VulpixTrainer: Okay, here is chapter 25; Matt and the group are now visiting the land where this whole thing started, the Kanto National Forest. So, let's move on. Also, thank you to Negrek for Beta Reading this chapter.
Matt: VT does not own Pokemon; it belongs to Nintendo, game Freaks Inc. and the man who thought the whole thing up.
Back to the BeginningThe main cabin for the Kanto National Forest was situated near the front gate of the park, which closes every day at nightfall. Of course, you can get special camping permits to camp overnight. But the building itself was of a simple design, built from wooden logs and with a sign above the doorway that stated "Ranger Station." It was a simple sign, but one that said it was the keeper of peace in the forest.
Matt, Becky, and Ethan Teleported into being in front of the doorway along with Matt, Firestorm, Kyle and Eve. Eve was curled up in Ethan's hands, which where folded to make a type hammock for Eve to sleep in. "Thanks for the ride, Kite," Matt said as the Alakazam teleported away.
This is it, where it all started exactly one year ago. It is amazing. I never thought that I would ever be hunted by Team Rocket, have two Vulpix as starters, and an ex-Magma Pokemon to boot, along with the ability of turning into a Ninetales. Oh, well, let's go see what's changed in a year.
Matt made the first move by going up and knocking on the door, and a moment later the door opened, revealing a man of middle age, medium build and a black mustache. "Well, if it isn't Matt and…well, Matt. How are you doing? Come in, come in," he said in a joyous voice. "Don't just stand there, Becky and Ethan, you come in as well." He then laughed heartily and led them into the main area of the building, sitting down behind a wooden desk with a Video Phone on the wall behind him and a computer on the desk's right side. The left side was clean except for one last report. On the middle of his desk sat a desk plate with his name on it: RANGER RICK
"So, has anything bad happened?" Matt asked as he sat down in one of the three chairs that were on the other side of the desk. Becky and Ethan both took a chair on each side of Matt and the Pokemon all sat by the sides of their respective trainer.
"Well, not since you left. In fact, we have only had the Pokemon troubles. You know, a Bedrill attacking some stupid teen that terrorizes the hive, another teen who decides to throw rocks at Spearow. Basically, the same-old punk teens that think it would be cool to terrorize Pokemon."
"It's kids like those that give Matt and me a bad name," Becky said, making a face while shaking her head in disappointment.
"Yes, I think you should take Matt and Firestorm to see their pack, although I don't know if you should follow them. You could frighten the rest of the pack."
"Okay, how long do we have? That is, when do you think we should leave to go so we won't bug you?" Matt said in his usually joking manner.
"Well, I think that you should at least spend tonight here. But please refrain from battling, it is against the rules. But you can capture the Pokemon on film, of course, so please be safe and have a fun time," Ranger Rick said as he led the group out of the office and, smiling, closed the door. As soon as it was shut, his face lost the smile and, smirking a little bit, he turned to the wall. Taking off the rubber mask that he was wearing, he sat down at the computer and, turning to the Video Phone, started to dial a number.
"Becky, I want you to and Ethan to go cross country. I will go to the camp, but I have a feeling that Ranger Rick wasn't who we pretended who he was," Matt said as they began to hike up the trail.
"I think you are right, Matt. I don't trust that man one bit," Becky replied as she also started to look around, searching for anything that was out of place.
"What! What is going on here?" Ethan asked as he turned his head form one person to another. "Why are you all acting paranoid, anyway?"
"Ethan," Matt said as he tuned his head to look at his younger brother, "there is something you need to understand." Matt took a deep breath before continuing. "Team Rocket is after all of us, and I mean all of us. So, that means that they will be setting up traps and other things to try and get us to join them." Matt then stopped as a group of Jr. Trainers hiked past them towards the gate of the forest and home. The group then smiled at the three people and then just laugh at how Eve was staying way close to Ethan's right leg.
"Hey there, are you here for a hike? Because up there we saw a Ninetales! I mean, that's something you don't see here everyday, so if you're fast and lucky you could see it as well." At this the group passed into the background, still heading to the front gate.
"Vulpix, pix lix ix," (I think that is our leader. He always does that at the beginning of the league,) Matt said as he looked at the crest of the hill, which was still about two minutes away.
