Chapter 3

"You know, with a name like Azalea, I thought the town would be more colorful," Gold said looking around the small town. The town itself was surrounded by trees, and the Ilex forest was at the edge of town. The map described the most notable sites in Azalea: the Slowpoke Well, Ilex Forest, Pokeball Maker Kurt, and the gym.

"I haven't seen any slowpoke either," Crystal commented. "Aren't they usually lounging around town?"

"I can tell you why the slowpoke aren't here." The two trainers turned around "Who is your grandpa, sweetie?" Crystal asked, crouching down. She pointed to a larger house behind the gym.

"He lives over there. I'll take you to meet him." Gold and Crystal followed the girl into her house. Inside, an older man was pacing around what looked like a workshop. He looked up when he heard them enter and approached them.

"You two must be trainers. Sorry, but I'm not making pokeballs right now," he snipped. Gold glared at the man. He figured out that this must be Kurt, the pokeball maker. Even though the town was in trouble, there was no need to be so rude!

"Grandpa! I think these trainers can help save the slowpoke!" Kurt stopped and looked over the two with a critical eye.

"Hmm. They look to be decent enough trainers... Fine! I will take the boy. The girl will stay here and protect you in my stead." Gold was reluctant to go along with him, but Crystal was livid.

"Hey! Do you think I can't handle myself old man?! I'm a trainer too!"

"Calm down girl! I realize that! Team Rocket wants my skill with pokeballs, and they may kidnap my granddaughter! I'm counting on your strength!" He stormed out of the house dragging Gold with him. "Women!" He muttered.

At the well, Kurt yelled at the Team Rocket grunt. The grunt went down the well to warn the others, and Kurt and Gold followed. Towards the bottom of the ladder, Kurt slipped and fell to the ground. Gold quickly climbed the ladder and hurried over to where the old man fell.

"Damn!" Kurt cursed. "I twisted my ankle. You'll have to go on and defeat them without me." Gold froze. Defeat Team Rocket alone? He couldn't do that! Unwanted memories surfaced and he forced them to the back of his mind. Gold knew he had to do this for the sake of the town and the pokemon! He calmed himself and released Quil.

'Come on Quil, we have to save the town.'

Gold shivered as he and Quin trekked through the damp cavern. Slowpokes were everywhere mourning the loss of their tails. He slipped around the corner and crept up some stairs. He reached the top, but was spotted by a member of Team Rocket

"HEY! What do you think you are doing boy?" the grunt demanded

Gold froze, fear overwhelming him.

Men in black surround me. Can't move my arms. Restrained. Older man says something. Can't understand.

Gunshot. Man falls. I scream.

Red "R."

Nothing.

"Quii!" Gold is torn from the memory as the grunt sends out his pokemon. That's right. People are counting on him. There is no room for weakness. He crossed his fingers and quickly flicked his hands.

Ready? he signed and Quil jumped out in front of him

The battle did not last long at all. Gold took the grunts down with ease, his fear replaced with determination. He defeated the last grunt and approached a man with blue hair and a different uniform.

"What do we have here? I am known as the scariest and cruelest guy in Team Rocket. I won't allow you to interfere!"

A big hand yanking him up by his jacket hood- STOP

"Gold shook his head, clearing the memory from his mind. He needed to focus! He withdrew Quil to let him rest and sent out Sen.

Sen took down Proton's zubat, but succumbed to the koffing's poisoning. Proton smirked as Gold withdrew Sen. He sent out Quin and cupped his hand.

Quin, C.

"Quii!"

Quin shot a screen of smoke that filled the cave. Quin jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding a stream of poisonous fog. He retaliated with a spew of embers, but was surrounded by thick smog. Once it cleared, Quin took the foe down with quick attack.

Proton scowled and withdrew his koffing. Quin jumped into Gold's arms growling happily

Good job, he signed, giving Quin a small smile.

"Don't get cocky, brat!" Proton snapped, "Team Rocket did disband 3 years ago, but we operated under the radar. You may have won this time, but next time you will face my wrath. You will tremble in fear at what awaits you!"He stormed out of the cave, shoving Gold to the side.

Gold ran to the entrance. Kurt pushed himself upright against the wall.

"Looks like you're not too shabby." Kurt leaned against Gold as the two struggled up the ladder and through the town.

"Grandpa! You're home!" Kurt granddaughter ran to give him a hug. "The Slowpokes have returned too!"

"You should thank this boy, Gold. He took on Team Rocket by himself." Kurt declared.

Crystal gave Gold a look of disbelief. "Did you really?"

He nodded. She frowned and smacked the back of his head. "What were you thinking?!"

Before Gold could explain, she grabbed him in a hug, making him blush.

"Don't ever worry me like that again," she whispered in his ear.

She pulled away after a few moments with a small smile on her face. "I think you're ready to take on the gym leader."

A/N: Hi everyone! I really love writing this story! I have decided to go ahead and post unbetaed chapters. Hopefully my writing is not horrible and you will still enjoy the story. I am trying my best, so I hope you like it! Anything in bold italics is a flashback. Please tell me your thoughts!

Manga-neko signing out!

edit: More sign changes and other small edits. I'm working on the next chapter!