Chapter 3 :
The Horror of Battle

Soma, Ken and Melons try to squeeze through the multitude of people that have gathered at the park plaza.
At the center, a man with a long garb and regal look is giving his speech :
"We are Team Plasma. We came here to deliver a message to the citizens of this town. Is it such a good idea to use Pokémon for battle?
Pokémon also have a heart, and by pitching your Pokémon agaisn't each other, you're literally shattering that heart. Think of your Pokémon. Aren't
trainers like yourself abusing Pokémon for your own good? We have come with a solution. Release your Pokémon, let them be free. Pokémon were
never meant to be used by humans. They must live between themselves, and lead a peaceful future. We will come back, but until then, think of your actions..."

The garbed man then leaves the plaza together with a few Plasma grunts. The people of the town start to gossip, whether trainers are doing the right thing or not...

Then, suddenly, a green-haired man approaches Soma.

"You are Soma, correct?"

Soma counter-asks in a surprised fashion "Wait, how do you know my name? And who are you?"

"You can call-me N." says him "I discovered your name because your Pokémon told-me so."

(Wait, so i'm not the only one can understand Pokémon speech?) Soma thinks.

"What do you want with me?" asks Soma.

"I want you to release your Pokémon. They wish to be released. It is their destiny."

Soma immediately assumes a defensive position "No way! I'm not releasing my Pokémon!"

"Is that so?" mutters the man "Then I shall release them by force! Go Purrloin!" N throws his Pokéball.

Soma was scared at that moment, but he knew he could count on his Pokémon. Unfortunately, Ken was too scared to battle.
Ken never had a battle of such importance, so Soma decided to rely on Melons instead.

"Melons, let's show him what we're made of! Use scratch!"

Melons furiously went into battle, exchanging scratches with Purrloin.
Ken just kept watching, and he was about to burst into tears. He never though Pokémon battles could be that violent.

After an extreme exchange of scratches, Purrloin lost her strength and fell to the ground.
Melons seemed to be ok, although he had a few scratches on his body.

N silently laughed "You are a fool Soma. Don't you see that Pokémon get hurt in battles? Release your Pokémon and there won't be any more pain..."

Soma replied "As if! My Pokémon are my friends! I won't let you simply get away with them like that!"

These words moved Melons's heart. Somewhere inside him, he felt happiness. But he wasn't sure if it was true happiness. It was a first for him.

"Very well..." N continued "If you're not going to release them... then i'll have to dispose of them. Go Lillipup!" he returned Purrloin and threw his other Pokéball.

Melons seemed ready to fight, but the scratches he received from Purrloin were hurting his body.

N issued a command "Lillipup, use bite!"

Lillipup tried to bite Melons, but Melons managed to dodge at the last second. He scratched Lillipup, but then Lillipup took the opportunity
and after receiving the scratch, proceeded to deep his fangs into Melons neck. Melons let out a scream of pain.

"Melons, NO!" cried Soma.

Ken felt a chill come down his spine. He stood in shock, Melons was gravely injured, blood spewing in the air. Lillipup then stepped back and was readying his next attack, when Ken jumped in and hit Lillipup with a tackle.

"You... how could you do that to Melons? Why are you picking on him? *sob*...YOU BASTARD!"

Lillipup tried to scratch Ken, but Ken dodged and sent a water gun towards Lillipup, knocking him out.

"Melons, are you okay!?" Soma ran to Melons's aid.

N returned his Lillipup and gave Soma a warning "If you don't want to see your Pokémon hurt, heed my warning. Release them. We'll meet again..."

N then proceeds to the next route, leaving Soma alone.

Soma took a good look at Melons. His eyes were barely open, he had blood oozing out of his neck. He also had a lot of cuts around his body from the scratches Purrloin gave him. Ken was terrified, and so was Soma. Melons opened his mouth "Soma...I...I don't want to die...save-me..."

"Hold on Melons! We're taking you to a Pokémon center!" said Soma with tears coming out of his eyes. He ran to the Pokémon center as fast as he could while carrying Melons in his arms.

When he arrived there, Nurse prepared an hospital bed for Melons very quickly.

"Nurse, please, save Melons... please... he's my friend!" said Soma.

"We'll do what we can."

Soma awaited outside the operation room. Images of Melons being harmed by N's Pokémon rushed through his mind. He was deeply worried.
Ken tried to comfort Soma by hugging him. Ken was still half-crying from the battle he witnessed.

The operation took a while, but finally, the operation room's door opened, and Nurse came with a message.

"Your Pokémon is ok now, Soma. We've removed the fangs from his neck and bandaged his cuts."

Soma and Ken jumped out of their seats and ran towards the operation room. There, they saw Melons, covered in a lot of bandages.

"Melons, you're okay!" Soma and Ken were relieved that their partner was still alive. Soma slowly approached the bed, to see if Melons would show any reaction...
Then, Melons opened his eyes. He looked at Soma. He said in a weak voice "Hey Soma... sorry if I worried you... I took that Lillipup for granted, I though I was ready for everything..."

"No, it's fine. But please, don't be so reckless anymore..." answered Soma.

"The relationship between us... it reminded-me... of when I had a trainer." said the Snivy.

"You had a trainer before me?" asked Soma.

"Yeah... but he wasn't very nice to me. He kept forcing-me into battles even when I wasn't ready. He then abandoned-me in Route 1, just like thrash..."

"That's terrible! If I had a trainer like that, I would be really sad!" was Ken's reaction to Melon's story.

"So... you're going without me?" asked Melons to Soma.

Soma replied in a positive manner "No, we're going to wait until you get better, then we'll all go together."

"Thanks Soma... you're not one bit like my previous trainer..."

"If you need anything, just call me or the Nurse, okay?" said Soma.

"Yeah, thanks..." Melons then closed his eyes to get some rest.

Soma and Ken stayed near Melons. They looked through the Pokémon center's window, and they saw the sun shining.
No matter how dark the night is, the day will always come and banish the horrible darkness... to live as a trainer... to endure suffering... to overcome obstacles...

They just spent their time together watching the sky.