"Vul pix vulpix pix ix." (Yes, he says it's to pay tribute to his trainer, a great man who died about one hundred years ago.) Firestorm added as they continued up to the crest of the hill.
"Ninetales, tales nine ninetales nine in ales," (You will understand one day, my kit, but until then, enjoy every day you have with you trainer,) a Ninetales spoke as he walked out of the brush and right in front of the group, preventing them from progressing any farther.
"VULPIX!" (FATHER!) Matt yelled, running over and playfully tackling his dad. This then made the father Ninetales just smile a fox grin before boxing Matt on the ear, and then the two started a small wrestling match that only canines could do.
Matt just couldn't keep it in; he just started to chuckle, which turned into a real heartfelt laugh of joy and enjoyment.
"Nine! Tales ninetales tales ales nine in tales? Tales, ales in nine tales, ninetale nine." (What! You allowed your trainer to see this? Wait, he doesn't smell right, Ninetales scent is present on him.)
"Vulpix vul pix ix lix vulpix," (Father, that is because he is a Ninetales,) Matt replied to his father, their wrestling match forgotten as they both stared at each other, Matt up to the pack leader and Matt's father down towards his kit and ex-pack member. "Vulpix ix pix lix vul." (I brought him here so he could be inducted into the pack. Besides, I have come to announce who I will have for the millennium.)
"Nine! Ninetale ninetales tales ales," (What! That is wonderful, I hope its firestorm,) the pack leader said with a big smile. He then looked at the three children and he called to them.
"Ninetales, nine in tales," (Come, you must watch the ceremony,) the Ninetales said as he started to leave.
"I would like to, but I feel that I would only intrude on things that I would never understand," Matt said as he politely declined the offer. "I hope this does not lessen your respect for humans, but I feel it to be something just between the pack."
"That is a very considerate thing to say, but as leader of this pack I insist that you come. It is rare for someone like yourself to even see me, but I know that you are pure of heart and very understanding."
"If you insist then I have no room to argue," Matt said while thinking, What is it with everyone calling me pure of heart? I mean, I make mistakes just like everyone else, but maybe it is they way you look at life? Oh, well, I will have time to ponder this later.
Matt and Becky both stared at each other, looked over their shoulders and walked into the bushes that lined to path so that only Pokemon could pass through into the wild beyond. After looking around, they took on their Ninetales form as Ethan took his Eevee form. Then Matt, Matt, Becky, Ruth, Firestorm, Ethan, Eve, Kyle, and Flare all followed Matt's father past trees that are tall even to a human. The rest of the team did not want to intrude upon the ceremony and returned to their Pokeballs instead. As they traveled, the Ninetales began a conversation with Matt.
"So you are my kit's trainer?" the male Ninetales asked Matt, who was walking up next to the leader.
"In a way, yes, and in a way, no. You see, in this form it is your son, I mean kit, who has trained me on using my attacks, although he has said that there are things that he did not know that you would know," Matt replied in a reverent tone because this was the leader of Matt's pack.
"Please, call me Pouncing Flame, as one pack leader to another." Matt was about to protest, but Pouncing Flame cut him off with a small bark before continuing, "You are a pack leader, one of a diverse pack, but a pack leader nonetheless." By this time they had reached a natural wall of briars well off the path and in the heart of the forest. "This is our home. Please follow me." He then disappeared into the briar, followed by Matt and Firestorm, then by Flare, and more slowly by Matt, Becky, and Ethan. But they finally get through the briar patch without a scratch. They just followed Matt and Firestorm's scent.
"WOW!" Ethan gasped as he walked back into sunlight. In fact, where they emerged they could see that the briar patch had kept out the trees, allowing in sunlight to warm the area up. "Look at all the Ninetales."
"Quiet, we are guests of Pouncing Flame, and we can't allow them to know who you are," Matt whispered back, making sure no one heard what he said.
"Right, Matt…" Ethan never finished, for at that moment a small group of young Vulpix of around two tails swarmed in and pounced on both him and Eve. This ended up as the beginning of a big chase game tied into tag, Pokemon style.
