Hey guys! So for this chapter, instead of writing so much action, I tried to focus more on the emotions and backlash of the events of last chapter. During the action of course lol. Enjoy!
4 months ago
On the Boat ride to Hoenn...after the Team Rocket Assault
Ash and Misty raced through the bowels of the ship, making sure the check everywhere they were physically able. If a straggling Rocket were left behind, they had to find them. Pikachu had his ears perked up high, listening for anything suspicious.
Only after searching all the possible hiding spots did Ash and Misty slow down, standing outside the battling arenas to regain their breath. As Ash rubbed his shoulders, massaging his sore muscles, Misty leaned against the wall and sighed, "I'm really getting sick of Team Rocket".
"Jesse, James, and Meowth had me tired of them way back when" he replied with a grunt.
"Touche'".
"Pika".
Ash stopped rubbing his shoulders, and half cocked his head to Misty, furrowing his brow as he said, "Giovanni will be back…".
"I know..." she replied, leaning off the wall and taking a few steps away, "we can't let him get away next time…".
Ash turned fully to her, she had her back to him and her head ducked down, with her right arm holding her left forearm. Walking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her smaller frame and pulled her into him gently, resting his chin on the top of her head. She leaned back against him, feeling his warmth around her.
"We won't" he told her, his throat vibrating against the back of her scalp, "the next time he appears, we'll stop him once and for all".
"I don't want to kill him, but…".
"It may be our only way to ever stop him for good" he finished for her sullenly.
Present Day - March 7th 12:48 p.m.
Team Rocket base in Sinnoh
The memory flooded into Ash's brain as he leaned against the wall while Red peered around a corner. Misty waited between them, sparing a glance back at Ash which went unnoticed by the young trainer who merely stared at the floor. A blank expression covered his blood soaked face, while his eyes were distant and hollow. Thinking of various encounters with Giovanni, thinking of all the death he had seen so far, thinking that this was the first time he had ever taken a life. Not once did he ever actually think he would end up killing the Rocket Leader, in all honesty, expecting to catch him and then he would spend the rest of forever behind bars. Instead, he ripped him apart, peeling his flesh back to tear at the insides...and now he had to answer a simple question...was he a monster?
Did Misty think he was a monster? She hadn't uttered a single word since Red ushered them from that dreadful scene, although she would look at him when they stopped for a moment. Not that he looked back, he couldn't bear to see if there was a look of fear, or disgust behind her eyes. What about his father? Red had only said enough to get them moving, but otherwise remained just as silent, going so far as to completely avoid looking in Ash's general direction altogether.
Misty, on the other hand, was forming her own assumption as to why Red would not look at his son. She, of course did not consider Ash a monster, but there was certainly some feeling there that scared her. While they moved through the building, clutching her broken arm close, she fathomed over what it could be. Was she terrified of him now? No. She still loved him right? Of course! He only did what he did for her, and to stop Giovanni for good. That much she knew, because Ash would never act out of pure rage that way unless the people he loved most were hurt...she'd seen it before. Like when his mother died...the way he screamed at Lance could have been terrifying if she didn't know Ash like she did.
Unable to place the feeling, she pocketed it for now, and instead focused on Red's reaction. He was helping them sure, but something was off, he certainly seemed different now. What Misty knew that Ash didn't however, was that Red just watched his son rip into his younger brother. They just witnessed Ash murder his Uncle without him even knowing it.
She physically jumped out of her thoughts when Red spoke for the first time since leaving the room behind, "we should be good, Misty do you know where the blue haired girl is"?
Coughing because it took her a moment to find her voice, and having to raise it a little to speak over the still wailing alarm, she replied, "yes I think I can find the way".
"I'll lead, just tell me when to turn".
And he moved down the hall he had been watching. Misty went to follow him around the bend, but realized Ash was not moving. His arms hung limply at his sides, and his expression was growing more vacant with each passing second.
"Ash"?
He didn't hear her, his brain was shutting down as his thoughts were growing more wild. There he was, looking at the Rocket called Burt guarding a single door down a hall, grumbling about his boss having 'all the fun'. Then the man spotting Ash approaching, and asking 'hey, something important to tell the boss? Gunna have to wait'. Forgetting he was wearing the Rocket Uniform, Ash heard this as a threat, and broke the Rocket's nose. Preventing him from howling in pain, he reached for the back of his hair, and smashed his head into the wall as hard as he could. Effectively knocking the man out cold, slumped in a heap on the floor.
