Chapter Summary: Because of the majority supporting Fire, that's what I'll do for One-Shot 2.
Shipping: HeatShipper

One-Shot 2: Aqua Weak Against Fire?

A Pokémon Trainer is suppose to be catching and training Pokémon to compete against other trainers and their Pokémon. So explain the reason Ash's journey of a Pokémon Trainer is so different? Inside a base with Team Aqua's blue "A" insignia pasted by the front door which was so big, you could see it from the nearby mountains without binoculars, he and Pikachu used the air ducts to sneak into the facility. Ash was mad as heck. "I never thought Team Aqua would stoop this low," he scowled. "Why would they kidnap Flannery?" Both leaped onto the floor, searching the halls for Flannery. Before long, the two found a locker room. This could be a good place in order to blend in with the rest of the Aqua scouts. Carefully, they entered the locker room and in time. A lowly scout was going toward the same room. Cameras weren't permitted inside the locker room.

"What the-" he gulped before there was some pounding inside. What's going on? After a few seconds, there was the scout...stripped down to his flame-printed boxers. This was interesting. Hogtied and stuffed into a locker, the scout was no threat.

"I'm surprised that you haven't been ridiculed for wearing those shorts under your uniform." He had a point on that point out. This was Team Aqua, not their enemies of Team Magma. Ash closed the locker and opened a spare one, containing another Aqua uniform, the blue bandanna and pants with prison-stripe fatigue shirt and sunglasses...in a small size, perfect for Ash. He switched out of his wardrobe and into the Aqua. He didn't look too bad. There was one problem. "Pikachu, I'll be right back with Flannery." He wanted Pikachu to stay in the locker room for a while, much to Pikachu's chagrin.

("We're a team, Ash!") it protested the idea.("Let me come, too!")

"No, listen. If you're with me, my cover will be blown on the spot." Hearing that detail, Pikachu withdrew joining and nodded in understanding.

("Be careful, buddy.") Ash walked out and proceeded onward, hoping to find Flannery. By the way, how did Ash know that Flannery was here?

(Flashback)

Ash, and Pikachu were hanging out at the Pokémon Center near Lavaridge Town. Restless for some reason or another, both were awake late one night. Suddenly... "Ash!" a shout cried out. All turned to Mr. Moore, Flannery's grandfather who seemed to be in a panic. The kids dashed over to see the problem.

"Mr. Moore, what's going on?" Ash asked in concern. It was about the granddaughter.

"It's Flannery! Those creeps from Team Aqua were attempting to find and steal an eternal heating system they believe is somewhere buried underneath the town and Flannery chased after them. I have a bad feeling that those Aqua bullies captured her." Ash cringed. The Lavaridge Gym Leader was a good friend to him. Ash had gone to judgment call the instant.

"Okay. I'll help get the heating system and Flannery back." Mr. Moore wanted to wish Ash good luck but first...

"My Wingull found some building with Aqua's logo on the building within the mountains south of the city. It's impossible to miss." That would explain how Team Aqua was found. Ash was ready to act.

"Okay. You stay with the rest while I return Flannery." Ash and Pikachu raced out the door in pursuit of the facility. When the sun rose, Ash and Pikachu spotted the warehouse.

Ash walked around the facility without his most trustworthy Pokémon at his side. As he journeyed the place, some Aqua scouts passed him without a hint that there was an intruder amongst themselves. They weren't bothered by the fact that the "scout" was shorter and younger than the rest. He pulled out a blue card, preferably from the downed scout in his locker. You could bet he had to be embarrassed with the discovery of his "burning" skivvies. He came across a door reading "PRISONERS' CABIN." Couldn't they have made the area name any easier like "GYM LEADER HELD HERE?" This had to be where Flannery was being held. By the door was a card reader. Ash swiped the card and a few seconds later, a green light lit and the door unlocked. Ash entered as a female redhead wearing the same Aqua garb with a blue vest walked right passed, not even a sense that there was a Houndour in Mareep's wool...or the better understanding, wolf in sheep's clothing.

"First time he's ever on schedule," she muttered with a smile. That would be why she didn't suspect anything off. Apparently, the guy that's being watched over by Pikachu had a punctual affinity of being late. Ash looked through the cells which were empty. If Flannery's here, she had to have been one of the prisoners. End of the hallway and two cells left to check. One had nothing. The other had a few Pokéballs laying on the wooden bed. There's a good chance this was Flannery's cell. He opened the door and peered inside...which was a bad move.