Matt and Becky broke out laughing at seeing Ethan playing with these young kits and having a fun time. "So, Matt, what are we going to do? I mean, we are now guest of Matt and his pack and, well, I don't think you have ever had live Pidgey, or Rattata, for that matter," Becky said as she looked at the sky and knew that soon it would be feeding time.
"Becky, I know that. I also know that you have been like this longer. I just can't bring myself to eat real Pokemon. That is why I have always had those veggie burgers instead of Tauros. But I guess I have to, don't I?" Matt was beginning to just get annoyed. I have never liked this one bit. I am a human being with goals, yet Team Rocket did away with that and now I'm some sort of tool to them. Well, I am not going lie down and be captured. I have a pack to protect…Stop that, Matt, I am not a Pack Leader; I am Matthew Brown Vixen, formally Matthew C. Brown. I am a Pokemon Trainer.
"Matt, easy, you are starting to look upset and angry, things that you should not be around here," Becky said, trying to soothe Matt and calm him down.
"Sorry, Becky, it's just that I was beginning to have thoughts of being a Ninetales and protecting my small pack." Matt, then deciding that he needed to get up and move around, got up from his sitting position and walked to Pouncing Flame to talk about things that had been bugging his mind
(Two Hours Later)
"Now concentrate! There, you got it," Pouncing Flame said as Matt, with Sir Thief's permission, was practicing his ability to control minds and starting to use more advanced and cunning tricks to help him to avoid and even outwit the Rocket grunts.
"Sir Thief, walk forward," Matt commanded, not really liking it, but knowing that he might have to do this to cover his tracks and maybe get out of sticky spots.
Sir Thief walked forward like he was sleepwalking. As soon as he was in front of Matt, Matt blinked and ended the brainwash, and Sir Thief suddenly blinked a few times but regained his composure and asked a question, telling everyone that it had worked. "What happened? Matt, did you practice on me again? Because it's getting a little nerve-wracking to be suddenly one place and then another almost instantly."
"Sir Thief, that is all. I had to do it while you were not expecting it. That was the final test for a beginner. Unfortunately, it is now night time and we need to bunk down for the night." Turning to the leader, he bowed his head. "Thank you for teaching me this. I will return every year to learn more and bring your kit for visits." Matt turned and signaled to everyone that they needed to go, only to have Matt's mother stop the young Vulpix.
"My kit, take this Rawst Berry to help you on your journey. Please be safe. Also, look out for Fiery Tail. He was made an outcaste because of his actions and has sworn revenge on you, as well as you human trainer." Matt's mother was looking as worried as a female Ninetales could look. "Just be careful. He is power-hungry after that evolution. Oh, Matt, he wants Firestorm all to himself."
"Ma'am, I will protect your kit with all the power that I hold," Matt said, stepping up to the mother. "I promise you on my nine tails that he will stay safe." Matt was using one of the most solemn promises that a Ninetales could make.
"Don't worry, Matt, I know you will, in both forms." She whispered the last part so only the two Matts could hear.
"Now, Golden Fur, I think it is time for our visitors to go on their way," said Pouncing Flame. Turning to the retreating group, he shouted one last phrase of advice and blessing. "Good luck, and may Ho-oh protect you all in your journeys," Pouncing Flame said as the small group of Pokemon left the meadow
(Campsite #12, one hour later)
A female trainer was finishing up her supper along with her Pokemon, which were a Slugma, Sneasel, Heracross, Elekid, Salamence, and an Absol. The Absol had gone over to the side of the campsite next to the trees, when suddenly a form ran from the direction of the lightly packed trees instead of the trail that you are constantly reminded to stay on, tripping over her and falling face-first into the dirt. The figure tried to scramble up, but the Absol just pounced onto the person and held him to the ground, snarling.
"Call off your Absol, I really need to get out of here…" The person, who was a male, by the tone of his voice, was cut off by the appearance of two talking people.
"Well, I must say, Katie, that all we had to do was chase him into some trainer's camp and we got him," the man said as he came into the clearing, and then a woman also came into the clearing. Both were wearing ranger uniforms
"Right you are, Gary, right you are." Turning to the trainer, she just smiles and says, "Thank you for stopping this nasty poacher from escaping. Now, tell your Absol to release the kid and we will leave." The lady just smiled as she slowly moved over to the man and started to remove handcuffs from her belt.