Then came the nervousness of opening that door, scared of what he'd find, but if Misty might be in there then he had to see. Next was the petrifying numbness that swallowed him as the scene opened up, and then the rage. The pure, unfathomable rage that coursed through every fiber of his being. The rage that consumed him and acted through his body to tear that pitiful excuse of a man apart. Blood...so MUCH blood! Everywhere! Dripping from his fingers, his hair. Kind of like syrup. Coating across his skin, and the sticky flesh plastered ALL over him! More! Darkness! KILL! Ash?
He jerked roughly, snapping his fingers around the wrist of a hand that just gripped his shoulder gently. Misty squeaked in slight pain from the sudden vice like grip, and froze in place for a second as he turned his eyes on her. They were no longer distant and hollow, but focused and full of wild energy, staring at her in such a way that seemed like he was ready to hurt her. Then it vanished, and his eyes were the usual chocolate brown, but with the overwhelming sense of distress behind them.
"Ash" Misty repeated carefully, twitching her hand to indicate he was hurting her.
Realizing this, he quickly let go and tears welled up in his eyes. Never before had she seen him look so pitiful, and that was saying something.
"We need to move" she said softly, and somehow he heard her over the alarm.
Before she could begin to pull him along, he asked, "do you still love me"?
Completely caught off guard, Misty's expression shifted to bewilderment, and Ash's turned to heartbreak. Noting this, she quickly said, "of course I do. I'm just a little...scared".
Relaxing only a little, Ash nodded in understanding, "I know...".
He said it as he was just as scared of himself now. If that was in him to do to someone...what else could he do if provoked enough?
"We can't figure this out right now" Misty tried, giving his shoulder a squeeze, "we can't let the things that have happened affect us yet...not until we get out of here. Dawn needs us to find her".
And she let go of him, and turned the corner after Red. Following her own advice was proving to be a challenge in itself, the feeling of Giovanni against her, on her...in her...was destroying her down to the core. She wanted nothing more than to huddle in a corner, lock away the world and fucking cry until she passed out. At first she wanted to claw the Rocket Leader's eyes out with her nails, but as her spirit broke...her spirit broke...
She paused down the middle of the hall, watching Red ahead of her in a daze. There was no fight left in her, what good would she be in any situation? When they found Dawn they would surely have to fight their way out, her arm was broke, she wasn't sure if she could do that...her spirit broke...
Ash's hand found her shoulder, albeit hesitantly, as he wasn't sure if he should touch her. But this is what they were here for right? For each other, to help each other in times like this. As much as he was ready to quit, seeing Misty quit was never an option. So if he wouldn't let her quit, then he couldn't, and vice versa. He may have scared her with his actions, but dammit she needed to know that he would always be there for her, regardless of her decisions about him.
The action he got was not what he expected in the slightest. She spun on the spot, and threw herself into him, tucking her forehead against his chest and completely breaking down. Ignoring the blood that soaked him, she gripped his shirt tight with the hand she was able to use, desperately clinging to the safety she felt he provided. Instinctively, Ash wrapped his arms around her to shield her from the world, and then the two dropped to their knees.
Her intense crying was too much, and Ash found himself crying against her orange hair as he cradled her body against him. Her fingertips gripped into the fabric on his chest, curling tighter and tighter as the feeling of Giovanni grew worse and worse. She realized now that at first she was just numb, unable to process the event fully. What was she going to do? Where did this put her and Ash? How would they move past such an act? For the first time in her life, she was broken, frail even….her spirit broke….
No longer in control of her emotions, herself, or even part of her sanity, hysterically she began to whisper repeatedly, "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you".
Her fingers opened and closed against him, like she was trying to grip him and keep him from leaving. Ash found he had lost his voice, wanting to say it back but was physically unable too. Instead he pulled her even tighter, taking care of her arm, and caressing her back as she pawed at him continuously. When his voice returned, the only thing he was able to choke out was, "I'm not leaving you, please don't leave me".
Misty changed her repeated phrase, whispering, "I won't. I won't. I won't.".
The tears cascaded out of both of them, and Giovanni's blood was beginning to smear down Misty's entire front. They needed to get a hold of themselves, they needed to find Dawn and get the Hell out of there, but both had lost all control.
Footsteps echoed down the hall behind them where they had perviously been, heading there direction rapidly. Ash found himself accepting that if they were going to die, then why not right now? Safe in each other's arms, together. The will to fight had been sapped from the couple, and they knew it. Finding Dawn wasn't going to happen, getting out of there wasn't going to happen, so why not leave the fight permanently? The world be ok, right? Ash tasted iron as his lips pressed against Misty's now bloody forehead, causing her to stop pawing at his chest and scrunch up her face, waiting for the inevitable as the footsteps turned the corner.
Ten Minutes Earlier
"Kyle? KYLE?! KYYYYYYLE"!