"Meg, Flamethrower!" a voice rang out. A Slugma from the side fired a stream of fire which engulfed Ash's head...and charred the bandanna and melted the sunglasses. Behind the Slugma, Flannery watched the attack hit, thinking the Aqua scout was taking her Pokéballs...until the headgear was burnt. She gasped. "A-A-Ash! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you!" Ash dipped his head into his open hand in shame.

"I probably should have given warning," he admitted. "Anyway, we need to bail." Flannery wasn't content with just leaving the facility. There was something else in mind.

"We can't. I know this isn't their main headquarters, just a branch but they're drilling into the ground to find what's been heating Lavaridge Town. They don't get it that it's the active Mt. Chimney and if they try to destroy it..." Ash got the memo. This operation Aqua was engaged in needed to be stopped.

"Got it. Let's go." As soon as Flannery stepped out of the cell, alarms blared. An escapee. Aqua members scrambled toward the prison cabin. As soon as one member opened the door, a large plume of smoke seeped out and clouded the setting. Ash and Flannery raced passed the locker room where Pikachu rejoined his partner. The scouts began lock-down, hoping to snare the spy and prisoner. Ash and Flannery found the control room, vacant. The two released Torkoals, much to Flannery's surprise.

"You got a Torkoal, too? Where?"

"Valley of Steel. Okay, Torkoals...Overheat!" Both Torkoals fired white streams of blistering sun-like fire, burning through the panels and melting all that were inside each.

"Good work, you two! That should scorch any plans of ruining my hometown." The Torkoals celebrated by firing Smokescreens out of the backs of their shells. After returning the Torkoals to their balls, Ash and Flannery leaped out the window and bailed the scene. The redhead Aqua member got to the control room, gritting about the destroyed area.

"Lovely," she hissed. "Men, evacuate! The fire's out of control!" Jeez, no attempt to stop it? The frantic Aqua team ran out in the panicked states that may put smiles on Team Magma. Don't ask, they're not present. At a mountain site and thankful to be back in his normal garb, Ash, Pikachu and Flannery watched as the facility burned to the ground.

"Well, that was a hot run," Ash joked. "It's kinda weird that they didn't try to combat the flames and save what they can and rebuild the facility. They have Water Pokémon." It did seem strange. To Flannery, it didn't really matter.

"Who cares!" she cheered. "Team Aqua's dubious intents were stopped and Lavaridge Town's safe...thanks to you." Hey, all he did was bail you out. Ash was a bit stunned with the motion, but got a bigger surprise when she knelt down and gave Ash such a hug, Pikachu nor the Torkoals were arguing.

("That was a victory for the town,") Pikachu squeaked. The Torkoals agreed. Later that day, Flannery was spotted in the sand spa, peacefully snoozing along and relaxing as if the world was no longer a matter to her. Mr. Moore and Ash's friends spotted the Gym Leader sleeping away with a Torkoal resting by her.

"Flannery!" Mr. Moore called out. Awakened, Flannery removed a pair of sunglasses that may have been salvaged from the fire and looked to her grandfather.

"Hey, grandfather. Hey, guys." May was concerned about the state of Ash.

"Flannery, do you know where Ash ran off to?" May wondered. Where's Ash? She had to know.

"You should know your own friend. He's off somewhere training with Torkoal and Corphish for his next battles." That made sense. Then Brock had a feeling.

"Well, it's good to see you okay after what happened this morning," he sighed in relief. "But shouldn't you be watching the Gym in case of any challengers?" Hey, cut her a break. It was a rough morning.

"After that experience, I'm taking a day off. You wouldn't understand what it's like being held captive by an evil organization and having Ash save my life. The stress of it all." Touchy, weren't we? She's using the "Overwhelming Mental Fatigue" card as her excuse to get out of Gym duties. Although when you think about it, it was rather valid of her to say such.

"Well, I guess it makes sense," grandfather accepted.

"Yeah, we'll let you relax for the day," Max acknowledged. "Hopefully, Ash hasn't gone too far ahead." Good idea. Ash's friends headed off to find their comrade, Mr. Moore headed home to rela and Flannery...watched...bra straps barely sticking out. Suddenly...Ash popped out from the sand, gasping for air...over an unflinching Flannery. Ash was as red as his Corphish.

"Sorry, Ash," she apologized. "I didn't really want anyone to find out about this. I couldn't let my hero go after that rescue." That girl was slick. She got Ash to sand-bathe with her...and hide him from his friends.

"I suppose." Flannery snagged Ash's head and pull him toward her chest, just above the bra.

"Ten more minutes, okay?" Ash surrendered and fell comfortably asleep on the Gym Leader. It rather begs the question: Which is hotter, Lavaridge spas and climate...or her?

END of FIRE

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