Pokemon: You're the Monster

by robert.williamstn

What if we didn't train Pokemon to fight our battles for us but instead harvested that power to use in hand-to-hand combat between men? Here is the original storyline retold with that notion in mind and some twists as well. With protagonist Red form the video games, we see Kanto through his eyes and a cast of other folks. New chapters should be up every Tuesday!

13. Saffron City 2 (Battle)

22

And for the next several days we trained. We spent time at the Saffron City Gym in the west part of town fighting Sabrina's students with moves they learned primarily from Psychic Pokémon. I say primarily Psychic because I learned the hard way that some have other abilities as well. A couple of the trainers specialized in the skills of Slowpoke and Slowbro which are part Psychic and part Water.

Slowpoke are one of the animals I've seen on TV that don't come across all that impressive. A dumpy, pink animal that sits by the sea and eats fish or sleeps all day isn't all that cool to me, but they can still pack a wallop when they use Water Gun or Confusion on a predator. Now should a certain clam creature called Shellder attach to a Slowpoke tail, the two merge into new evolution called Slowbro which is bigger and more powerful.

The trainer I fought today had Slowbro skills which allowed him to wash out my Charmeleon skill quite easily and then damage many more of my other skills before I stopped him with my Scyther Skill. With several strikes of the Fury Cutter move, I finally beat him but just barely.

"Good match, Red!"

The man bows to me, and I return the bow.

"Hey Red," Green says between panting. "Want to take a break then head to the old gym?"

"Sure Green, mix it up. Sounds nice!"

We both get into recovery beds to refresh our broken skills and sore muscles before grabbing some lunch at a food truck. After a nice meal and some time to walk off the food, we head east across town to the other gym.

Apparently before Sabrina came to town and recruited Psychic students, the Saffron Gym once specialized as a Fighting type gym under a man named Kolchi Augus. Unfortunately he died during the attack by Team Rocket, and many of his students were left without a sensei. Despite the hardship of losing such a friend and role model however they kept the facility up and running for young trainers like us to come and fight. Now instead of the Saffron City Gym the trainers refer to it simply as the Fighting Dojo.

We're now heading to the Dojo for the fourth time this week. It's getting to the point that I know my way around town like I do Pallet despite it being 5x the size of my home town! Sometimes the media or fans run up to us, but we have learned how to brush them off politely and efficiently by now. People are always watching our every move, and I make a mental notes to not pick my nose or say something careless in public, but I'm slowly but surely getting used to this life. It's not so bad. You just have to be ready for people to show up sometimes and ask you random things.

"Red, I saw that you and Green have been raising your Skill levels day and night. The last report was that in a just over a month now you have brought all of your skills up to level 30! Is this correct for both of you?"

But this guy is wrong. Our Skills Levels are more in the mid 30's actually. Actually much to our delight, we have experienced some Skill Evolutions with huge surges in power as well as learned new moves. Green's starter Skill finally reached its final form, Venusaur causing her to grow slightly stronger arms and legs though I assured her she didn't look less beautiful. A Venusaur is similar to Ivysaur but the growing flower on its back has fully bloomed not to mention that the size of Venusaur is taller than the average man and immensely heavier. With the power of that beast coursing through her veins, Green can harness solar energy allowing her to use a devastating energy beam called Solar Beam. It takes time to charge but put down just about any fighter no matter how tough.

I was so fortunate yesterday to witness my Charmeleon Skill finally transform into a Charizard which is about as tall as a man but much bigger and has the added benefit of wings! The flying dragon creature should be able to Fly and do winged strikes, but I have had trouble figuring out how to get off the ground and use said moves. I just know that my base level stats went way up, and with Charizard's Skill in my body, I feel stronger and faster than before. I can't wait to see what I can do with this Skill once I get more practice. But first I have to deal with these people.

"What did you say 30? Well actually it's more like 36, but…"

"AMAZING!"

The reporter acts like she might have a heart attack, and it's all I can do to not roll my eyes at her with the camera pointed at us. The group following us has appeared seemingly out of nowhere, but if we keep the conversation short they will eventually go on about their day.

"Isn't that like a record or something?"

"Yeah, it took me a month to train one Skill to level 30! UNFAIR!"

"That has to be hard on your body!"

"It's your Skillfinders right? Man, I want one just like you guys have!"

I realize that telling them our levels may be inappropriate now, but I've already said it.

"Oh, there's the Dojo!" Green blurts out. "OK everyone, we will see you later!"

Just as I recognize that we are back at the old gym, Green grabs my hand and pulls me in the door. I try to force a smile and wave at the crowd before stumbling in the door behind her. Green lets out a small groan once the door closes behind us and the crowd starts to disband.

"Ugh, I never thought having people like me would be so annoying!"

"No kidding!"

"Red, you have to stop talking to them. It only makes it worse."

"I know. Sorry!"

"It's OK. Love you."

"And I love you!"