CRASH! Glass exploded into the air, metal flew all directions, and a heavy bang rocked the bottom floor of the Rocket building. Lance leaned off the dashboard of their stolen jeep, his shoulder aching slightly, and his flaming hair coated in shards of glass. Kyle peeled himself off the steering wheel, a wide grin plastered on his face.
"Don't you dare say Kylenated" Lance grumbled, reaching to make sure he still had the rifle on his back.
"Take away my fun" Kyle muttered as he tried to open the driver side door, but it was stuck.
Lance didn't retaliate with a comeback, thinking that Kyle had just had enough fun by crashing the frickin jeep through the windowed wall. Their plan went off without a very big hitch. Kyle ran out into the open, caught Team Rocket's attention, and ran back. Just as Lance predicted, they sent two vehicles full of armed guards to deal with the intruders. The hitch? Lance didn't spot the second vehicle...
Only after dispatching the Rocket's in the jeep, and hopping into the vehicle, did the other jeep crash through the underbrush. Seeing the Grunt's not driving aim their rifles, Kyle floored it and rocketed out of the trees. He sped across the clearing while Lance fired backwards at the pursuing jeep, and thankfully he was a decent shot, hitting their driver and causing them to spin out of control. Kyle did not stop however, and crashed their way right into the building, stopping only when the front end slammed into what was apparently a reinforced wall. Thank God for airbags.
Climbing through the shattered windshield instead of fighting with the door, Kyle pulled himself onto the hood of the jeep. Lance's door swung open just fine, and he jumped out, aiming his rifle down the hall they charged into.
"All employees to Red Alert Zones" the intercom burst to life, startling Kyle who slid off the jeep and thudded onto the tiled floor, "intruder alert. All employees to Red Alert Zones. Intruder alert".
"Guess they know we're here" the blonde pilot asked knowingly, pulling his rifle forward as Lance shot him an 'I WONDER WHY' look.
"Let's just see what they've got going on here" and with saying that, Lance led the way.
Sidling up to the corner of an intersection in the hall, he carefully peered around the edge. A squad of Rocket's were rushing towards them, rifles pointed ahead and ready to fire. Signaling for Kyle to remain there, Lance sprung out into the open, rushing for the other side of the intersection and firing rapidly down the hall. This caught the advancing Rocket's off guard, and the front row went down in a barrage of bullets and shouts. Lance slid behind the wall as the few Rocket's who had not been hit retaliated by firing back at him, peppering holes into the glass window and drywall. With all fire focused on Lance's corner, Kyle sucked in a quick breath, crouched, and twisted himself around his corner. Pulling the trigger on his rifle and opening fire on the Grunt's, he finished off the squad with spurts of blood on the wall behind them.
"Nice job Kyle" Lance tossed, and maneuvered down the hall, stepping over the fallen Rocket's as he went.
"Yea, it was" he replied weakly, following his friend and not glancing down at the bodies. He may have had all the training, and was a decent shot, but shooting a living being was something he didn't think he'd ever get used too.
As they continued on, Lance was slowly growing more suspicious. They had been traveling deeper into the building, with the alarm still blaring deafeningly, and had yet to see anymore Rocket's. Surely that wasn't all that was stationed in the building, there had to be more somewhere. Why were there so few of them anyway? This seemed like a major base, naturally Giovanni would have more forces than the few they had seen so far.
Picking up their pace just in case they were walking into a trap of some kind, so Lance could spring it and get it over with, they rushed down the halls. Turning sharply and keeping their rifles up just in case they walked into a Rocket. Still, they ran into none. Some assault this was turning out to be...
Rounding one more bend, Lance froze in his tracks and Kyle planted his face in between the Champion's shoulder blades, then complained while rubbing his nose, "Oi, what's u-".
"Ash! Misty"!
Lance broke into a sprint towards the sight in front of him, which did not look good. The couple were on their knees, covered in blood, holding each other tight, and sobbing immensely. Only Ash seemed to have a reaction to the Dragon Master as he slid on his knees beside them, twitching his eyes towards Lance as he spoke quickly, "what are you two doing here?! Are you ok?! What happened"?!
Kyle ran up beside them, swiveling his rifle ahead and behind them in case any visitors decided to show up. Lance did not break eye contact with the raven haired man as he waited for an answer, his brow knitting together the longer Ash took. Opening his mouth to speak, he finally said a few broken words, "captured. Giovanni dead. Dawn. Father looking".
The impact of those words crashed into Lance like a tidal wave. Fragments of a sentence it may have been, but he understood it perfectly. They were covered in the Rocket Leader's blood, Dawn was still somewhere in the base, and Red was apparently here and looking for her. Kyle seemed to be on the same train of thought, because he asked, "Red? He's here? Where"?
