Chapter 9: Surprise attack

The team was ready as they could be with each of them holding an Ice rifle. "Drop the barrier, and then, pray," Melody said.

Then the barrier was dropped and the three Gravelers charged. The troops fired at the three but it seemed like even with all the ice the troops incased the three, they continued to shatter it and approach closer. "Don't give up, even if it doesn't look like it we are still applying damage," Melody announced.

Just then, one of the three Gravelers went underground. "Oh shoot!" Watch out below everyone and make sure the other two stay above ground!"

"Yes, Captain!" the announced.

"Captain, can we win this match?" Ash asked.

"Anything is possible, just don't let up. So show me the great agent I believe you can be," she replied with a wink.

He nodded and continued to fire at one of the two. But then a terrified scream was heard on the other side, their attention was turned to an agent being pulled into the ground. Some of the troops tried to pull him out but it was no use.

His screams of pain grew louder the father he was pulled in. Melody then removed out from the side of the rifle a small pistol, aimed it between the agent's eyes and fired. "I would expect anyone of you to do the same for me," she announced.

There has to be another way to stop these, Gravelers, Ash thought, running over to one of the weapon sheds.

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He looked at the different rifles. "There has to be a Water rifle in here somewhere," he said to himself.

He walked into the back with his Ice Rifle on his back, looking at the small sticker on the butt of the guns but all they showed was fire and wind. "Darn it, nothing!"

But then when he was about to walk out, his Ice rifle knocked over a Fire Rifle. He picked up the rifle and an idea hit him. "This is out there but it can't hurt."

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Outside, the troops kept shooting but they were starting to get pinned. "Captain! I don't know how much longer we can hold them off; the ice doesn't seem to be doing enough damage to them."

"Darn it, they must have come from an area where a large supply of Iron is. If we only had some Water rifles we could fight them off."

"Hey, where is, Ash?" Misty asked.

Then the other three looked around. "Where did he go?" Brock asked.

"He probably ran because he couldn't handle it," Max suggested in a smug tone.

"No way," May defended, "he would never do such a thing to his friends and teammates."

But just then, a large cylinder of water hit one of the Gravelers, in shock the group looked over to see Ash with an Ice rifle in his right arm and a Fire rifle in his left. "I didn't think this would actually work," he announced in shock.

"Genius," Melody cried out. "You half get Fire rifles as well while we will cover you."

The half went off to get the weapons while the other half continued to slow them down and with the help of Ash the tide seem to turn. "I knew you would turn out great," Melody commented.

"I'm just doing what I can," Ash replied.

"Oh, then I will do what I can on our second date," she answered in a mischievous tone, causing his face to turn red.

"Should you be talking about that during a time like this?"

She winked at him. "Ah come on, can't I have a little fun?"

Then the troops returned with the Fire and Ice rifles. "Fire when ready!" Melody commanded.

"Roger!" they replied, firing at the Gravelers with the combined elements to create water streams.

"For once it looks like you actually got us out of trouble instead of into it," Misty commented, gently slugging him in the shoulder.

"Ah, thanks?" Ash replied.

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Then a small time after the troops eliminated the Gravelers and restored the barrier, they gave three cheers to Ash. "You did very well for your first time outside Electric City, Ash Ketchum," Melody announced with him by her side and the rest watching. "Not only did you hold your ground during a surprise attack you thought of a creative method to use what we have to defeat the Poke'mon. I will make sure that you are better honored for your heroic efforts when we return to the city."

She then saluted and the rest saluted as well. "We thank you."

Ash saluted in return. "I just did what I could during the situation at hand."

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!" Melody announced.

"That's right!" the rest shouted back.

"At ease and get to sleep, troops. We still have a mission tomorrow and I don't want any excuses that you want more sleep. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Captain!" they announced, walking back to their tents.

But Ash's friends walked up to the two. "You did great out there, Ash," Brock commented.

"Yeah," Max scoffed. "But I could have come up with that."

Then May put her hand on top of her little brother's head. "Then why didn't you, Max?"

"Well, because I... I have my reason," he lied.

Then Misty wrapped her arm around Ash's neck. "Well glad to see you actually have some talent besides using your last name to get out of trouble."

Ash's face started to turn blue. "Can't... breathe."

Misty released her hold on him. "Ah, come on. I wasn't doing it that tight."

Max looked at what their Captain was wearing, a sly grin form on his face. "Captain, might I ask what you an Ash were doing in your tent dressed like that?"

Melody was in shock, with all the excitement she completely forgot she was still in her nightgown. May quickly covered her brother's mouth. "I'm sorry for what my brother said. He just doesn't think before he speaks."

Max tried to fight back, but May just held him tighter. "I don't need to answer that but it was nothing improper, so return to your tents and I want you all asleep in twenty minutes. Am I clear?"

They saluted. "Yes, Captain!"

The five was about to walk off but then Melody said. "Ketchum, I do wish to have a word with you in private at my tent."

Before Max could suggest anything, May already had her hand over his mouth. "Yes, Captain."

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Inside her tent, Ash sat on his knees while she stood with her back towards him. "So, Ash; I just want to make it clear for when we do go out, you do not mention our relationship to anyone, not even your friends."

Ash seemed confused. "Why not?"

She exhaled. "Because, I am still you're higher in command and you are one of my trainees. If our relationship gets out, I suspect that accusations will get out that I am being lenient towards you because of it. Do you understand?"

Even though Ash wanted to argue with that, he knew she was right. "I understand."

She turned towards him with a smile. "I'm glad to hear it; because I wouldn't want your reputation ruined because of little young me."

Ash chuckled slightly in return and stood up while yawning. "Well, if I don't get as much sleep as I can now, I will be pretty useless tomorrow."

Melody giggled. "I see," she walked up to him. "But I still feel like I'm forgetting something that was interrupted before this whole mess started," then she snapped her fingers while her face lit up. "Now I remember!"

She walked closer, leaned in and kissed him right on the cheek. His face turned red. "Now, if our real date goes off well, the next will be on the lips. Now, off to your tent, Private."

Without saying another word, Ash saluted and walked off to his tent.

To Be Continued

I know, a bit shorter than my usual chapters. But oh the jealousy and heartbreak is about to begin. Read and Review.