Red may have lost his battle, but he has proved to J that he is one of the best people he has on her side. Will Red be able to overpower J and break free? What Pokemon did Ash decide to take with him on his journey? What is in store for our hero and our villian?
Chapter 8: Double Trouble
Setting: Route one 12:30 p.m.
Ash was putting out the fire he made so that he and Pikachu could have a goodnight sleep without any worries. As Ash wrapped himself in his sleeping bag he left enough room so that Pikachu can lay with him and get warm. While Pikachu was fast asleep Ash stared at the sky and began to talk to Pikachu even though it was asleep "This brings me back to when we first started this journey together Pikachu." Ash continued. "I remember back then we didn't get along and you didn't do anything I said. Then later that day it was because of me that we got chased by a flock of Fearow and ended up having to jump off a waterfall." Ash paused for a moment. "Then Misty fished us out of the water thinking we were water Pokemon. I still haven't paid back Misty for her bike that we borrowed and she's always nagging about it." Ash chuckled. "Then when it seemed we were done for you protected me from that flock of Fearow by using a powerful Thundershock and scaring them away. After that experience together we ended up bonding and arriving at Viridan City I'll never forget it." Ash glanced at his Pikachu thinking of everything they been through, the places they've seen, the battles they fought. Then Ash's eyes soon became heavy as the stars began to fade away and eventually he was fast asleep.
Setting: Red's room 8:30 a.m.
Red began to slowly wake up and when his eyes opened Clair was less than a foot away from him "Ahh!" Red yelled as he fell off his bed. Clair stayed silent and watched as Red was rubbing his forehead "Clair what are you doing in my room!?" He said standing himself up. "Um...your door was unlocked so I came to say bye." She replied softly with her head down glancing at her feet "Bye? Why bye?" he asked. "Well Anna and I are going on a mission." "Right now?" Clair gave a nod. "We will be leaving soon. I wanted to see you before we left and." Clair went silent "What happened to your arm?" Red noticed that his shirt wasn't actually hiding the large scar and that no one, but Jennifer and J know what happened.
"It's nothing." He replied trying to hide it "That is something. That looks serious!" she said with a worried tone in her voice. "Don't worry about it I already had Jennifer patch it up." "But." Red cut her off "Clair! I'm fine. Don't worry about it." There was silence that filled the room. "Good luck on your mission." "Thanks." Clair whispered "Tell Anna I said hi and good luck." "Will do." Clair began to walk away. Before Clair shut his door she tried speaking to him again "Um...Red do you think that when we get back we can hangout...just the two of us." It was quiet "Of course we can." Red could see the expression her face, but when Clair shut the door she was smiling. Red began to get his stuff together and did his normal morning routine then he put his jacket and hat on and headed out to grab some breakfast and then his Pokémon.
Setting: Hallways
Red just walked out of the lounge after eating breakfast not seeing J or the elites just a few grunts on patrol. When Red was about to turn to the infirmary something crashed into him causing them both to fall. "Watch where you're going!" "Ok I'm sorry." Red apologized "It's you!" Red glanced at who he ran into and out of everyone he could have met "Brent." Brent stood up. "Now where do you think you're going?" Red got off the ground "I'm headed off to see Jennifer." Brent leaned against the wall "What makes you think she wants to see you?" Brent blocked Red's path. "I don't want any trouble Brent." "Well that sucks because trouble just found you." Brent grabbed Red by his shirt collar and slammed him against the wall.
"Besides I need to get payback for what you did to me the other day!" Brent growled at Red. Then Brent did a quick jab to Red's stomach and releasing him from his grip "I don't know why J asked you to join this team. If you ask me, I think you're a waste of space." Red was lying on the floor gripping his stomach as he watched Brent walk away mumbling something to himself.