"With us" Ash said hushed, breaking eye contact with Lance as Misty let out another sob and he buried his head against her hair.
Lance scowled at his answer, turning his head up and down the hall, but saw no sign of Ash's father.
"He must of kept going" he said, turning to look up at Kyle, "he either left them here or hasn't noticed he has. Doesn't matter either way. I wan't you to escort them out of here ASAP".
"What about you"?
Lance turned to face Ash and Misty, leaning in close so he didn't have to shout over the alarm, "I'm going to find Dawn, she'll be fine. I promise".
Neither of the distraught couple acknowledged physically they had heard him, so gripping his rifle, he abruptly stood up and began to run down the hall.
"Lance" Kyle called, taking a few steps after the Dragon Master, who halted in place and spun to face his friend, "get her out safe".
A flash of confidence gleamed through Lance's eyes, and with a curt nod, he turned and was running once again. Being honest with him self here and now, he didn't know what his feelings for Dawn were, but he knew how he felt about the bluenette. A deep, life long friend had been found in Dawn, something he had only ever found twice before. Ash, and Kyle. So whether he cared about her only as a friend or there was more to it, was irrelevant anymore. Dawn was loved by everyone he just left behind, and he was going to get her out of here, even if it killed him.
Growing up, all he ever had were his cousin Claire, and Kyle. It was because of Claire he even became friends with Kyle, since he followed her around from his massive crush he had on her. Before then, Lance had never needed anyone, and even to this day he rarely did. He acted warm towards others, but deep down he could of cared less. For some reason, he always assumed too many friends would hinder his progress, his goal to be the best Dragon trainer anywhere. After meeting Ash, and making a second lifelong friend...his entire attitude began to change. He found himself gradually growing warmer to others, genuinely growing warmer, not faking it. There were some he would consider 'friends', but only three would he ever love. Only three did he see as family, and all of them were in this building.
What was it about Dawn that allowed her access to his heart? That was a good question. He'd have to think on that one later, for now he just needed to find her. If he happened to run into Red on the way, then he'd break his nose and recruit his help!
Back down the hall, Kyle watched Lance disappear and then turned to the couple. He crouched down beside them, saying gently, "can you guys walk"?
Ash studied Kyle for a moment, reading the expression on his face, the intentions behind his eyes, surveying his body movements with great care. He didn't know Kyle very well, only having met him within the last twenty four hours, and having spent much of that time fleeing. However, all he found was genuine concern from the Pilot, so Ash nodded slowly then said, "I can".
Technically Misty could walk too, but Ash wasn't going to let her. Not this time, not in her state. She needed to feel safe, secure, and caressed, and by God if Ash would give her that. Leave the fight permanently?! What was he thinking?! He had to take care of Misty, he had to get her away from this place! Regardless of the fucked up way he was feeling right now, she was his number one priority, period!
Kyle nodded a few times, sensing Ash's previous hesitation, so he said, "you don't have to worry. I'll get you two out of here, even if I have to die. I love Dawn, and she loves you both, so that's incentive enough for me to lay my life down. Plus I'd like to be good friends someday…if I live".
He added that last bit with a tiny sense of humor, and shot Ash a small smile, then he continued, "I know you're a fighter, but today you don't have to fight. Everyone deserves a break, you have certainly earned yours. Just worry about her, and I'll take care of the rest".
The determination behind Kyle's eyes was the final piece of convincing Ash needed. He nodded at the blonde, indicating for him to lead the way. Returning the curt nod, Kyle rose to his feet and raised his rifle, "keep close behind me".
He waited patiently as Ash cooed Misty gently, caressing her back and easing her away from his chest. She grasped for his shirt, keeping her eyes jammed shut, unwilling to be away from his warmth. With a bit of effort, the raven haired man worked his arms underneath her and raised her off the floor. She tucked her head into his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly.
Tossing Kyle another nod to show he was ready to move, they began their trek across the Rocket base, Misty silently sobbing into Ash's shoulder.
Red walked like a zombie, marching down the hall with a glazed look in his eye. His thoughts had long since left his immediate area, following a train of thoughts he couldn't control. A few minutes ago he noticed the other two weren't behind him anymore, and his anger flared. After following them carefully, following Giovanni, infiltrating the base, saving Ash, watch him tear apart his younger brother, and then start helping them find the blue haired girl, they left him like that?!
Returning to the moment he spotted Ash clawing at Giovanni's chest with his fingernails, tearing into the flesh with a rage unlike Red had ever seen, he slowed his walking and began his zombie like state. His son had killed his younger brother…unknowingly, but still…
"Reddy" a six year old Giovanni called out, catching his older brothers attention, "let's play with Meowth"!