She says it as if to reassure me, but she doesn't have to. We have gotten used to the "love" word over the last two week. We've actually had some nights together to talk and go out to eat without fighting bad guys for a change. It's been great! In fact I've never felt better than this week. We've spent our time training beside by day, exploring the town by night, and usually having a make out session or two when we get a chance.

"Well hey there, guys! Back for more?"

We're greeted at the door by Mike, one of the Dojo's students. He is similar in height and weight to me though he has blonde hair and green eyes compared to my black hair and black eyes. Mike has on a white gi with a purple belt around his waist to signify his training. He is well studied in Karate but he's not as good at Monster Training as me, and a little behind his senior trainers whom we'll be fighting today.

"So who's fighting who?"

"Well last time I fought with Hideki…maybe Hitoshi this time? That OK, Green?"

"Go ahead Red! I'll take on Hideki this time."

"You're in luck! They're both free! I'll go tell them you're here."

Mike walks us down the hallway to the main room with tall ceilings and a half dozen large mats for people to practice on. To my left is a see-through wall separating this room from the fitness center and its many weight benches and exercise machines. To my right are some chairs and tables holding medical supplies and snacks. Hideki and Hitoshi wait for us as well as some other fighters in the center of the room all wearing different colored gis and belts. Most of them wear a white gi with yellow belts though Hideki and Hitoshi each wear a blue gi with a black belt.

Hideki and Hitoshi have spent the last several years under Kolchi perfecting separate but equally powerful fighting moves. They've even modified their appearance to look more physically like their favorite Pokémon. Hideki, a tall and slender bald man with dark skin has trained in Karate as well as Taekwondo. This has allowed him to add push back power to his Hitmonlee Skill moves which centers on kicking strikes.

In a similar fashion, Hitoshi has mastered Karate as well as American Boxing giving him an edge in punches and fist strikes. The spiky haired man has harnessed the various abilities of the Hitmonchan, and he's the one I'll fight today.

Mike goes over to Hideki and Hitoshi and whispers to them. The two nod and walk toward us. Hideki motions for Green to take one mat and me to take another. We don't talk but quietly obey.

"Matte! Matte!"

Hideki instructs those training on the mats to stop and then waves them over to step off as we approach. The students nod and quickly get out of the way. They all want to watch us fight.

I look over to see Green and Hideki stand face to face on the other mat. Part of me wants to just stand by and enjoy the show. Training is so entertaining in general, but it's just an added bonus that I have this hot girlfriend fighting beside me. She has become so confident with her abilities in the last few weeks, and I love watching her use them in those tights she bought in Celadon!

"Red! Are you ready?"

"Oh! Sorry Hitoshi. Yes!"

I force my head to swivel back to my opponent and concentrate all my energy on the fight with him. We bow to one another and listen for Mike to tell us to begin.

"Hajime!"

We're cued to begin and checking a display behind Hitoshi, I notice three green dots or skills under his name just as he rushes me. Hitoshi brings his elbow up towards my face close then quickly snaps his fist at my chest and back. I dodge the attack but his next Karate Chop hits me square in the nose.

"Owwwww!"

I unconsciously grab for the hurt appendage which only allows him to deliver a quick session of strikes to my abdomen. Argh! This has to stop! I open my mouth and release a cloud of dark Smokescreen to level the playing field.

Jumping above the smoke, I spot Hitoshi and just as he sees me, I shoot Embers at him. He covers his face to protest against my attack for a few seconds then blindly jumps up in the air and swats at me like I'm a giant mosquito. Though he fails to touch me, the move makes me jump back and throws off my balance.

As the smoke starts to clear, Hitoshi sprints toward me hoping to get the drop on me. I have just enough time to shoot one last Ember at him before he makes it to me. He pauses in his tracks covering his face giving to jump forward and clap my hands together with a loud boom. A shattering gust of wind burst from the impact knocking him back.

Crack!

Hitoshi takes a step back to recover as he transitions to his next Skill which allows me to run at him with a Scratch. I land the first one, but he grabs my arm on the second move and flings me to the ground.

Crack!

I transition over to my Gyrados Skill while he has me pinned to floor face down with my arm behind my back. Spinning around I Bite his arm getting him to release me from his grip only to have him grab my head and slam me down once more on my face. Ow! This Close Combat nonsense is making me look bad and hurts my pride as well as my head. Ow, my head!

In my mind, I see an angry Gyrados moving its body violently against the water and crashing into ships. I concentrate on the rage and power of Gyrados and begin to Thrash back and forth myself. Collapsing my body to the ground then bursting straight up into Hitoshi's arm, I feel him lose his footing. On my toes now, I burst with all of my energy straight into Hotoshi's chest with my right shoulder making him fall back to his knees. With one last fit of power, I jump up and come down with both fists to his head.

Crack!

