Chapter 18

Felix and Daisy arose later than they had planned. The luxury of sleeping without fear or interruption was too good to pass up, so the two friends took advantage of the opportunity. Melanie made them a large breakfast before bidding them farewell in the late morning. The pair made their way north toward Nugget Bridge, all the way talking about whether or not they could fully trust Melanie, though appreciating what she's done for them so far. When they finally reached their destination, they ran into someone they didn't expect: Daisy's brother, Zane.

"Yo, Felix!"

"..."

"You're still struggling along back here? Are you even still doing the Gym Challenge? I already beat Misty, but I haven't heard the buzz about you beating her yet. Can't even beat her with a Pikachu? What's keeping ya, bud? My sister slowing you down?"

"Do you ever shut up?" snapped Daisy.

"Calm down, sis! I'm just catching up with my friend. Don't get your panties in a wad," Zane replied coolly.

"What did you say to me, punk?" snarled Daisy.

"Look, it's cool you wanna stick up for your boyfriend and all, but you gotta–"

"Alright that's it, little bro! You and me! Pokemon battle! Now!"

A fire was in Daisy's eyes that Felix had never seen before. She slammed Nidorina's Pokeball to the ground and the blue creature emerged with a fierce growl.

"Ha! You got it, sis! I've surpassed you in every way already," taunted Zane. "Let's go, four on four!"

"I don't need four Pokemon to kick your sorry ass," Daisy sneered.

Zane's eyes widened for a moment, but he quickly recovered his haughty stare.

"Whatever you say… Go, Spearow!"

Zane's Spearow came flying out of his Pokeball.

"Poison Sting, Nidorina!" commanded Daisy. Venomous darts went flying toward Spearow from Nidorina's back. Spearow screamed in pain, the darts damaging his wings so that he struggled to stay in the air.

"Pft! Is that the best you've got? No wonder I'm gramps' favorite!" scoffed Zane.

"Are we battling or are you just going to talk? Let's go!" called Daisy.

Zane grunted. "Peck, Spearow!"

Spearow dove down and pecked Nidorina on the head. The hit hurt Nidorina a little, but it didn't break the skin.

"So predictable, Zane. Your Spearow is as weak as he was in Pallet. Grandpa has always seen you as a pest compared to me," mocked Daisy. "Poison Sting, Nidorina!"

The darts went flying again, this time poisoning their target. Spearow had a hard time keeping altitude.

"If I'm the pest, why did he trust me with the PokeDex?" Zane fired back. "Peck, Spearow!" Spearow again pecked at Nidorina's head, doing little damage. The bird Pokemon looked like it was taking a great amount of effort now to stay above ground.

"Hm, let me think… maybe so that you'd go as far away as possible? Maybe he was tired of hearing your whiny voice?" quipped Daisy back. "Nidorina, Scratch!"

Spearow was now at clawing distance since the poison wore him down. Nidorina swiped at Spearow with her claws, drawing blood.

Zane called for another Peck attack, but after Spearow executed his move, the poison caused him to faint.

"Whatever. Here's a newer Pokemon for you to deal with," Zane said, trying to hide his disappointed scowl with a stiff upper lip. "Sandshrew, I choose you!"

After Brock's gym and spending time with Melanie's, Sandshrew was becoming a familiar Pokemon. Daisy couldn't hide her grin.

"What are you smiling about?" shouted Zane, frustrated.

"Nidorina, Water Gun!" commanded Daisy.

Water came shooting out of Nidorina's mouth like a fire hose. Sandshrew passed out instantly due to Water moves being extra harmful to Sandshrew's Ground typing.

"WHAT!" cried Zane.

"Whoa, I didn't know Nidorina could do that!" called Felix.

"I taught it to her while we were traveling through Mt. Moon," said Daisy with a sly smile.

"Rattata! Hyper Fang!" barked Zane as he threw another Pokeball.

"Nidorina, Double Kick!"

While Rattata leapt forward with his teeth bared, he was met with Nidorina's back legs in midair. Rattata flew backward, but before he could replant his feet, he was met with another kick to the face, knocking him out cold.

Zane's face was red as he called forth his final Pokemon.

"No way you beat Eevee!"

Another Double Kick from Nidorina proved too much for Zane's Eevee. He was only able to get one other swipe in before Nidorina finally knocked him unconscious.

"Hey! Take it easy! You won already!" muttered Zane.

Daisy approached him with a stern face. Zane stared at the ground; he didn't dare look up at her. She wasn't quite as tall as him, but she seemed to tower over him at this moment. She reached out her hand and clasped his shoulder.

"How's your journey been going?" she asked warmly. "It's a long walk from here to Pallet Town. Have you had enough supplies? Have you been getting enough rest?"

Zane closed his eyes and grinned. "Yes. I've been taking care of myself. It's been a lot of fun. A lot better than school!"

The two siblings chuckled.

"That's good to hear. You better get going and take your Pokemon straight to a Pokemon Center. Stay safe, little bro."

"You too, sis," said Zane. "Take care of Felix for me. Poor guy is helpless. He'll always need help from an Oak."

Felix hung his head.

"Alright, that's enough. Smell ya later, or whatever you say," said Daisy, pushing Zane forward.

With that, Zane strutted off.