Their mother's Meowth was curled up on the front porch, napping peacefully in the afternoon sun of Pallet Town.
"I'll get it's tail" Red said back, "you tickle it ok"?
"Ok"!
Carefully they snuck up the the sleeping Pokemon, and Red silently stretched his arms out.
"NOW" Red shouted, grabbing the tail and awakening the Meowth.
It meowed loudly, but Giovanni lurched forward wiggling his fingers across the cat's belly. The Pokemon squirmed wildly, giggling as it did so, but Red was not letting go.
"Not today Meowthy" Giovanni gleamed with giddiness, "your caught this time"!
It meowed more, wiggling harder but laughing harder too.
"Boys" their mother's voice rang from the kitchen, "lunch time"!
"Ok mom" Red called back, finally letting go of Meowth who proceeded to sprint into the house.
Giggling, Giovanni grabbed his brother's hand, "we caught him today! Weee! Someday I'm going to have my own Meowth"!
"We'll make sure of it" Red chuckled at his younger brother, swinging the front door open for them to go eat.
Any hope he had of getting his brother back from whatever evil had twisted his mind was gone. Collapsing to the tile, Red placed his forehead against it and felt tears welling up inside of him.
"We're so sorry Mr. Ketchum" the officer said apologetically, "we've been unable to locate a body, and its been weeks. We have to call off the search".
"UNACCEPTABLE" Red's father roared, stepping towards the police man on his porch, "the river flows downstream right? Follow the damn riverbanks"!
"Sir" the officer tried gently, "we have. Those are tricky waters, and a six year old could have been swept miles away in a few hours. There's just nothing more we can do".
"GET OFF OF MY PROPERTY THIS INSTANT! YOU USELESS SON OF A BITCH"!
The officer sighed as Red's father stormed back into the house with a slam that cracked the wooden door along the hinge.
Giovanni hadn't even known his family was still out there, looking for him after all this time. Never knew that Red had left his new family, his title, his entire life, to follow a lead on him.
"Master Red" Agatha called, catching the new Champion of Kanto's attention.
He was sitting at his desk, twirling an envelope in his hands over and over. Going over the contents again and again in his head, that is until Agatha entered his office.
"Yes Agatha, what is it" he asked, dropping the envelope on his desk and standing up.
"I have someone here to meet you" the older lady explained, opening the door further to allow a teenager with flaming red hair to enter, "he has proven himself multiple times over, and appears to be on the fast track to wanting your title".
Red eyed the teen carefully as they entered into the center of his office, making the boys face turn the same color as his hair.
"Is that so" Red cracked a smile, "what's your name"?
"Lance" the teenager said confidently, going against the color of his face, "and I will take your title, sir".
Red laughed out loud, making Agatha smile at Lance's bewildered expression.
"You remind me of my son" Red chuckled.
"Is he trying for your title too"?
"No, no. At least not yet" the Champion explained, "he's only four, but has determination like I've never seen".
Lance squinted a little, appearing to miss the connection about how he reminded this man of a four year old. Red cast a look down to the envelope he dropped on his desk, and gave a long sigh, "tell you what kid. I have to leave, so when you take on the Elite Four, just beat Agatha and you're the new Champ".
"What" both Agatha and Lance exclaimed incredulously, only Agatha continued, "Master Red, you can't be serious"?
"I am Ags" he replied, picking up the envelope and pocketing it, "I've just gotten news that I can't ignore, I have to go".
Agatha opened her mouth to argue, but Red's mind was made up and there was no stopping him. Printed on that letter inside the envelope was a lead to his brother, who up until today he thought was dead.
Sitting up swiftly, Red smacked himself across the face. He left everything, EVERYTHING, behind to find his brother…and now HIS son had murdered him. Tore him apart like it was nothing! Suddenly, a revelation he didn't even know his subconscious was working on, slammed into him. Delia was dead….that explained clearly why Ash acted the way he did back at Indigo. Red scowled harshly…how dare his son be angry at him when HE let his mother perish. At least Red had left only to find his brother, and hopefully make their family whole again. Now….his son hated him, his brother was ripped to shreds, and the woman he loved was gone from this world…
Standing up furiously, Red marched onward. FUCK that blue haired girl, FUCK the Rocket's in the base, and FUCK anyone else! They could all rot in Hell as far as he was concerned. Rounding into another hall, he came face to face with a doorway and was about to throw it open in rage, but stopped. If there were Rocket's on the other side, he most certainly didn't want to alert them. Silently he turned the knob and opened the door.
