Part 8

The serenity lingered on. The dark sinister void in the atmosphere was heavy and couldn't breathe. I was anxious from Scylla's absence, so that may also be a reason for this and I could have just been imagining it all. But when I looked next to me to where Thunder once lay, all I saw was an empty space. My eyes went bulging from my eyes. I darted up and scanned the area. Everyone was gone; Everyone except Thorn who was sleeping soundly against me, but was now awake looking like he was lost.

"Where'd they all go?" He asked.

Before I jumped to conclusions, I calmed myself down taking deep breaths. They must be just playing a trick on me. If it was the case, I would not fall for their jocular games.

"Okay guys," I said. "Ya' got me good. Happy? Come on out now…" Her voice faltered at the last word.

Only the sound of my erratic heartbeat was to be heard.

"Guys…?" My voice quivered.

Suddenly, I was thrown several feet to the side by a net I was caught in.

"Master!" cried Thorn.

What in Oak's name was going on here? Where was Iggy, Charizard, Scylla, or even Magboy? I became aggravated. How could I have gotten myself into this predicament? I instantaneously sprouted my claws, put as much power into my right arm as possible, and scratched at the net. I thought that from the glow of my claws and the attack that it would be of some effect. After all it was just a net; nothing. My rage began to blossom. I did it to my second set of claws and scratched over and over with all the strength I had; Still nothing. I bit at it and pulled and gnarled on it, and still, nothing happened. By now, I was infuriated. I used Dragon Breath; Nothing- Again and again… nothing. Maybe it only works on the outside?

"Thorn, use Slash!" I commanded.

"What?" he said. "B-b-but I can hurt you!"

I heard footsteps coming from the distance.

"Just do it…now!"

I winced when he struck me with slash and his face twisted into remorse. At that same second the net began to glow and static began to go through my body. I shrieked.

"Keep trying…"

Instead, he started chomping on the net out of desperation. Did he not already realize it would do no good? He was only getting himself hurt. My strength was being sapped and I sagged.

"There is no use in anything that you are doing…" A cool, deep and seductive voice came from behind us. Thorn let out a fierce snarl that I had never heard before.

"Oh ho!" he said. "There's no need to get so aggressive, my dear Gabite!" His laugh was an evil chuckle filled with flattery. Strangely, it reminded me of someone. I turned as best I could and saw a tall and handsome young man dressed in a suit, his black hair smoothed back in gel. I recognized him as Thorn's old master, Artheus. There was a small red R patch on his front pocket. Team rocket… I knew it. The situation was hopeless, but still I was compelled to uphold myself and keep trying.

"Thorn, use Dragon Rage!"

Its head glows blue and its body is enveloped in a blue light. He then charged at the man at great speed. This was one of the most impressive moves I have ever seen Thorn do. He was still just a young Gabite, and yet he can already do this powerful move that he should only be able to do at possibly Gabite, but definitely Garchomp. But his attack was repelled by another one of those nets, and he was thrown back several feet, sliding to a stop next to me.
By this time, I was boiling, but there was obviously nothing I could do. There was a gang of team rocket members all around. If only Scylla, my prized, my beloved, my most powerful pokemon were here… these heathens would be running home crying to their mothers by now. Just as I thought of this, a large machine of a truck came out of nowhere with a large red R marked on the side, and in the truck was a large container glowing blue with red sparks flying from it, and in the container lay Scylla, beaten and unconscious, as well as Charizard. I gasped at the sight. On top of of the container sat a mighty Salamence, it's head up high with pomposity. The sight of the mighty creature took my breath away, being a dragon lover/master and all. But oh no, this Salamence was not the only mighty creature, for behind him stood the biggest, baddest, strongest looking Houndoom I had ever laid my eyes on. He did not hold himself high like the Salamence did, but instead the arrogance was replaced with dominance and fierceness; Pure evil. That was the only thing that went through my mind as he stared cold right at me.

Then came the powder. I watched as Team Rocket put on masks as twinkling little lights, like tiny stars, surrounded the area. A sudden feeling of relaxation fell through me as I was overcome with drowsiness, but it did not over overcome the static shock that was going through my body. Helplessly I watched as two members walked in from another side of the forest with a net that contained a knocked out Gabite, and surrounding them were a Pidgeotto, a medicham, and a Kangaskhan. How typical of Team Rocket to have us so vastly outnumbered. Magboy was not present so I figured he must have gotten away; perhaps to find Iggy. Either way, I was glad they were safe. I caught a quick glimpse at an Ivysaur using sleeping powder over on the side. I struggled to stand back up, but as I did I felt a boot kick me hard back down to the floor and hold me there. Everything became blurry as I drifted into a state of sleep, but compelled myself to stay awake.

"Oh for the love of.. Would you stop fighting?" Artheus sighed, his voice filled with fake pity and annoyance, but more of the latter of course. He looked down at me like a child looking at worm he has put on a hook, fascinated to see it writhe. With his shiny slicked back hair and flatteringly beautiful voice, he seemed like a demon.

"You are just like your father; Always compelled to keep fighting. Just like many of your people were. That is why your clan was so strong, but that is also why they were quick to fall."

"You don't know ANYTHING, you piece of shit!" I screamed. But to him it probably sounded more like a,

"Drae Drae Drakeondrae drae drae drakeon!"
He kicked me once more on my head to the ground and I winced in pain. My mind raged in confusion. How did he know about me and my transformation? What did this man have anything to do with my father, my clan, my home? But I could no longer think. My body was much too weakened from this ordeal, and I let myself go, as there was no use in fighting anymore.