The beauty of Thrash is that my body attacks without much thought and without holding back, but there is a cost. After I hit him one last time, I feel like I'm back on the S.S. Anne and have seasickness and a splitting headache. I want to lay my head down and can't move as I watch Hitoshi get back to his feet. Ah, move Red! Move! I fall down to my knees hard, but make body stand back up. In a daze, I witness him jump high into the sky then dive towards me with his right fist aimed for my head. Oh no!

Booooooom!

Crack!

After a few seconds, I recognize I'm lying on my back. A loud ringing noise makes it hard to orient myself to what is going on. Owwwww! After a few seconds a delayed but heavy throbbing starts in my left temple. Oh the throbbing hurts! Hitoshi pauses to smile at me and hold up his fist like a trophy.

"I call it the Comet Punch! You're the first person I've used it on in a while."

"Goooo…dy for me…"

I'm impressed, but can't lose this fight.

Switching to the Nidorino Skill, I pull my arms back and start making my trusty Poisonstings in my palms. Hitoshi pulls back his right fist and grits his teeth as his eyes flicker a light blue. What's he going to do now?

I fling my arms forward launching a barrage of needles at him. Hitoshi winces as some of Poisonstings dig into his neck and stumbles backward nearly falling down. As I bring my arms back to form more needles, he flings his right arm forward.

BAM!

His fist hooks me right in the chest with a freezing touch and knocks me flat on my butt. Ice Punch! But just as I process the first attack, he plants a second one on my face knocking me down on my back with a good thud.

"Owwwww!"

Crack!

I transition to my Scyther Skill and get back to my feet, but before I can form a move, Hitoshi strikes again. This time his eyes flicker red. I smell the flames of his Fire Punch as he hits me in the gut!

Oooof!

I try to catch my bearings, but he strikes me once more!

Crack!

Now the odds are finally even. One to one. Who's it going to be?

I only have my Haunter Skill left and know that Ghost moves don't work on Normal Skills, but that works in the reverse as well. I just happen to know some Psychic moves thanks to Haunter's mixed abilities and that should give me the advantage I need to turn this around if I only do this right. Don't lose now Red!

Hitoshi not knowing what Skill I have, ignorantly jumps into the sky to perform his favorite attack, the Comet Punch. I raise my hands up and concentrate on the thought of putting one to sleep then make a clap. The move fails to my disappointment, but it's Hitoshi who is truly disturbed when he dives toward me and glides right through me. Like running through fog into a brick wall, he lands hard on his fist. I see Hitsohi flinch and pull the hand back to his body. Lucky for him, we weren't fighting on the street or that would have hurt a lot more!

"Argh! Ghost type huh? OK then, take this!"

He pulls his busted hand up to his collar as if he were holding an infant then draws back his left hand. His eyes flicker light blue and the air around gets a little colder. Ice punch again! I concentrate and clap my hands as before.

This time Hitoshi stops mid swing and freezes in place. Like a statue he doesn't flinch or even blink.

"Now you may go to sleep."

I say the key phrase, and Hitoshi passes out on the mat. The Hypnosis move worked! As he lays there dormant, I focus my mind on things that Hitoshi may have been thinking. After a few moments, I begin to see visions in my head of his old mentor Kolchi.

The dark-haired, brawny man shows Hitoshi and Hideki how to throw punches and kicks on him while blocking and countering them both at the same time. What a pro! They both rush him, but Kolchi dives between them at the right moment then turns around knocks them both into one another. The two laugh knowing they've been duped once more by their teacher. A few seconds more and the vision starts to get fuzzy.

I blink and in place of Kolchi, I see a glowing purple fruit like a plum floating in the air. Stepping forward, I reach out and take the fruit then bite into it. Oh it's sweet! As I take eat the fruit, Hitoshi grimaces and rolls around on the ground as if having a bad dream.

Crack!

And with that, I have used Dream Eater. How weird! Looking to the wall, I see Hotoshi's last green dot disappear. I win!

Looking over to the other mat, I watch as Hideki plants a strike on Green's hip then uses the moment to spin around for another kick. The Rolling Kick! He plants a second strike on her side but as he goes for another rotation, Green is able to reach out her hand and project some pink light in his direction. I watch as the Psychic move overwhelms his body making Hideki grab as his head like it might bust open at any moment.

Crack!

He falls to his knees and struggles to catch his breath, and Green stands still with both her fists raised also out breath. The last green dot disappears from the wall behind Hideki. Green just beat Hideki as well! Wow!

"Great job Green!" I yell.

She takes a minute to slow down her panting before turning to look at me. For a second she seems irritated with me, but when she finally smiles I know all is well. Man we are beat!

"Thanks! You, too!"

"What move was that?"

"Ah, that's Psybeam...from my Butterfree Skill."

"Nice!"

After the match, the students help the four of us all get to recovery beds then bring us snacks to eat with cold waters to drink. We sit and laugh together like old friends enjoying time together. After we feel restored and confident, we decide to go back to the Gym. It's time to face Sabrina.