"We'd better keep going," said Daisy.

"I– I don't need you, right?" stammered Felix softly. A moment of stiff silence filled the air.

"Is this about what my brother said?"

"I'm capable on my own. I don't need you to take care of me."

"Are you… are you asking me to leave?"

"No."

"Then what is this? Felix, you're a good Pokemon Trainer and you are capable of doing things on your own. But everyone needs help. Even my brother. After what happened at Mt. Moon, you're wanted by the most powerful crime organization in the region. Just because you could do something by yourself, doesn't mean you should," Daisy lectured.

Felix nodded.

"To prove it to yourself, let's test your might against these kids guarding the bridge," said Daisy.

Felix shrugged and followed Daisy onto the long concrete bridge where they were met by five kids about their age.

"You there! Kid! This is Nugget Bridge! In order to cross, you'll need to beat us five trainers! You can have our money, plus you'll win a fabulous prize! If you lose, we take your money and you go back to Cerulean! Think you got what it takes?"

The kid speaking wore a tank top, shorts, and a wide brim hat. A net hung over his shoulder.

"Are you a Bug Catcher?" asked Felix.

"Yeah, what's it to ya?"

"Shouldn't you be in Viridian Forest?"

"Oh you met those guys? Sammy and the gang? They… they aren't really for me anymore. Though I still like catching Bug Type Pokemon. Hey, are you going to battle us or what?"

Felix wasn't sure what to make of that response, but agreed to battle. Graveler crushed his Caterpie and Weedle with Rock Throw. He didn't even break a sweat. Felix battled the other four trainers with ease. The only tricky one was with the last kid named Ethan who used a Mankey. The pig monkey's Fighting Type, particularly his Low Kick, had an advantage over Graveler's Rock type. Still, Graveler was able to overwhelm the Mankey with his sheer might.

"Maybe I can beat Misty with Graveler," said Felix with a sly smile.

Daisy rolled her eyes. "Well, do you need anymore validation, Mr. I'm-Capable-On-My-Own?"

Felix's smile remained as he shook his head.

"Well, here's my money. I did my best. I have no regrets. Go see that man at the end of the bridge for your prize," said Ethan.

"Thanks. It was a good battle," said Felix.

He and Daisy continued on to the end of the bridge where they were greeted by what seemed to be a friendly man.

"Congratulations! You beat our five trainers! Not only do you not have to pay the toll, but you just earned a fabulous prize!"

The man handed Felix an ovate piece of gold.

"It's called a Nugget. They're worth a ton in this unstable economy," said the man.

"Thank you!" said Felix.

"By the way, would you like to join Team Rocket?" asked the man casually.

Felix and Daisy froze.

"We're a group dedicated to helping Kanto rise from the ashes of the war using Pokemon! Want to join?"

"..."

"N-No thank you," stuttered Daisy.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," said Felix firmly. He looked back down the bridge at that Bug Catcher. He understood now. He felt bad for Anthony and Sammy, for the conversation they must have had with him.

"Come on, join us! You'll never have to worry about food or shelter again," said the man with a friendly grin.

"Tell me. Where are Jessie and James? Where did they take my Pikachu?"

"Huh? What?" said the man, his face falling.

"Take me to the Power Plant. I want my Magnemite back."

"Wait… you're that kid that gave us trouble at Mt. Moon! Ekans, go!"

A familiar purple snake came forth from the Pokeball.

"Graveler! Rock Throw!" Graveler hurled a rock at Ekans, leaving a large lump on his body.

"Wrap, Ekans!"

Ekans curled his body around Graveler.

"Nidorina! Scratch!"

Nidorina immediately began clawing at Ekans while he was wrapped around Graveler. It was aggressive enough that he let go.

"Double Kick!"

With that command, Nidorina kicked Ekans twice right at the top of his skull. Ekans fainted on the second impact.

The man growled. "Go, Zubat!" he grunted.

"Rock Throw, Graveler!"

The rocks knocked Zubat out instantly.

"Argh! You are good!" lamented the man.

"You are at our mercy. Would you rather us hold you for ransom or would you like to take me to my Magnemite and Pikachu yourself?" asked Felix.

Daisy's eyes were wide and her hands were clasped in front of her mouth.

"Ha! You think those are your best options? Sure, I'll take you right to where we keep your stolen Pokemon! We won't outnumber you there at all," scoffed the man.

"Ransom it is, then."

"Psh. You think Team Rocket is going to break its back negotiating with a terrorist like you for a single recruiter?" snickered the man.

"So that's what this is, huh? It's not just some punk kids trying to make a buck, but a Team Rocket recruiting tactic? Promise kids food and shelter, but all they have to give up is their souls, huh?" Felix ranted. "I guess we'll move on to Option 3."

"I think I can guess what that is," said the man. "You left my associate in bad shape. He may never fully recover. With your ability, you could become a top leader in Team Rocket. Farewell."

Before Felix could react, the man jumped into the water below. Felix contemplated jumping in, too, but thought better of it. He'd be at a big disadvantage with Graveler.

"You really are getting quite strong, Felix. You took him out almost without trying," said Daisy softly. "It won't be long before you're strong enough to infiltrate the Power Plant."

"At least we still have what Pokemon we have left," Felix muttered.