Good thing too, because he was standing in the building's garage as dozens of Rocket's loaded cargo into trucks. Quickly he ducked behind a few large crates and listened. Random conversations here and there, complaining about what they were doing, but wait! What was that noise? He'd heard it before…a cry, a shriek from something angry and bloodthirsty. Peaking around the edge of the crate, he searched for the source, and found it. Those mutant Sandshrew! They were being loaded into the back of a moving van, shrieking as they went.
Red had an idea…rushing forward as the Rocket loading the creatures turned his back, Red flew into the van, and crouched behind some of the crates in the back. He was consumed in darkness as the door was slid closed and the Sandshrew sniffed the air, smelling fresh blood so close by. The van's engine fired up, and jolted forward as it began to drive. It might take a long time to fulfill this idea of his, but Red was filled with a new sense of determination to see it through.
Dawn huddled against the far wall of her cell, her hands covering her ears to attempt and block out the wailing alarm. Her two guards had their fingers shoved deep in theirs, grumbling while glaring at the bluenette. What was she going to do?! Misty had yet to come back, and now the base seemed to be under attack of some kind.
"What do you think" she heard one of her guards ask the other.
"I say we ditch this place, maybe take the girl with us"?
"Are you crazy?! The boss will kill us"!
"If we stay here we're dead anyway! What do you think the odds are that it's those fuckin creatures attacking us? Do you wan't to stay and find out"?
"No, you're right".
"So grab the girl, and let's go"!
The cell door swung open, and Dawn flew into panic mode. They wanted to TAKE her! God knows what they would do with her…
Rough hands gripped her shoulders, and Dawn sprung into action, removing her hand from her ear and gripping the Grunt's face with her fingernails digging into his skin. He howled in pain, but let her go, and she attempted to rush past him. A heavy arm swung down, wrapping around her midsection and yanked her back. The other guard rushed into the cell when she fought, and reached out for her hair, gripping it in a massive handful that ripped some from their roots.
She yelped in pain, and twisted herself sharply, hoping to slip from their grips. This did not work, and only succeeded in pulling more of her hairs from her scalp. The Grunt's hissed and cursed, but Dawn couldn't hear what they said. She squeaked, yelped and cried, fighting as hard as her petite frame would allow.
A fist connected with her gut, pain shot through her torso, and the breath in her lungs escaped with a huff. Her arm twisted behind her back, and a forceful hand gripped the back of her head and pressed her face into the wall. One of the Grunt's pushed his body up against her, hissing in her ear, "listen bitch, you only have two options. Come with us peacefully, or die-".
His hot breath against her face swept away in a surprised squawk, and his body removed itself from her, followed by a thud against the other wall.
Turning her head back to see the other Grunt growl in rage and throw a fist at a figure just out of her line of sight, she spotted the thrown Rocket rising to his feet scowling. A loud crack pierced over the alarm and the standing Grunt screeched in pain, then he spun like a rag doll as Dawn's savior threw another punch into the man. Facing the fight fully, she couldn't help the surprise coming from her voice, "Lance"!
The Grunt he just punched saved himself from hitting the floor, but was holding his wrist with agony. Lance ducked a swing from the other Rocket, and slammed the butt of his rifle into the man's chest, then twirled rapidly, kicking the Grunt's feet out from under him.
BANG! BANG!
Dawn jerked back harshly as Lance aimed his rifle and fired two clean shots through both Rocket's, leaving bloddy holes in their temple. Quickly, he moved back to the cell door and aimed down both directions of the hallway. Once he was satisfied the coast was clear, he turned his gaze to Dawn, who was watching the Champion with wide eyes.
"Let's go" he said, extending his hand towards her, "Ash and Misty are already on their way out with Kyle".
She let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding, and took his hand. He pulled her up to him, and said, "stay right behind me, don't go anywhere else"!
Nodding to show she understood, she gripped his cape with her fingers, and Lance re-aimed the rifle ahead of him. Then they were off, sprinting down the narrow corridor containing multiple cells. Dawn didn't look left or right, not wanting to see a sight that would cause her to stop, so she kept her focus on the back of Lance's flaming red hair.
Lance slammed his shoulder into the exit, and they banged out into brightly lit hall. Out here the alarm was much louder, and Dawn winced from the overbearing sound. Going the opposite direction from where he came, Lance turned right and sprinted.
They rounded a corner, and with a yelp as he spotted a squad of Rocket's, Lance immediately threw himself back as they fired their rifles. Dawn screamed as the barrage of bullets lined the wall in front of them. Lance ducked, gripping Dawn's wrist and pulling her down too, just in case a bullet decided to pierce through the drywall. Good thing too, because one did and sprinkled the drywall dust across their hair.