23

After several minutes, I come out on top in the battle with Sabrina! It's been a long time coming, but at last I have the Marsh Belt. It took me several tries to beat all four of her Skills, but this time I came out on top thanks to a type advantage I received from using Haunter and Scyther. Unfortunately despite my best efforts, my Gyrados, Nidorino, and Charizard Skill always did some damage but also cracked in battle. I blame this largely in part on the fact she uses an Alakazam Skills which gives her the ability to use Recover. Sabrina simply claps her hands and some of her Skills stamina and her energy is restored making me have to fight her longer and longer each time. She also likes to use Psywave, the move used on us in the restaurant earlier, and I don't know any way to dodge that kind of attack. At least my Scyther and Haunter Skill can endure such an attack so that I can stay in the fight. Green unfortunately hasn't been as lucky.

Going right before me, she started out strong taking down two of Sabrina's Skills pretty quickly. However Green has one Skill with type advantage, Butterfree, that doesn't have Bug type moves. This made it impossible for her to get past two Skills the last few times, and this round she beat the third Skill but then quickly lost to Sabrina's last Skill. I almost feel like I cheated knowing that type advantage allowed me to win where Green didn't despite our training together. That being said, she does know several status changing moves that could work in her favor if only she got it just right. Poisonpowder and Sleep Powder or Sing and Confusion are all moves that don't do much damage but definitely throw the opponent off, and that is all Green needs to turn things around.

"Well Red, I just want you to know I'm happy for you. I'll catch up with you sometime this year."

"Ah cheer up, Green! You are training at a rate much faster than the average trainer and actually getting much stronger. I've seen it! You just have to get a system going with some of your moves, and you'll beat her. You went from two Skills to Three today, and I only barely beat her myself. You're so close!"

"Yeah, but let's be honest. You're getting stronger than me, and better at thinking like a fighter than me. You're even gaining some muscle your arms and starting to look like a real fighter. I'm just….I'm just…"

"Just amazing! Hey, I may have gained some teeny muscles in my arms, but you have gained some definition in your arms and legs. It was distracting me at the Dojo earlier today. I kept trying to stare."

"Red!"

She blushes and tries to cover my mouth so I can't say anymore. I have to admit that I'm attracted to Green physically and keeping my hands off of her has been a challenge. Green doesn't bring it up, but I think sometimes when we're kissing, and she "has to go right to sleep" she is trying to avoid escalating the situation which I have to agree with after the fact at least. I know several friends that would have probably have slept together by now, and there is no denying the idea has crossed my mind, but I guess Green and I are old fashioned. I'll need to talk with Mom soon about all of this come to think of it. We haven't gone into detail, but I think we're both hoping to be with each other long term, and I haven't talked to anyone about how or when to propose to a girl before!

Green looks at me half annoyed and half puzzled. My brain has wondered off somewhere else, so I try to bring it back.

"Sorry…I…I don't mean to be inappropriate. It is how I feel though. I think you're the most attractive girl in the world, and somehow you ended up dating me so I have to compliment ya know!"

"Red! Ha ha…OK, but please stop the flattering…"

"I'm not done! You are beautiful girl, but you are also passionate and committed. I know how you think, and I know this is important to you. You are a great Monster Trainer. You're so close to getting this Marsh Belt! You're not lacking anything, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"You're sweet. Thank you," she says with a kiss.

Green tries to step back from me, but I pull her in close and kiss her deeply and hold her as tight as I can. Green kisses back then settles her body against mine and sighs. Good! She's starting to relax.

"OK, let's take a break and go walk for a minute then I'll come back again…if that's OK with you Sabrina."

"OK with me Green. I'll be here," Sabrina says giving a somewhat uncharacteristic smile. Is she starting to be nice to us?

"Great! OK let's go to Silph Co. They used to be an arms manufacturer and then they changed to making medical supplies after the war…"

"You want to look at medical supplies?"

"No, you didn't let me finish!"

"Oh, sorry."

"They actually expanded the building and now the top floors of the building are all department stores!"

"Shopping! I should have known. Well that sounds…"

"RED! GREEN!"

Turning back to the door of the Saffron City Gym, we see the ever bubbly Daisy waving at us in a purple dress. Seeing her standing in the heat of the sun, her curly brown hair flopping in the breeze from the open door, I found myself smiling and waving back then quickly suppressing my smile.

Daisy is a pretty girl and still makes me act nervous even though I don't have feelings for her like I do for Green. Ugh! I just don't want to make Green worry. She and I have talked about the visions and her concerns about me being faithful to her. I know she believes me, but I have to make sure my body language doesn't look suspicious either. I look over at Green, but she doesn't seem bothered or concerned at all and simply returns a friendly wave.

Daisy makes her way across the gym like she has been here a hundred times before while ignoring the stares and whispers of the other trainers. I can't help but notice that the guys in the room look they are in some sort of stupor while the girls, Sabrina included, have angry scowls on their faces. Daisy walks up to us and gives us each a warm hug before going on.

"How is your training going?"

