A Champion's Title
Chapter 1: Not The Only One
"Morty, you've been up there for an hour! I'm sure there's nothing there!" A man called. Morty, the Gym Leader for Ecruteak City, was standing on the Gym, peering out into the night sky. He did this only when he knew something was going to happen.
"Something… is near us. And it isn't friendly…" He whispered. The man at the ground folded his arms. Morty's senses were almost never right. But in his mind, he knew what would happen. He spoke again.
"A flying obstacle has someone important. I know it." He whispered again, closing his eyes. He was right, in some regard. There was a blimp flying high above them. And someone very important was inside.
"Get up." A stern voice asked. Rob slowly stirred awake, but unable to move. The man kicked his rib cage, causing him to wrap his arms around himself. He groaned in pain.
"We'll be landing shortly. I'm sure Boss will like to see you." The voice stated gruffly. Rob managed to pull his torso upwards to sit up. He looked around, seeing Ethan beside him. The gruff voice seemed to be gone.
"Mornin', sleepyhead." Ethan sarcastically rang. Rob jested by punching him in the shoulder. He continued to look around. There was another person in front of him. A girl. Rob moved closer to her and shook her awake. Then he noticed something.
"This… Ethan, she's the girl you were hitting on in the café." Rob stated. Ethan crawled over to verify. Rob was right. The girl slowly opened her eyes. Then her eyes widened.
"What the f… Get away from me, you perverts!" She shrieked. She threw both her arms in front of her, landing punches in both Rob and Ethan's faces.
"Hey, we're not your enemy! Calm down!" Ethan shouted, putting his hands in front of him. The girl looked incredibly frightened. She didn't understand anything going on.
"Who are you? Why am I here?" She frantically asked. Her words were barely audible do to the shakiness in her voice. Rob stood up and stepped forward.
"My name is Rob. As you might know, I'm the current Champion of Johto. This is my friend, Ethan. We're both wondering why were here as well. Your name?" Rob said calmly.
"M… my name is Noriko…" The girl introduced. She trembled as she talked. Rob walked closer. It almost looked like a man trying to befriend a wild animal.
"Listen. We're on the same side. Let's forget what may have happened before and try to get going. Whoever these guys are were dumb enough to forget to confiscate our Poke Balls." Rob stated, holding out his hand. Noriko dismissed it and stood up.
"Don't mean to break up the tea party, but I think we-" Ethan started. Before anyone could react, there was a loud crash. Multiple screams could be heard. The entire room seemed to twist on a 20 degree angle, causing the trio to crash to the floor.
"Crap, it's Magma! Battle positions!" One person shouted. Hurried footsteps and releasing Poke Balls could be heard. This gave Rob an idea.
"Noriko, you have any Flying-Type Pokemon? You'll need a ride!" Rob asked. Noriko nodded, showing off a Poke Ball. Rob smiled and dug into his pocket. He retrieved a pocket knife and switched the blade out.
"You're not gonna do that, are you?" Ethan stated. Rob motioned for him to open a Poke Ball.
"We're supposedly in a blimp. Those are made of fabric. And if I'm right…" Rob started. He jabbed the knife into the side of the wall. His assumption was right. The blade ripped through the wall like paper. But the wind speed was harsh.
"Hang on! Release the birds!" Rob called. The wind speed, due to altitude, managed to suck the three of them right out of the blimp. They began to fall to earth, gaining speed. Before anyone could move, there was a big flash of white light. And then there were three humans riding Pokemon. Rob atop his Charizard, Ethan atop his Skarmory, and Noriko grasping to a Tropius.
"Waha! Now that's a thrill ride!" Ethan shouted, looking around. All three noticed the blimp. It was a dark blue with a weird logo on it. It looked like a white, rounded-out letter A. Another vehicle, a red helicopter, floated nearby. It also had a weird logo on it. This was a black M.
"Those… I've seen those before. That's Team Aqua and Magma. We were kidnapped by friggin' Team Aqua!" Rob shouted. He looked at Ethan, then Noriko. Ethan looked surprised. Noriko was too distracted by the altitude. Rob noticed this, and signaled for Ethan to fly downwards. The Trainers did, and the Tropius soon followed.
-About 2 hours later, 3:06AM-
"Recently, a large blimp was brought to the ground by unknown assailants. There seemed to be no casualties, but there was also no one inside the blimp. Police are now investigating this. We'll have more on this as the story develops." The TV newscaster read. The ONBS logo flashed and went to commercial. The trio was inside Mahogany Town Pokemon Center when the broadcast played.
"So we were kidnapped at random by under-qualified criminals, and then saved by another set of criminals?" Ethan asked. All three were sitting at a table inside the center. Rob and Ethan both had vending machine drinks. Noriko looked horrified.
"Team Magma and Aqua have been rivals ever since they were formed. I heard that Aqua current leader, Archie, was killed. The condition and whereabouts of Maxie, Magma's leader, are unknown. Normally, they're stationed in the Hoenn region. What they're doing here is beyond me." Rob explained, taking a swig of his drink. He looked over at Noriko. He realized that a civilian has probably never been through something like that. She must have been traumatized. Rob leaned closer.
"Noriko, was it? Are you ok?" Rob asked. Noriko didn't move. She seemed to be stuck in her own world. After a minute, she looked over.
"I'm so sorry you got caught up in this. I'd be happy to get you an escort back to Olivine." Rob continued. He looked at Ethan. His friend immediately understood.
"No, it's… Team Magma was there. They… murdered my family." Noriko confessed. Rob looked shocked, but also disgusted. Ethan shared the same look.
"I'm very sorry. This must have been very hard for you." Rob continued. Noriko, amazingly, managed to stand up.
"Don't be. I don't need your sympathy." She stammered. Rob looked disappointed. But he knew what she was getting at.
"I'm not so sure that one person can chase down an entire organization. I needed the help of almost everyone in Johto to take down Team Rocket. Team Magma might look easier, but still difficult nonetheless." Rob stated, seeing the fire in Noriko's eyes.
"I don't care. I do what I have to do. I'll kill them before I die. Maxie, especially." She continued. Rob smiled.
"Then I'd like to help. I have some business with Team Aqua. And they're like the Pichu Brothers cartoon. You can't find one without the other." Rob stated. Ethan stood up and shared the same determined look as Rob. Noriko glanced at both of them. The she smiled.
"Ok, then. We'll have to start planning. And keep what's-his-face's hands off me." She announced. Rob laughed at the comment. He stood up to meet her at eye-level.
"Ethan will keep himself under control. Besides, we can't let such a pretty lady get hurt now. Can we, Ethan?" Rob joked. Ethan shook his head.
"Not as long as the morning sky is blue." He answered. Rob extended his hand. Noriko extended hers shook it confidently.