Alright, I wasn't expecting a flood of feedback but not even a single review or pm? I need them guys, they're what lets me know if you're enjoying the story or not. I'm still gonna go ahead and write my Xcom fic, but I'd still like to know what you guys think about it. On a slightly different note, this chapter has replaced chapter 14 as my favourite to write so far. Here's hoping you guys enjoy it as much as I did! Please remember to leave me a review letting me know what you thought, it really does mean a lot to me! That's all for now, on with the show!


Proton jumped backwards, hand moving to the bandolier of balls around his chest. A wheezing appeared in front of him, billowing foul smelling smoke. Ethan immediately ordered Torch forward. The cyndaquil opened his jaws, blasting a jet of flames straight at the wheezing. The pokemon levitated straight upwards, dodging the blast of flames. It floated forwards, poisonous gas billowing out of every orifice. Torch spat another jet of flame, igniting the gas.

The pokemon exploded violently, showering the area with chunks of pokemon. Proton scowled angrily and promptly released a pair of koffing. In unison, the pokemon belched a thick cloud of acrid black smoke. Ethan caught a glimpse of Proton sprinting directly at him before the smoke enveloped them both. Ethan dove to the left, dodging Proton's charge and landing on a mangled human corpse.

Ethan tapped a pair of the balls on his chest, releasing Tia and Eon. "Tia, stay by my side. Eon, find the man attacking us and restrain him. Torch, if you catch a glimpse of those koffing then you hit them with as much fire as you can muster." He shouted, immediately descending into a coughing fit. His arm shot up, covering his mouth and nose, and his eyes shut to block out the smoke.

Ethan heard his tauros grunt an answer then snort in discomfort, and his cyndaquil's squeak of determination. Eon angrily protested in his head, but agreed with a more forceful order from Ethan. Ethan felt the rush of wind as the bird levitated itself upwards, in an attempt to escape the smoke.

"I knew I recognized your face Mr. Gold. You and your pokemon are the subjects of several extremely high-paying bounties." Proton taunted, his voice echoing around the chamber. "Especially from the Orreans. I wonder what they'd pay to have you delivered to them alive."

Ethan tapped his tauros on the side to get her attention. "Next time he starts talking, charge him." He whispered. The tauros nodded, barely visible in the smoke. "Don't kill him, I need him alive."

"I wonder how much that sweet little piece of ass you've got tagging along actually knows about you?" Proton spat, venom unrestrained in his voice. "She certainly doesn't know about what happened in Orre, otherwise she would've run at the first chance she got."

Tia shot off, snorting and huffing in anger. Ethan lost sight of her in the smoke, and heard the sickening thud of flesh colliding with rock.

"Stupid animal. It makes you wonder how you managed to slaughter all those Orrean soldiers. Surely it wasn't with this lump of fat?"

Ethan heard Tia whine in pain, and immediately stumbled off into the smoke towards the sound. "You bastard, don't you dare hurt her." Ethan growled.

"Oh I'm not going to hurt her Mr. Gold." Proton called. "She won't even feel a thing."

Ethan stepped out of the smoke and gulped down a mouthful of fresh air. Proton was standing over a prone tauros, blood dripping from the sword in his hand. A deep gash along the pokemon's flank was seeping bright red blood onto the floor. Ethan raised his own sword and charged, fire in his eyes.

Proton parried the blow easily, disarming Ethan grabbing hold of him. Proton brought his knee up, ramming it into Ethan's groin and throwing him to the floor. He stepped backwards, avoiding the diving Eon. Proton stepped back and released a machoke that immediately launched itself at Eon.

Eon wasted no time, immediately rocketing out of reach while screaming telepathic insults. The machoke charged after him, swinging its massive fists angrily. Eon darted in, slashing with razor sharp talons. The xatu flew back out of reach, having left a row of bloody furrows along the machoke's arm.

Ethan struggled back to his feet, retrieving his sword from the ground. He swung madly at the Rocket, finding only air with his blows. Ethan changed tactics, thrusting his blade at Proton's chest. The Rocket deflected his blade into the dirt and went on the offensive. Ethan scrambled backwards, desperately defending against Proton's blows.