"It's actually going quite well! I just got my fifth Belt," I say holding up Purple belt with a Golden Coin on the side. "…and I think Green will probably get hers pretty soon."

"Oh that's wonderful, Red! Green, I'm so happy to see a girl out here training, getting strong, and showing these boys that you can't get pushed around."

"Oh…sure."

"Ha. Yes, girl power!"

"Girl…uh…hey Daisy, what brings you out here to see us? Did Yellow bring you? Is he here?" Green says looking around the Gym.

"No, actually though, that is part of the reason I'm here! OH! I'M SO EXCITED!"

"What?"

"What is it? How did you get here?"

"I…I FLEW!"

"You flew?"

"Yes, Yellow showed me what Skill to get and then taught me how to Fly! I can Fly guys! I can go…" she motions with her hands, "swoosh through the sky."

"Oh cool!"

"No way!"

"Yes way! Oh, and this is my idea. Well Yellow and I have gotten a house…"

"A house?"

"You bought a house to live in together? I don't understand."

I already knew that Daisy and Yellow were a secret affair and have "been together" though I didn't know the next move was to "move" in together. Looking over at Green, she raises her eyebrows at me, and I know her shock is equal to mine. I couldn't imagine dating someone like Green and keeping it a secret. Moving in with her with telling people is that idea to the next level. But I'm happy to hear from Daisy, and want to see why she's here.

"It's true, Green. We, though mostly Yellow, put some money down on a house just west of Celadon City. Oh, it's beautiful! Of course we haven't told Grandfather yet, but we did tell Blue, and Blue…well you know how my brother is."

"Yes, you told him then?"

"Yes, I ran into him and his girlfriend…my friend…"

"Summer! Yeah, how are…"

"OK, so you know then…"

"Uh…"

Green looks at me, and neither us want to say anything hurtful. Her best friend was using a fake name and secretly stalking her family to give secrets to Team Rocket. Even if Summer was forced into the job, and ultimately turned things around, it's got to be awkward to go back to being friends.

"It's OK! Summer and I have talked. I…think at first I was just mad, but once Yellow told me everything, I just couldn't be mad at her. Grandfather wanted us to have nothing to with her though. I was actually surprised at him. What's he got to hide you know? Anyway, Grandfather doesn't know that Summer and I are still friends or that Blue is…"

"Dating her?"

"Weird huh? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them actually. It's just kind of weird. Almost as weird as that time with the cruise…I mean… ha ha. You know what I mean."

Green's face tightens in several places and turns a slight shade of pink as she says, "We know."

"Well good. I'm glad we're all caught up. You know Red, you really should keep up with your mother more. Both your mothers ask me about you two all the time."

"Wait what? You hang out with our moms?" Green asks.

"Oh yes, Green! You guys are like the only thing worth talking about in Pallet Town. We get together every other night now it seems and talk about you. Of course now I go back to my own house at night, but I used to spend the night over at Mrs. Hayashi's or Mrs. Himura's depending on who was the loneliest. We love watching TV and making cookies together!"

This is too weird! I kind of just want for Daisy to leave now. I can't believe she's been staying in my house. The look on Green's face tells me she isn't too thrilled either.

"OH right! I almost forgot why I came here! Did you guys want to come to my place and learn how to Fly?"

"Huh? Really?"

"Yeah, my treat?"

"You'd be training us to Fly?" Green asks.

"Sure would! Do you guys have Flying type Skills? We could go now!"

"That sounds awesome! I have this Charizard Skill and haven't figured out how to stay in the air that long. Maybe this is what I need."

"Great! What about you Green?"

"Uh.. I don't think that my Butterfree Skill can be used for flight, and I was just about to take a break and…"

"Get that belt!" I say for her. Green looks at me as if holding her breath.

"Sorry Daisy, we might have to stay here for now. Green is close to winning this time!"

"Oh, well I mean I can wait…"

"No…" Green cuts her off, "Red, why don't you go ahead and go train now. I think that would be best."

"Really? I'd rather wait for you instead of going without you."

"I'll be fine! You go ahead and train in Flying with Daisy then come back to me OK. I focus on training better when you aren't around you know."

"I mean if that's what you really want."

Green simply nods and forces a smile at Daisy. Is this a test or something? Maybe she needs time alone?

"It's OK Red. Please go ahead and go. You have a chance to learn how to Fly. You have to go!"

"But I can wait for you. I'm not in any hurry."

Green brings her body against mine and whispers in my ears.

"It's OK. I need to stay here and train, and…I trust you."

"OK…I'll be back soon. Love you!"

"Love you!"

We kiss, and I squeeze Green's hand tightly before letting go and giving a nod. Her eyes look almost teary as I step away, but she quickly smiles and waves her hands queuing me to go ahead and not dawdle.

"OK Red! You ready?"

"Yes, let's go!"

We head out the door, and Daisy wraps an arm around me from the side. I feel a sudden pressure course through her body, like electricity, then with a bound we burst off our feet into the sky.

"WHOA!"