"No! They're Team Rocket! They are after my Pokemon. You have to help me," Matt yelled over to the trainer as he tried once again to wiggle out from under the Absol's body weight.
"Mandarb, let go of the kid," Lindsey said as she turned to face the three intruders.
Matt, as soon as he was free, jumped up, but almost immediately was captured in a net fired by the two rangers. "You will not take me, do you hear me? I will not join your organization." Matt was now yelling as he tried the get out of the net
"I don't think so. Go, Vileplume! Put this kid to sleep. I am really getting sick of your load mouth saying how you will escape. Look around you! You are alone with not one Pokemon around you." The ranger then threw the Pokeball that held the Vileplume.
"I don't think so. A Ranger does not act this way. Mandarb, use your Razor Wind." Lindsey had gotten up and taken a battle stance. Mandarb tilted her head back without saying a word and flicked her black scythe forward, sending a white band of energy right at the Vileplume, fainting it in one hit.
"What! How did this happen?" The male ranger said as he turned to face the female trainer. She grinned impudently at him from behind her glasses, toothy smile reminiscent of the attacking Salamence portrayed on her otherwise black sweatshirt. Grunting, the grunt just threw out his next Pokemon, directing it at Lindsey. "Arbok, let's show this girl who she's messing with. Katie, take care of the boy. Arbok, Poison Sting now."
"Zeus, get the kid over here. Mandarb, dodge and use your Hyper Beam attack," Lindsey ordered in a tone of dead seriousness.
Zeus nodded once and, flapping his wings, flew low to the ground, right past Katie and, grabbing the net, hauled it up into the air and then back to Lindsey before turning to face the two grunts.
Mandarb let out a low growl of "Abb" before taking a deep breath. The energy of the yellow Hyper Beam began to form, growing bigger and bigger before launching right at the Arbok, knocking it back into Gary and then into Katie. There was a brief moment of calm before there was an explosion and the two were launched into the air.
"We can't believe we're blasting off like Jessie and James!" both Gary and Katie yelled as they disappeared into the night sky.
"Thank you… uh, what is your name, lady?" Matt asked as Zeus broke the net with his teeth and Matt got out of the net.
"My name is Lindsey DerMorat," she said as she shook Matt's hand, though she was a little shy, looking at her feet
"Mine is Matthew Vixen," Matt said as he returned the handshake. "I really am very grateful for what you did back there. I really thought they had gotten me." Matt then looked to the sky as they all hear another explosion and another star twinkles. "Looks like Becky got her pursuers." Almost before he finished there was a third explosion, followed by a third star twinkling. " That must be my team and hers finishing up their second batch." Matt then snapped back into the present and sweatdropped. "Uh…I guess I better go. Thanks for helping me out back there." He turned to go, only to have Mandarb stand in Matt's path, growling.
"So sorry about that, Matt," Lindsey said as she moved over to Mandarb's side, "but it looks like she wants you to stay for a while longer." She then looked at Mandarb. "Now, now, Mandarb, will you please be nice and let him go?"
The Absol just shooks her head and continued to stare at Matt.
At this time the rest of Lindsey's team came over and started to jabber with Mandarb and Zeus about the battle.
"Well, I guess since you will be staying for a little while, uh…I guess I should introduce my team," she said, still a little nervous. "The Slugma is called Negrek, the Sneasel is called Skezzik, the Heracross sucking the sap from the tree over there is called Stalwart…Salt, will you not get into my pack? You already had your ketchup! Anyway, Salt is the Elekid, and you've already meet Zeus and Mandarb. Zeus is the Salamence, and Mandarb is the Absol." She, during the entire time of introducing her team, was not nervous or shy.
Matt jumped up and waved his hand towards the forest at some shadow before sitting down. "Lindsey, you will now get to meet my team. I hope they're all right." At this moment all of Matt's team walked in while Becky came in, riding her Arcanine. Ethan was out like a light behind Becky, having been hit by a Sleep powder.
"So, let's see…" And Matt and Becky began the introduction of their team and soon found out the Lindsey was heading to battle Misty, the Gym Leader of Cerulean City.
VulpixTrainer: That is the end of Chapter 25, and hopefully in the next chapter we will get to Pewter.