The chamber was once again filled with the sound of an explosion. Once again, Ethan was showered by the meaty chunks of pokemon. Proton let up in his attack, drawing back and covering his ears to protect his hearing. The noise of the explosion faded, giving way to the sounds of the brawling pokemon. Once again, Ethan found himself barely able to defend himself from the Rocket's vicious assault.

Proton feigned a slash towards Ethan's neck, then lashed out with his foot. Ethan fell back, the wind driven from his lungs. Proton smirked at him and kicked Ethan's sword away. "Tell me…" Proton started. He stomped on Ethan's sword hand, the snapping bones emitted a sickening crunch. "How long will that take to heal?" He drew back his foot and slammed it into Ethan's elbow. "Oh dear me!" Proton gasped. "Your arm might never be the same again." His face twisted into a mask of murderous glee.

Proton raised his arm to strike the killing blow. The second koffing exploded on the edge of the smoke, bowling him over with the shockwave. Proton stumbled back to his feet, only to see his machoke fall to the ground lifeless, it's mind fried by Eon's powers. The Rocket Executive cursed loudly, and dashed from the chamber.

Ethan sat up and winced. His arm hung limply at his side. Eon landed softly beside him, looking at Ethan's arm with veiled concern. Ethan pulled Tia's ball off his chest and recalled the tauros. He replaced the ball with Torch's and recalled the cyndaquil as well. He looked at Eon and raised an eyebrow. "You done being a murderous psychopath?"

The xatu cocked his head at Ethan. "Perhaps." He prodded Ethan's injured arm, bringing out a grunt of pain. "So fragile… Makes me wonder how your species has survived this long."

Ethan sighed. "Can you just teleport us back to Azalea?" He asked.

"You would like that, wouldn't you?" Eon asked, voice dripping with sarcasm. Ethan's face remained a blank mask. "Fine." Eon spat. "Grab my leg, but I want something for this migraine when we get back."

Ethan nodded. "Of course."

Eon looked at him sideways. "You say that every time."


Ash yawned loudly, startling pikachu awake. The electric mouse looked at him with annoyance and curled back up on Ash's lap. Ash scratched the back of pikachu's head, smiling softly. "Hey Gary." He called, adjusting himself on the bed.

The boy on the floor looked up from the book on his lap. "What?" He asked, voice tinged with annoyance.

"Did Brock say when he was coming back?" Ash asked. "We've been sitting in this room for days."

"You know why we can't leave Ash." Gary said. "We've had this conversation several times."

Ash flopped backwards, startling pikachu again. The pokemon jumped off his lap and onto the floor, looking for a more comfortable spot to sleep. "You're right." He sighed. "I'm just bored."

"Then go bother the nurse or something." He went back to his book, barely giving Ash a glance. "I'm busy here."

"What're you reading?" Ash asked.

Gary sighed. "For the third time, I'm attempting to read The Myths and Mysteries of the KanJo Region."

"And what's it about?" Ash asked, clearly enjoying Gary's annoyance.

Gary looked up at Ash. "Exactly what the title says." He deadpanned.

There was silence between the two, before Ash broke the silence.

"I'm bored."

Gary stood up, tossing his book aside. He stormed over to the door and ripped it open. "Get out." He ordered.

Ash groaned and pushed himself to his feet. "Really? I was just kidding." Ash complained.

"I don't give a fuck. You're annoying." Gary shot back.

Ash stepped out in the hall, and whirled around to face Gary. "Have fun with your book then."

Gary froze and the colour drained from his face. He pulled Ash back into the room, ignoring the boy's protests. He slammed the door and braced his shoulder against it. The doorframe shook violently, cracks spreading down the wood. Gary braced himself more firmly against the door. "Find a way out now!" He shouted at Ash.

Ash leapt into action, not questioning Gary in the slightest. "Pikachu, take care of anything that comes through that door!" He ordered. The mouse nodded and planted it's feet defiantly. Ash's eyes raked over the room, falling on the small window on the wall opposite the door. He frantically pounded on the frame, attempting to dislodge the window.