"It's OK Red! I have a hold of you, just don't look straight down and try to hold on to me."

"Oh...OK!"

I wrap my left arm around Daisy's waist and squeeze her hip bone as if doing so might actually push me up a little higher. The idea that Daisy who is not an experienced trainer or even an experienced flyer to my knowledge and is holding me several feet in the air with one hand just makes me feel quite terrified! Terrified but also excited!

I can't put into words the rush, sensation that one gets flying through the air. Crossing Saffron City and passing buildings and birds is like nothing I've ever experienced in life before. To my right I happen to look up and see a tall building in the center of town with "Silph Co." written on the side in bold letters. Looking in the glass windows, I can people running around desks with boxes and metal parts in their hands like a race is happening. One of the workers stops in place and stares right at me. Giving him a wave, he slowly waves back and smiles.

"Ha ha, saw that! Admit it! You're impressed!"

"I am, Daisy! I totally am!"

"Yellow taught me last week, and I have been getting this path down for the past several days. A bit of advice, don't try to Fly somewhere you haven't been to before! If you thought getting lost on foot was bad, flying is much worse. I tried to visit Fuchsia City when Yellow was gone because I wanted to check in on Blue and ended up in the sea! I don't even know how. I was lucky though because a man happened to be swimming towards Cinnabar Island and guided me safely back to shore!"

"Oh my gosh! I'm glad you're OK. How is Blue by the way?"

"Heh...who knows? I mean I tried to find him in Fuchsia City, but he dodged me for most of a day that I was there as if I had inconvenienced him or something. I mainly spent my time there catching up with Summer. That part was nice at least. You know she really likes him, but he is…"

"He's Blue!"

"Yes, he is! Ha, you know the Oak's so well."

After sharing a good laugh with Daisy, I look down below to see the passing of trees and buildings. We have passed Saffron City and are now coasting above Celadon. What took me a few painful minutes to run a few days back took only seconds in flight just now. I have to get this mode of travel down to get to places in a hurry!

I smile and wave at a few people below on the streets as we pass the edge of Celadon City and another gate house to the far west. I have never been to this part of town and as we cross the roof of the gate house, I'm greeted by the sight of bicycles. Lots and lots of bicycles!

"Cool huh?"

"What is that, Daisy?"

"This is Katakana Trail! It's composed of three routes including 16, 17, and 18, and it connects Celadon City in the north to Fuchsia City in the south. Some people call it the Bike Trail or Cycling Road. Whatever! The terrain is quite steep and hard to navigate on foot, but Mashmo Cohen had bike trails developed for people to easily travel up and down the hills more smoothly."

"Ah man, that sounds intense! I need to get me a bike and ride down there sometime."

"Totally...oh here we are here!"

Looking just north of Katakana Trail and behind a few rows of trees sits a small brown cottage all by itself. The home is mostly wood on top with stone around the base. Large windows cover the front of the building and there is a pointed roof and tall chimney on the top.

We land in the front yard of the home Yellow and Summer have to themselves and take the scent of the trees. It's only a moment of rest then Summer starts asking me to try and take off from the ground myself. For the next several minutes I manage to jump in place while she levitates casually into a space nearly twenty feet above her roof.

"Red, you're trying to feel the power burst out from your legs! That is how jumping works. Flying comes from total power of the body and for birds it comes from the weight and thrust of the wings."

"I don't disagree, but I don't have wings like a Charizard or…"

"Farfetch'd. I got a Farfetch'd! I know it's a goofy duck that carries around giant onions in its bill. A little silly but silly birds can still Fly. Plus Farfetch'd are kind of cute!"

"Right!"

"Sorry, OK, you don't have wings, but you can visualize Charizard flapping his wings and the pressure propelling him off the ground right?"

"Yes!"

"OK, do that!"

And I do just as she says. I imagine the beast stretching its long body out, a flame on its tail, and smoke coming from its snout as mounts the sky.

"Good! Now here's the trick. When we Fly, we don't have wings, but we can harness the energy that our Skill has in our core and use that push us through the air. Or maybe think of it like a pull. Yes, imagine that a rope from a plane is around you and is pulling you off the ground and dragging you through the sky at a high speed."

I do just that and actually start to lift off the ground. Five feet. Ten feet. Twenty. But the problem is I can only float in place. I won't be Flying back to Saffron City like this!

"Ah man, I can get off the ground now, but this isn't flying exactly."

I continue training with Daisy for the next two hours making slight increases in elevation. Not long into my training, I get a text from Green stating she did at last get her Marsh Belt and is about to enjoy some shopping with none other than Sabrina at the Silph Co. building. I can't imagine Sabrina trying on dresses and shoes with Green, but I'm happy for them. At least they aren't here watching me struggle to jump in place.

How Daisy is able to do this but I can't is blowing my mind! She only has one Skill at her disposal and only uses it for flight. The girl that never valued Monster Training and probably the last girl that Green would want me to spend one on one time training me something is the same girl that is teaching me how to Fly.