Setting: Infirmary Room
When the doors slid open Jennifer turned around and saw Red walking in gripping his side "How are you feeling?" "I've had better days." He replied. "Are your here for your Pokémon?" "Yeah." "Ok. I have them in their pokeballs right over here." Red followed her. Jennifer picked up a tray containing three pokeballs "They'll be ready for battle in no time." She smiled "Thanks Jennifer." Red grabbed the three pokeballs and placed them on his belt. When Red started to walk away Jennifer realized she forgot something "Red wait! I need to give you your Pokémon medicine." When Jennifer turned around to stop Red from leaving, he also turned to her to hear what she had to say resulting in them ramming into each other.
When they opened their eyes she found herself lying on top of Red "Jennifer I..." Red couldn't speak as they were both blushing madly red. The room went silent and they could feel each other's breaths then Jennifer broke the silence speaking in a soft angel toned voice. "Yes Red." They stared deeply into each other's eyes "You're...you're crushing my ribs with your elbow." Jennifer blinked twice "What?" The door slid open "Hey Jennifer. I stopped by because I have a message...What's going on in here!" The two of them glanced at who had walked in.
"Cheyrll!" They looked at each other than Jennifer rolled herself off of Red "It's not what it looks like!" Red stated and rose himself up to his feet. "Oh really." Cheyrll crossed her arms "Because to me it looks like you to were about to kiss!" Red shook his head no. "It's just huge misunderstanding. Right Jennifer." Jennifer stayed quiet. "Yeah." Jennifer replied putting her hand in her pockets "Here you go Red these are the medicine that your Pokémon need to take with some food." She handed him a small container. "Thanks." He took the container and headed for the door. When Red was gone Cheyrll was giving Jennifer a cold stare "Quit looking at me like that." Jennifer said trying to ignore Cheyrlls presence "I thought you didn't like Red?" "I never said that." Jennifer replied. "So with that moment you guys were having just a second ago?" Jennifer let out a sigh "Like what Red said it was an accident. Why do you have to get so jealous?" "I...I'm not jealous." Cheyrll replied softly.
Jennifer rolled her eyes "Please. I can tell you're jealous from a mile away." Cheyrll stayed silent. "See." Jennifer said "So what were you saying before you walked in?" Cheyrll began thinking trying to remember "Oh I have a message for you from J. She wants you to heal her Pokémon." "Why doesn't she just come by herself?" She asked. "She is doing something with Salamance. So she told me to tell you that her Pokémon are in her office and to go pick them up." Jennifer gave a stressful look. "If you knew they were in her office why didn't you go get them for me?" "She said for you to do it. Plus it's scary in there." Jennifer rolled her eyes again. Jennifer took off her coat and grabbed her keys then headed towards the door "Aren't you coming?" she asked looking at Cheyrll. She gave a confused look "What?" "You don't honestly think I'm going to leave you here by yourself do you?" "Fine." Cheyrll followed Jennifer out the door as she turned the lights off and locked the door.
Setting: Route One
"Are you ready to go Pikachu?" Pikachu hopped up to Ash's shoulder giving a cheer. As they began walking a mechanical glove came and took Pikachu from Ash's shoulder "Pikachu!" Ash yelled trying to reach for his partner. Next a giant round case surrounded Ash sealing him inside "What the!" "Haha." As Ash looked in the sky he spotted a hot air balloon in the form of a Meowth's face. "Prepare for trouble." "Make it double." "To protect the world from devastation." "To unite all people within our nation." "To denounce the evils of truth and love." "To extend our reach to the stars above." "Jessie." "James." "Team Rocket blast off with the speed of light." "Surrender now, or prepare to fight." "Meowth! That's right!" the trio replied. "Team Rocket! Give me back Pikachu!" "Never!" Pikachu is an honorary member of Team Rocket." Jessie announced. Pikachu tried to break free by using Thunderbolt, but it was no good "Haha. Don't waste your energy, this baby here is one hundred percent rubber stopping any of your electric attacks." Meowth stated.
"Quick Meowth let's get out of here while the going's good." James said "With pleasure." Meowth used his remote to control the air balloon. "They're not getting away! Heracross come on out!" Ash's pulled a pokeball out releasing Heracross. "Heracross use Focus Punch to break this sphere." Heracross's fist began to glow white and he punched the case with all his power, only causing them to go spinning forward out of control. "Meowth the twerp is getting close." James stated "Don't worry Jimmy I'll just use the rocket boosters." With a push of a button jet engines appeared on both sides of the balloon basket. The engines began giving Team Rocket the extra boost they need "I just love it when an evil scheme comes together!" Jessie cheered "Yeah!" Meowth and James replied.