How many were there? SHIT! He didn't have time to check, so he couldn't pop out without knowing. There was another hall back a ways, and retreat would be a very viable option right now. Hoping they would be gone before the Grunt's decided to check if they were still there waiting to ambush them, Lance motioned silently for Dawn to go back. She quickly understood, and now she was the one leading the way as they retreated back down the hall.
Bayleef and Snivy stood guard with a glare in their eye as Kyle worked behind them. They had ran into a locked door, and after following a few directions that were posted back a few halls, Kyle assumed this would be the garage. So he set to work lock picking the door while Ash cradled Misty, whispering something to her Kyle could not hear. Sensing the situation, Ash's two grass Pokemon released themselves and offered to guard their rears. Thank God he had found their PokeBalls.
Muttering a curse under his breath as he dropped his knife, Kyle swiped it up and set back to work. For the duration of their walk, Misty had not uttered a single word, or even had the slightest muscle twitch. Kyle wondered what could have possibly happened to make her this way, but decided it would be best not to ask. It wasn't his place to know anyway. Click! The lock undid and the door swung open. Awesome! Followed by the sounds of multiple rifles being aimed their direction. Not awesome!
The room before them was the garage alright, but it was packed with Rocket Grunt's loading crates and other pieces of cargo into the back of trucks and vans. Since Kyle had let the door swing open with a thud, every Rocket was now alerted to their presence.
Ash, who had been distant in his own thoughts, was pulled back to reality. The rifles continued to aim at them, and his eyes darted from Rocket to Rocket. There were too many for Bayleef and Snivy to deal with safely, or any of his Pokemon for that matter, and Kyle certainly didn't have enough ammunition to take them all out either.
A higher ranking Rocket stepped forward and began to shout, "FIR-".
Kyle whipped his rifle forward, taking aim, Ash started to turn his back to the door, shielding Misty with himself, Bayleef and Snivy rushed to stand between the Rocket's and their trainer, but Misty uttered one word in barely more than a whisper. "Gyarados".
From Ash's pocket a PokeBall burst open and consumed them in the flash of light. In the next second as it died down, the water Dragon emerged inside the garage, shaking the room with its deafening roar. The Rocket's flinched, taking a few steps back as Gyarados leered around the room, growling from the back of its throat. Then with another quaking roar, it launched a HydroPump at the Grunt's. They shrieked and tried to run as the torrent of water slammed into them, sending them hurtling into the wall.
The lead Rocket rose to his feet, sopping wet, but shouted, "KILL THAT THING"!
Two more flashes of light erupted from Ash's pocket, and Staryu materialized in a Rapid Spin of a light brown blur, heading straight for the Rocket's. Psyduck appeared beside Gyarados and called out in rage, which fell on deaf ears from Gyarados' roars. Staryu bounced from Rocket to Rocket, spinning its way into their chests and knocking them down, their rifles clattering away. As on lone Grunt scrambled to reclaim his, he lifted off the ground with a purple hue around him.
"DUCK" Psyduck called, and the man launched into the side of a truck, crumpling to a heap on the floor.
Bayleef and Snivy dove into the fight, whipping their vine whips against the legs of the few Rocket's who made it to their feet. Flipping them into the air and sending them back to the floor with a crunch. Gyarados opened its mouth wide, charging a massive orange ball, and bellowed as the HyperBeam exploded down towards the Grunt's.
BOOM!
Dust kicked into the air, the ground quaked beneath their feet, and Kyle lowered his rifle in shock and awe. The Rocket's were no longer moving, dead or not, Kyle didn't want to know.
"Well…that works" he said with a weak sense of his humor, and moved further into the garage.
Ash stood dumbstruck, everything had happened so fast, less than twenty seconds. Gyarados turned its giant head to glare down at Ash, watching him carefully as he held Misty close to him. A low growl rumbled in the back of the Water Dragon's throat, and Ash quickly said, "she's safe now! You know I wouldn't hurt her".
"Come on guys" Kyle called from beside the driver door of a jeep, "we gotta get a move on"!
Jerking himself into motion, Ash quickly stepped fully into the garage and headed for the vehicle Kyle was now currently hot-wiring. Bayleef nuzzled him with a soft "Bay" as he walked by her. Snivy remained on guard, dutifully glaring at each doorway.
Reaching the jeep, Ash moved to the passenger door, and with a little struggling he was able to open it without setting Misty down. He turned himself awkwardly so as to place her in the seat, and as he went to let go her hand shot out, gripping his shirt tight.
"No" her voice came out no more than a whisper, and Ash leaned in close to whisper back, "I have to recall our Pokemon, I'm not going far, I promise".
Unwillingly, her fingers let his shirt slip through them, and Ash reached into his pocket for their PokeBalls. He recalled Gyarados first, which turned out to be a wise choice as the furthest door burst open with a bang, and Lance sprinted into the garage with Dawn right behind him.