Bzzzzt! Bzzzt! Bzzzzzt!

"Hey Red hold on, it's Yellow!"

As I try my best to bring my body slightly higher in the air, Daisy answers her phone with the biggest smile on her face. But then she hears something, and her smiles is replaced by a look of concern.

"OK, I will! Be careful! Love you!" she says putting the phone away. "Red! Please come down here!"

"What's wrong?"

But Daisy doesn't answer me as I follow her into the kitchen of her house. She reaches for a remote controller and flips on the TV. The screen lights up with a scene of panic as Alfie, Butch, and Jesse, the lieutenants from Team Rocket, run down the streets of Lavender Town pushing people out of their way. Somehow they've been released from jail!

The image switches back to the Power Plant on the far east side of Kanto being overrun by strange robots. These red and white balls look vaguely familiar to the balls used to catch Pokémon in the arcade game at Giovanni's only they have faces and are moving on their own. The security camera shows them menacingly rolling the hallways and zapping engineers! A caption below the footage reads "New Menace: Voltorb and Electrode Go Rogue!" The image flips again, and we see groups of Team Rocket Grunts running the streets of Pewter, Cerulean and Celadon throwing rocks at people while Grimer and Muk chase people in every direction.

"What is happening? This is horrible! The Gym Leaders and International Police can't be everywhere at once."

"I know. They need all the hope they can get. That's why…"

I stop talking as the TV screen switches over to the image of a tall building in the middle of Saffron City. I see the familiar bold letters of "Silph Co." People are running out the front door and down the steps hysterically in every direction. A cloud of black uniforms in the streets is forming like a blockade around the entrance to keep people out.

Bzzzt!

I pull out my phone and flip to a text from Green.

"Red! Something is happening here at the factory. People just started screaming and running away. I'll let you know what's going on."

"What?" I text back. "Get out of there!"

"I'm going to stay and help. Sabrina, too!"

I nearly drop the phone from shaking. Of all the places she had to choose to check out, why Silph Company? Couldn't she be anywhere else right now? I wish she was back in Pallet Town and safe.

"Who is it Red?"

"It's...it's Green. She's there."

"There?"

"SHE'S THERE, DAISY! SHE'S AT SILPH CO. RIGHT NOW!"

"OH NO! Um...well we can't go there. Yellow should be there or maybe someone else from the IP is..."

"Daisy, I can't wait to find out if Yellow is there or anywhere else. We have to go back to Saffron City now!"

"We can't go Red! Yellow told us to stay here where it's safe, and that's what we have to do."

"Maybe that's what you have to do, but I'm going!"

Daisy reaches out for my arm, but I move fast enough so she can't grab me. I tear open the door and stare at the sky with my fists raised to my side. I'm coming Green! I've been trying to imagine my Charizard Skill flying through the sky towards Saffron City all this time, but now all I can see is Green crying on the floor saying "Please don't leave. Don't leave me! Help! Please help!"

"I'M NOT GOING TO LEAVE YOU!" I yell towards the sky.

I can't help but feel anger at the sky for not receiving me or my skills for not yielding to me despite all this time and effort I've put into training. I try to envision my Charizard Skill once more and this time, I see the beast in my mind spring from the ground and throw its weight at the Rocket Base with full speed blowing everything up in flames. All I can see now are flames and more flames.

"RED! YOU'RE DOING IT!"

"Huh?"

Looking down at Daisy, I notice I've levitated several feet off the ground. I've gone much more this time then I've done all day. A strong pull in body like a cable holds me in place ever so gently, but I feel this strong tug to move. I give in to the tug, and like a rocket ship, I find my body soaring higher into the sky! I'm flying!

"RED! BE CAREFUL!"

"THANKS DAISY!"

I concentrate myself on the tug and look straight ahead of me towards Saffron City. Though just barely, I can see both the Celadon Shopping Center and behind it and several trees, I can see the Silph Co. building. Go!

I let my hands fall back as the tug consumes me, and I shoot forward like a ball out of cannon. The trees whizz past me, and most of what I see is merely a blur now. Down below in Celadon, I can see people running in different directions. They look so frightened! Near the center of town, I see Erika and several trainers fighting with Team Rocket. Part of me wants to stop and help, but I have to make sure Green is safe first!

Speeding past Celadon and the routes in between in a couple of minutes, I see Silph Co. dead ahead. Down below on the streets are more of Team Rocket and the students from the Fighting Dojo in all out brawl. All I can hear yelling, slamming, and the sound of glass breaking. Some more Grunts are trying to block the entrance to the factory but are meeting heavy resistance from the Psychic trainers. The students from each gym seem to be fighting well, but the enemy is not backing down either. There are so many of them!

Looking back in front of me, I can start to see into the windows of the Silph building. On most of the levels, all I can make out are empty rooms including the shops on the bottom floors, the factory warehouses on the next two, and the cubicles on the top floors, but on the very top floor, I see none other than Lt. Surge. He is fighting multiple Grunts at the same time, and as I approach the windows, he zaps several of them into Paralysis. One jumps out and grabs him from behind around the neck.