Out of nowhere a powerful Flamethrower came out of nowhere hitting the Meowth balloon causing them to crash "Ahh!" The trio yelled in fear. As they crashed to the ground Ash and Heracross crashed into a tree and they had swirls in their eyes from all the rolling downhill. As the trio crawled from under the deflated balloon they were rubbing their heads while James was now holding a cage containing Pikachu. "All right whose the wise guy firing a Flamethrower at us?" Meowth asked with anger. "Never mind that we have Pikachu let's just make our get away." As the group began tip toeing away Ash yelled at them causing them to stop. "Team Rocket! Give me Pikachu!" They began to laugh "Haha and what are you going to do about it? You're trapped in there and were out here." Jessie replied. "Heracross use Horn Atta...Heracross?" As Ash glances Heracross is still knocked out from all that spinning "Ok Heracross return." Ash returned his Pokémon so it can get some rest.
"I choose you..." Ash was completely cut off by the sound of a loud roar "Hey look!" Meowth points a boulder getting all their attention. "On top of the boulder it's a." Ash glanced "Entei." "Entei are super rare Pokémon!" Meowth said "Super rare means it will make a super gift for the boss. Meowth I want you to talk Entei into joining Team Rocket." "Leave it to me Jess. I'll have that Entei begging to join us in no time." Meowth replied in confidence. As Meowth moved closer to the legendary Pokémon it stared him down "Listen hear Entei old pal. Take it from a fellow Pokemon and join Team Rocket." Entei kept staring down Meowth "Meowth I don't think it very happy with your offer?" James mentioned. "Don't worry I got this. Come on Entei quit roaming free and join us. I guarantee you'll get all the riches you'll desire plus paid vacation." Entei began to mumble to Meowth. "Huh. Ok. Got it." "Well. What did he say Meowth?" Jessie asked "He said no." Meowth replied "What do you mean no!" Jessie yelled. "He says that he doesn't need money or anything like that." Entei used its Flamethrower at Meowth making him jump back a few feet.
Entei then used its Flamethrower at Ash freeing him from the sphere "Thank you Entei. Now Team Rocket give me back my Pikachu or else." "Not of your life. Yanmega Sonic Boom and Seviper use Poison Tail!" Jessie yelled releasing a snake and dragonfly like Pokemon. The attacks headed straight for Ash, but were blocked by Entei's Flamethrower "Thanks Entei. Quilava I choose you!" Quilava appeared and the flames on its head and back became to spark. "Quilava you're sure up for a battle aren't you." Quilava gave a grin to its trainer. "Come on James don't just stand there!" "Ok then Carnivine use Bite!" The giant plant Pokémon leaped out of the pokeball and latched onto James and bit him square on the head. "Not on me on them!" James shouted removing Carnivine and tossing him with the other Pokémon. The three Pokémon formed a wall blocking Ash from Pikachu "Quilava use Flame Wheel!"
As Quilava began to power up for its Flame Wheel it stopped all of a sudden "Is something wrong Quilava?" Quilava glared at the sky as a small jet was flying near the area grabbing everyone's attention. Everyone just watched as the jet lowered itself in between Ash and Team Rocket. The top of the jet opened up then two teenagers appeared "Hey! Who do you think you are to interfere with are Entei snatching!" Jessie yelled. The two glanced at her and gave a small giggle "I'm sorry, but we will be taking Entei instead." The young teenager said then turned towards Ash pointing at Entei. "Who are you?" Ash asked "My name is Clair and this here is Anna. Were Pokémon hunters and were here for that Entei." Ash stood in front of Entei "I won't let you take Entei." Ash yelled.