The door shook again, splintering even farther. Gary realized the door was about to give and dove out of the way. The door exploded inwards, showering the room with wooden shrapnel. A fat pink blob stepped into the room, tongue flopping out of a mouth that was curled into an oblivious smile.

A bolt of lightning surged across the room, striking the centre of the blob. It recoiled from the electricity and swung its tongue wildly across the room. Pikachu easily jumped over the tongue and launched another barrage of electricity.

Gary scrambled to his feet and released Sergei. Pointing towards the window, he shouted an order. "Knock that window out of the frame!"

The wartortle bounded across the tiny room, pausing only to launch a blast of pressurized water at the attacking pokemon. The wartortle leapt into the window, smashing the glass with ease. It kicked the shards of glass out of the way, clearing enough room for the boys to climb through.

Gary didn't waste any time, diving out the second floor window and landing heavily on the ground. He clambered to his feet and released Sawyer, letting the pidgeotto take off into the air. Sergei jumped out of the room after him, landing with an audible thud.

Ash was next, screaming for pikachu to follow. No sooner had Ash landed on the ground, than pikachu leapt out after him, crashing into its trainer's back and knocking the pair to the dirt.

Gary was hauling him back to his feet in seconds. "We have to get to the gym!" He shouted, taking off like a rocket down the street, Sergei hot on his trail.

Ash took off after him, pikachu in tow. "What're we running from?" He shouted after Gary.

"The crazy Rocket bitch from Mt Moon!" Gary yelled back. "She set a fucking lickitung on us!"

"What's a lickitung?" Ash asked, looking over his shoulder.

Gary veered off the street, dashing into an alleyway. He stopped running, bending over with his hands on his knees, panting heavily. He looked up at Ash, who was leaning on the building to catch his breath. "That pink thing was a lickitung." He paused, breathing heavily. "It's tongue is coated in extremely powerful natural anesthetics. Whatever you do, don't let it lick you. You'll pass out in seconds."

Ash stood up, walking towards the other end of the alley. "Come on, we gotta get to the gym. Brock and Daisy have to help us."

Gary straightened up, motioning for Sergei to follow him. The wartortle waddled after his trainer, nervously glancing over its shoulder every few steps. Sawyer swooped by, startling Gary for a moment.

Gary caught up to Ash, the other boy having stopped at the edge of the alley. Ash looked at him, then out into the street. "Ready for this?" He asked.

Gary nodded and stepped out onto the street after Ash. They dashed down the street, continuing their way towards the gym.


"I've set the bones in his wrist as best as I can. Same with his upper arm. However I can't be sure that they'll heal properly, even with his arm in a cast." The doctor droned, relaying the information to Lyra. "The bones above his elbow in particular were damaged beyond my ability to repair. The moment you get to Goldenrod, I would suggest taking him to the best physician you can find."

Lyra nodded and looked away from the doctor, not wanting to make eye contact. She sighed and leaned back in her chair, massaging her temples.

Ethan had appeared unconscious in the courtyard of Bugsy's gym. Eon had teleported the both of them in, screaming in everyone's mind to bring a medic. It had taken a full day for Bugsy's only human doctor Bugsy could find to finish his work, and even then Lyra wasn't sure if it was enough.

Ethan's tauros had also been injured, a deep cut down its left flank that Lyra had been assured would heal quickly. Eon had refused to return to his ball, telling Lyra that he required meditation and rest outside of his ball. The last time Lyra had seen the bird, it was sitting in the courtyard with both eyes closed.

The doctor speaking brought Lyra back to the present. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" She asked nervously.

The doctor sighed and started over. "As I was saying, I wouldn't normally advise moving him so soon, but the sooner he gets to Goldenrod the better. Still, you mustn't let him overly exert himself." The doctor sighed. "Even traveling too hard could cause permanent damage to his arm."

Lyra nodded and thanked the doctor. "Is there anything else?" She asked.

The doctor shook his head and began collecting his things. He paused for a moment, to look down at the unconscious Ethan. "The vileplume extract I gave him should wear off within the hour. He will likely be confused, so please be gentle with him."

"Of course doctor." Lyra answered. "Do you need me to show you the way out?"