"Oh no you don't!"

I Fly up high then dive towards the glass and swing my arms forward creating a strong blast of kinetic energy. The heavy clap is my form of the Wing Attack if I can call it that at all and something I see Charizard do in my mind. To my delight, the move smashes the windows open and disorients the Grunt holding onto Surge. I Fly in and Wing Attack him again and knock him out for good.

"Sir, are you OK?"

"Red! You shouldn't be here kid! Get out now!"

Surge tries to shoo me away, but more Grunts enter the room, and we get into battle. I manage to take down three more on my own when I hear a loud noise and something appears before me. Sabrina! She must know how to Teleport or something. Whoa! I check the ground and confirm that there no tiles. She did this of her own ability.

Racking my brain, I vaguely remember that Blue got an Abra Skill which he stated only knew how to Teleport. How cool it would be to use that in this situation! She maneuvers around the enemy effortlessly making it near impossible for anyone to strike her. I'm glad she didn't use this on me or Green when trying to get our Belt. maybe she saves that move for trainers coming for a higher level of belt than five? Who knows?

"Red!" she says getting in my face. "Please...don't stay. You have to go!"

"Stop Sabrina! I have to stand and fight just like…"

SMASH!

I turn to my left and see Yellow burst in through another window. He raises one arm before him and the other to the ceiling while glaring straight at the mob before us.

"THUNDER!" he belts.

The sky outside turns dark for just a second, and a bolt of lightning comes flooding into the room, coursing straight through Yellow's arms, and impacts with the Grunts. Sabrina steps out of the way as we watch all of Team Rocket fall over like a house of cards. The shake violently for a few seconds but don't get up and all go still at last. All of them but one that is. One man in all black is standing tall and unfazed in the middle of the fallen Grunts with his back to us. I notice on the end of his left wrist is a drill pointed towards the ground, blood dripping from its grooves.

"GIOVANNI!"

Yellow moves so fast towards him that he looks like a blur of white energy as he charges forward, but Giovanni spins around and chucks something into Yellow's face making him flinch and fall to his knees. What was that a Sand Attack? How low! The Rocket Boss lifts a leg and Stomps on Yellow's back flattening him to the ground.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

I try to run forward and help, but Sabrina grabs me by the arm and pulls me back. She looks at me with sad eyes, a look I didn't think she was capable of making. What is wrong? I need to help. I need to do something. Why doesn't anyone help Yellow? Looking over to Lt. Surge, he simply shakes his head "no."

A light flickers in the corner of my eye and I turn this time to see an actual Teleportation coming on. With a flash, Koga, the Gym Leader I saw use his Poison Skills on TV forever ago, immerges with daggers in his hand. He looks to Sabrina and Surge, and the three of them rush Giovanni at once.

But Giovanni raises his arms forward and slams all fours down on the ground making a tremor course through the whole building knocking them all back. I watch helplessly as Yellow and several others fall through holes in the ground.

As half of the floor caves in, Surge and Sabrina jump back to a patch of ground that hasn't collapsed giving me the opportunity to Fly straight at Giovanni myself. Once I get close enough to hit him with all I have, he usually raises a hand and Scratches me in the face as if he knew my move before I did.

"GAH!"

I fall down on my knees in front of him, and as I try to get back up he grabs me by the collar.

"Satoshi Himura! We finally meet again. I'm so happy to see you!"

I grab onto his arm with both of my hands and prepare to burn him when he reaches out with his other hand and squeezes my neck. Ack! I can't...I can't breathe! I can't breathe! The bloody drill on wrist flips around and spin in front of my left cheek. There's nothing I can do!

"Nothing to say to me huh? Well that's fine. I'll just take the Master Ball and be on my way since no one here seems capable of facing me."

"Master Ball…"

"Oh, yes! That prize product of Martin Silph! But you don't need to worry about that, you'll be dead soon! But hey, at least you won't be alone."

Master Ball? Won't be alone? But looking over his shoulder, I see what he means, and my heart stops. She's lying still and quiet in a pool of blood. It can't be her! Not Green!

"Green...what did you..."

I can't get free! I have to get free! I'm going to burn you to a crisp Giovanni! With every bit of my body, I want nothing more than to kill you!

Zzzzzzt!

"AAAAAAAHHH!"

He takes the Horn Drill hand from my neck and drives it into my side. I can feel the torque of the bit twisting my shirt and jacket, the heat of the metal burning my skin. I taste blood on my tongue and very nauseated. The room feels suddenly hot and bright. I can't keep my eyes open. All I hear now is the faint sound of something breaking or crunching.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

"NOOOOO! RED!"

Who is it?All that cracking! Everything is hazy. A flash of light and someone appears to my side. Who are you? I can't keep my eyes open. Don't die Red. Don't stop! You have to save Green. Green is OK. She has to be OK!