Clair and Anna both pulled out a pokeball "Then we'll just take it by force." Clair replied giving a small grin. "Delcatty!" "Ninetails!" "Come on out!" They said in unison "Hey we were here first! So that makes Entei ours!" Meowth shouted. "Anna you handle Entei I'll take care of those clowns." Anna gave a nod. "Alright Delcatty use Shadow Ball and shoot it up in the air." Team Rocket gave a confused look "I know we're Team Rocket, but were not up there?" James said. As the Shadow Ball began to descend it was coming down with greater speed and power "Now Iron Tail!" Delcatty's tail glowed white and Delcatty started to make circular motions with its tail. As the Shadow Ball got close Delcatty used the power of the Iron Tail and hit the Shadow Ball towards Team Rocket like if it were a batter hitting a baseball.
As the Shadow Ball made contact with Team Rocket it caused a small explosion sending them soaring high in the sky. "Well that didn't go as planned, but at least we still have Pikachu." Meowth smiled "Oh that's right! Ok James hand me Pikachu." Jessie requested "Alright here you go." he glanced at his hands and come to find out that they're empty. "You didn't hold on to the cage butterfingers!" Jessie yelled trying to strangle James "Well looks like we're going empty handed like always." Meowth stated. "Not only that, but were blasting off again!" They screamed.
"Well that takes care of them. Now to focus on catching Entei." Clair said looking towards the sky. When Clair glanced back she could see Anna having a difficult time fighting off a Quilava and Entei "Come on Ninetails lets use all that training into good use." Clair and Dlecatty walked next to them, "Need some help?" Anna gave a smile and nodded. "Anna, me and Delcatty will take care of that kid's Quilava you try to weaken Entei." "Ok. Ninetails use Dig!" Ninetails quickly dug underground and out of their sights. "Delcatty use Shadow Ball!" Delcatty launched its attack straight towards Quilava "Shoot it back with FlameThrower!" Ash commanded. Ash kept calling move after move successfully blocking every attack Delcatty uses and Quilava was able to land powerful attack as well.
Anna could tell Clair was struggling, but she knew she had to weaken Entei, and then Ninetails appeared right under Entei's feet. Entei swiftly leaps in the air to dodge then fires a Flamethrower that Ninetails blocked using its tails as a shield. "Alright Delcatty use Shock Wave!" "Quick Quilava use a counter shield using Flame Wheel and Flamethrower." Clair gave a confused look "A counter shield?" The Shock Wave closed in on Quilava. Quilava quickly used it's Flame Wheel, but instead of spinning straight Quilava went on its side and used Flamethrower causing it swirl around it. The Shock Wave was destroyed and Quilava spinned its way towards Delcatty.
Quilava slammed its body into Delcatty sending flying straight into Clair then Delcatty suffered an added affect of burn causing both Clair and Delcatty to get hurt. Anna saw her best friend lying on the ground hurt "Ninetails use Agility!" Ninetails speed increased sharply making it difficult for Ash to catch even a glimpse of it. "Now Dig!" With the new speed Ninetails used Dig and headed straight for Quilava. Ninetails gave Quilava no time to react and when it appeared out of the ground it sent Quilava high in the air "Quilava!" Ash yelled. "Use Giga Impact on Entei!" Ninetails came down with great power then Entei mimicked Ninetails and leaped high the air towards Ninetails using its own Giga Impact.
Ash ran and caught Quilava before it hit the ground "You did great. Take a long rest." He smiled recalling his Pokémon. Ash glanced up at and saw the huge explosion caused by their Giga Impacts. When Ash saw the balloon basket he saw his partner asleep in the cage "Pikachu!" He yelled while running towards the small cage. As Ninetails came falling down from being overpowered by Entei's Giga Impact Entei landed on the ground fine, but a bit exhausted. Anna recalled her partner "You did your job thanks." She looks at Entei "Escape this!" Anna extends her left arm revealing a device attached to her wrist. She fired a beam at the vulnerable Entei and when it came into contact it transformed Entei into a statue. Ash glances back as Entei was put in a seal case and was placed in the back of the jet they arrived in.