The noise caused Kyle to aim his rifle at Lance, and the unrecalled Pokemon to turn ready to attack him. Seeing them all, Lance skid to a stop, causing Dawn to smack in between his shoulder blades, "WHOA! It's just us"!
"Christ Lance, I nearly shot you" Kyle huffed, lowering his rifle.
"You won't have too if we don't get out of here right now" Lance retorted, moving forward once again, "there's a squadron on our ass".
"That would be our queue to go then" the blonde muttered loudly, and returned his attention to hot wiring the vehicle.
Dawn sprinted up to Ash, tackling him into a brief hug, ignoring the now caking blood he was covered in, "I'm so glad your alright! Where's Misty?! Is she safe"?!
He opened his mouth to answer her, but found he couldn't. Sure they were safe, but far from alright, so he simply motioned to the passenger door of the truck and returned to his task of recalling their Pokemon. Dawn watched him with uncertainty, because his behavior was very un-Ash like. She slowly turned to the door as Ash returned Bayleef, and cautiously stepped forward.
A gasp escaped her lips as Misty came into view…she was a mess. Her clothes were severely ruffled and stained with blood, which was also smeared across her face. Orange hair splayed randomly, frizzy and tattered, her arm was bent at an awkward angle as she held it close, and the broken look in her eye brought Dawn to tears.
"Oh Misty….".
The red head didn't acknowledge she had heard the bluenette, bringing more tears to her eyes.
"What did that monster do to you"?
This seemed to have a response, as Misty inhaled sharply at the mention of Giovanni, her eyes began to water, and she stiffened more so than seemed possible. Dawn's insides churned, she couldn't stand to see her friend like this! Misty was always so strong, so fiery! Always able to take on the world, and what life threw at her, but this….something terribly bad had happened.
The jeep's engine sputtered for a moment, then roared to life, unfortunately also alerting the searching squadron of Rocket's. Their shouts echoed down the hall Lance and Dawn had come from, causing the Champion to order, "TIME TO GO"!
Ash recalled the last of Misty's Pokemon, turning as the Rocket's burst into the room, rifles ready to fire. A torrent of anger burst from his heart, drowning out Lance's command, or Kyle's agreement. Drowning out the need to flee. Drowning out the clicking of rifles as they pointed straight at him….Rocket's…blood….Darkness….KILL!
"ASH"!
The voice was muffled, barely penetrating through, but it was enough. Dawn shouted his name once more, and the world snapped back into place just as the Rocket's opened fire. Instincts kicking in, Ash dove and rolled across the concrete, rising to his feet in a fluid motion and sprinting for the jeep.
Lance swung himself into the back as Kyle crawled into the driver seat and threw the vehicle in gear. Once Ash began to run, Dawn pulled her tiny frame up into the jeep and slammed the door behind her, ducking her head for stray bullets.
The whistles, and pings of bullets flying by him only propelled him to move faster. Because DAMMIT, Ash was not about to die while Misty still needed him. A sharp sting struck across his calf, but he ignored it and pressed on.
Kyle floored the gas pedal while holding the brake, filling the garage with echoing squeals even the alarms couldn't overpower. Lance's hand reached out for Ash as he neared, only to be pulled back as a bullet struck the metal frame near his head.
His heartbeat was pounding in his head now….kill….run….blood….Misty….Darkness…..NO! Ash leaped forward, and Lance's hand shot out once more, clasping onto his like a vice.
"GO" the Dragon Master roared, and Kyle let off the brake. Ash was only halfway in when the jeep lurched forward from the built up tension, and slammed into the garage door, splintering it to pieces as they crashed through it into the afternoon sun. He pulled himself all the way into the back, and collapsed on the floor, breathing heavily, and feeling the burn in his muscles.
"Oh my God" came Dawn's distressed voice, "Ash you've been shot"!
Once the words were said, it was like activating the worst stinging sensations he could ever imagine….in three different spots! Opening his eyes he immediately spotted the three bullet holes. One on his calf, his left arm, and right shoulder.
"I don't see an exit wound" Lance's voice spoke in his ear, muffled and distant, "Dawn-".
Sound stopped, and two pairs of hands touched him, but Ash was unable to feel where as he blacked out.
I enjoy having Kyle involved in things because I get to use some humor in places haha. It's a nice contrast to the overall dark tone of everything else, and I hope I'm mixing the two well.
Next chapter will follow along with the other group at Shamouti, and I can guarantee that after that chapter, things will simmer down a bit. It won't be so fast paced for a little while, but certainly still expect some heavy stuff to flow our guy's directions.
Until next time!