The doctor smiled. "No, I'm fine thank you. I've been here enough times that I know the way out." He picked up his bag and walked out of the room, leaving Lyra alone with Ethan.


"Fuck!" Gary swore, ducking back behind the building he and Ash were hiding behind. "They're just waiting for us." He looked at Ash, frowning. "The red haired bitch and her partner are both there, same with the persian."

"So that's why nobody was chasing us. They knew where we'd be going." Ash said.

Gary nodded, gritting his teeth. "They just had to wait and we'd come to them."

Ash frowned and fingered the second ball that sat on his belt. "So what do we do?" He asked.

Gary's look of concern split into a grin. "You still have that onix, right?" He asked.

Ash nodded.

"Then I say we get Brock's attention."


"So?" Brock asked, leaning over a map of the city. "When do we make our move?"

Daisy frowned and tore herself away from the stack of troop reports on her table. "I don't want to risk anything while those agents are still in the city."

Brock nodded, returning to the map. "They're probably here searching for me." He said absentmindedly. "I'd bet that they've searched Saffron, and had a roadblock to the east the entire time. That would only leave two options to me. Since no sane person would try to attempt the wilds between here and Celadon, it makes sense that they'd be looking for me here."

Daisy nodded. "Regardless, I'll feel safer once they've left. I don't know if any of my trainers could take them on in a straight fight."

Brock smirked knowingly. "That's the problem my lady. You never take a Rocket agent on in a straight fight."

Daisy smiled and nodded. "You're probably right my lord. Even still…" She trailed off into silence.

The silence was broken by a massive roar of anger, and the sounds of two large pokemon launching themselves at each other.

Brock froze, staring at Daisy with his jaw dropped.

She leapt into action immediately. "Get down there and contain that battle." She ordered. "I'll rally my men and get word out to my bannermen." She dashed out of the room, sprinting down the hallway away from the battle.

Brock leapt up, dashing after her. "Send a messenger pidgeotto to Pewter! They can have men here in less than two weeks!" He called after her.

She waved over her shoulder in acknowledgment. Brock turned, heard another roar and ran off towards the sound of battle.


Carris swung her massive bladed tail, hammering it down on the angry machamp that nimbly dodged the blow. She roared in annoyance and slid her tail along the ground, slamming into the beast's side. The machamp crashed through the front of a bakery, knocking bricks flying with its impact. A woman dashed out of the ruined storefront, barely avoiding the torrent of dragonfire that washed over it.

The machamp launched itself out of the storefront, ignoring the dragonfire that washed over it. It lowered a shoulder and charged into Carris. The onix recoiled at surprising speed for her size, and halted the machamp's charge with a swing of her tail. Once again, the machamp flew backwards, crashing into another store. Carris didn't bother with the dragonfire, instead choosing to use her head as a battering ram and crush the machamp.

The machamp blocked her head, barely holding off the onix's massive strength. Carris was undeterred, simply opening her jaws and blasting the machamp with dragonfire. The machamp roared in pain, skin bubbling under the flames. It lashed out, grabbed hold of Carris' head and brought it into a submission hold. The onix rolled, crashing through a city block and out of sight.

Ash ordered pikachu forward, blocking the Rocket agents' attempt to take advantage of the onix's absence. Sergei and Sawyer joined the electric mouse, staring down Jessie ad James with unbridled fury.

James released a victreebell that stared down at them, it's leaves still bearing the signs of the beating it took from Jay's growlithe. Jessie's lickitung stepped forward, never losing the oblivious grin it wore. Her arbok joined the pair of pokemon, hissing and glaring down at the boys.

All was silent for a moment, save for the sounds of Carris and the machamp fighting in the distance. Then the Rockets' pokemon charged, and all hell broke loose.


And so, one story arc has drawn to a close. The slowpoke well arc took longer than I would've liked, but was still necessary to introduce a pair of plot lines that won't come into play until later. Cheers to those who figured out who I introduced in the last two chapters. Ethan's story arc so far has been extremely action heavy. I'm not going to remove all the action, but for the next little bit the story is gonna be focusing on developing the Johto characters and their relationships with each other. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, please follow/favourite/ review to let me know how you're enjoying the story so far. Sqcircles out!