Anna went to assist Clair "You ok?" Clair asked with a weak smile already returning her Pokémon back to its pokeball. Anna helped her walk to the jet "I should be asking you that." As the jet began to soar into the air Ash was able to break the cage. He gently picked up Pikachu who was unconscious then he looked up and saw the jet fly past him going beyond his sights. Pikachu gave a weak cry "Pikachu. Come on buddy stay with me. You're going to be ok Nurse Joy of Viridian City will take good care of you." He said running to the Pokémon Center.
Setting: The front of the airship
Anna walked in to find J sitting in her chair barking orders at her henchman "Excuse me...J." J glances back and sees Anna then gets off her seat. "Anna I assume you have your report for me about the mission I sent you and Clair on." She hissed. Anna gave a nod "Yes. I like to say that we were able to capture the target successfully and it is waiting for you in your office." J gave an evil grin "Good. Where's Clair?" J asked "Um..She wandered off when we arrived back on the ship. She was wounded in the mission she might have gone to see Jennifer. Shall I get her for you?" Anna said softly. "No need. You may leave now." Anna gave a bow then headed out while J went back to yelling at the crew.
Setting: Red's room
Clair slowly opened the door to Red's room peering through to see if he was asleep "Red...Red are you awake?" when she walked in she shut the door quietly. As she glanced around the room she noticed Red's clothes were laid out on his bed then she heard a noise coming from the bathroom. Clair saw that the door was wide open and it was steamy "That sounds like running water." It went silent until Clair heard a metal clanging noise. She realized that Red was taking a hot shower and was just getting out. Clair began to panic then she quickly hid in the closet near the bathroom closing the folding doors swiftly and quietly. Red walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair soaking wet. Clair tried to stay quiet and breathe softly as she watched Red go over to his clothes.
She could see that Red had a very masculine body, but he had many scars all over his body on his chest, back, arms, and his legs. She felt sad when she saw this and started to think of all the pain Red had suffered that gave him so many scars. Clair sadness didn't last too long when it was quickly washed away when she noticed that Red was about to remove his towel and change into his clothes. Clair's heart began to race a million times faster she was arguing with herself in her head "Come on Clair jump out before he takes off his towel. No Clair stay and watch then leave when he's gone. Don't Clair this isn't like you, if you go now I'm sure he'll forgive you." Clair was smacking her forehead. When she was about to jump out of the closet it was too late Red's towel had hit the floor. She was glancing at the towel as it just laid there too afraid to glance up she felt like her heart was about to burst as she couldn't help, but glance up.
Her heart had literally stopped, but in relief when she saw that Red had boxers underneath the towel. As Red put on pants Clair stayed quiet and calm, but had to apologize to Red deeply for this mix up. When Clair glanced down she saw her favorite silver hair piece on the floor. She gave a shocked look and slowly stretched her arm towards it "What are you doing don't grab it you'll get caught. Hurry Clair do it while he's not looking." Clair glanced at Red and saw that he was turned away about to put on his shirt. She slowly opened the closet to grab her hair piece, but she couldn't open it too much or Red will notice. As she reached she was about a fourth of the inch away. Clair closed her eyes and stretched with all she could then she felt at the edge of her fingers next it was gripped in her hand. Clair gave a smile then felt something grab her wrist and pull her right out of the closet. She was lying on the carpet with Red towering over her with his shirt on his shoulder "Clair?" He extended his hand and she gladly accepted it. "Clair what were you doing in my closet?" Red asked lifting her up to her feet.
Clair dusted herself off before looking at Red "So...what were you doing in my closet?" He asked confused. Clair gave a nervous laugh "Well you see, what happen was. Ok you're going to laugh about this." Red stayed quiet "Ok...maybe not." Clair looked at her feet avoiding eye contact. "I walked in because you said we can hang out after my mission. Then when I found out you were getting out from your shower I panicked and hid in your closet." "So wait...did you?" "Yes I saw you change and I'm really really really sorry Red please don't be mad please." Clair said hugging Red tightly. Red gave a deep sigh and patted her on the back "No I'm not mad I feel awkward, but angry no." He replied. Clair gave a shy smile to Red's comment and was going to enjoy her peaceful time alone with him.