Walking through the automatic doors of the Pokemon Centre, Rod immediately coughed at the thick smoky air outside. Pushing through it, he avoided the still burning rubble in places as the grey sky struggled to release sunlight onto the world once more. Voices were heard in the distance as Rod followed them feeling very isolated in the silence of the city. He had travelled to Pewter City when he was much younger, but now things had changed sporadically, and he had to find his friend.

Jogging forward, the smoke began to clear slightly as the Mt. Moon reappeared in the distance. It loomed over, casting a distinct and traditional shadow, Pewter City as Rod knew that would be his next destination before twisting towards Vermillion City away from Cerulean to the East. Figures began to appear ahead as the spiky dark hair of Forrest grew in sight to Rod's relief, and he picked up his speed towards his destination.

As Rod grew closer, Forrest's voice was heard, as he spoke to what seemed a Policeman: "I cannot stay in Pewter City. They are looking for me, and they will attack again!"

"Forrest, calm down! Why do they want you?"

Slowing down, Rod began to overhear the conversation as Forrest continued: "Team Rocket are recruiting Gym Leaders and Elite Four members. They are searching for them to help their cause. I am a threat, and I have to leave Kanto."

"Pewter City need you, Forrest!" The Policeman tried to reason, as desperation was heard in his voice. "We cannot defeat Team Rocket without you."

"They are waiting for me at Vermillion, and I will lead them away for now."

Rod approached, raising a hand in greeting as he spoke: "Forrest, if you want to leave Kanto, you can come with me to Hoenn."

Both figures turned around as Forrest's sooty face broke into a smile at Rod's approach. He replied: "You're going to Hoenn? That seems like a much safer location than here."

The Policeman nodded in agreement as Rod continued, putting pieces of the Team Rocket puzzle together in his mind: "Forrest they may be after you, but they may want me as well if they knew who I was."

"What do you mean?"

Taking a deep breath, Rod spoke as the sun finally broke through the ash cloud above the city as it lit the road around them: "My Father is Blue, the Viridian City Gym Leader. He left a few days ago, leaving me to go on my adventure as a trainer. I think Team Rocket are looking for him as well if they want Gym Leader."

Forrest's eyes widened in shock as the Policeman took a step back gasping: "You're the son of Blue? You both must leave Kanto, Team Rocket must not get hold of you."

Rod nodded, now realizing that he was in just as much danger as anyone else at the moment. If his Father was sought after, he was easy bait and completely unable to defend himself against an assault. Forrest wiped some of the soot from his face before calling: "I'll leave to Hoenn with Rod, but Vermillion City will be tricky, can we get some assistance down there?"

The Policeman stroked his chin before replying slowly: "It's possible that the Vermillion Coastguard isn't compromised yet. You both head there, and we'll sort out how to get you both out of Kanto. Just stay off the roads."

He nodded and left them both as Rod looked around the city feeling the sadness that had come from it all. Forrest threw a rock in his hand to one side as it shattered in all directions with more sunlight now breaking above them all.

He spoke as Rod turned away: "We need to help each other, Rod. We need to leave Kanto for the sake of avoiding capture, we need somewhere to relax."

Looking down, Rod could not believe how badly his journey could have begun with all this happening. But Team Rocket had to be stopped, and they both were struggling to defend themselves against whatever attack they had next in mind. There just seemed to be no hope here for now, but they had to leave despite it all. This war was not theirs to fight yet, and Rod was not strong enough.

He replied, kicking the remnants of rocks away from below: "Hoenn can be a new start for us, but leaving Kanto really hurts. I feel helpless."

"Kanto has its own heroes, Rod. There are trainers coming to help, and I know some who can solve this issue. But we have to play our part and leave."

Rod knew the words were true, and it hurt that they were. Kanto was ingrained into his heart as a home, and he promised himself that he would come back and help it in the future. Both trainers walked back to the Pokemon Centre to prepare for the next segment of their journeys. The dying fires and rubble of Pewter City seemed to collide into one as Rod's mind continued to be clouded with fear, horror and anxiousness as to what would happen next…

…

"I don't believe that there is actually hope for Kanto…"

Betty gasped with relief in her body now spreading all around as the new individual in the room had changed everything. He was the current reigning Champion of Hoenn, and one of the most powerful trainers ever to exist in history. Steven Stone had returned to Kanto amidst the threat of Team Rocket, and he had come searching for something already lost. His white hair had grown over the past year, and now was tied behind in a ponytail as a hat cast a shadow over his face and identity. Looking down at the scared Prime Minister Secretary, he knew that the attitude of Kanto was one of dismay.

He replied softly as he forced his mind to remain calm: "Help is coming for Kanto, but it will take more time. You must not speak of our meeting, but do you know where the Prime Minister has gone himself?"

"I have no idea...he left suddenly and there is no news on his whereabouts."

Steven groaned and looked away as he knew he had come too late, but calmness returned over as he knew there was still some hope to his plan. Kanto needed a new leader, but Team Rocket had grown so strong that not even he could battle and defeat them. He had to speak to someone who had already been taken and controlled, but who had Team Rocket gained access to?

Betty spoke again as she leaned back in the Prime Minister's chair: "There is news of a Team Rocket road block at Vermillion City. They are trying to gain control as to who leaves or enters the region."

Steven Stone nodded, flurrying his long black cape around as he left the room to the heavy breathing and slight whimpering of the Kanto Secretary. If Team Rocket were to take Vermillion City, the prime way out of the Region would be blocked and he knew that there must be somebody they were looking for. But how would he figure out who?