Chapter Two – Intercepted

~The thing about heroes is that they never get a fair deal. They risk their lives, give their heart and soul for a cause, and still lose it all. The true mark of a hero isn't what he expects to receive for his service, but what he's willing to give to those he protects~

I cradled Pidgeot in my arms as the man with the cold eyes stared us down. I could see in Pidgeot's eyes that he still wanted to fight. He looked so lost in his desire to protect me. The rage in my chest began to build as the man eyed his Golem.

"How well will you fend off the next attack? From the looks of it your Pokémon isn't fainted yet."

I called Pidgeot back to its ball before Golem could launch another strike. I'd be damned if I let this bastard harm him any further. The goons picked themselves off of the ground and gained a second wind as they began to grin now that their ring leader was back.

"Lord Solaris is a one-man army! There isn't a single Pokémon he can't beat!" one of the goons echoed.

"You're gonna get it now! Lord Solaris is the strongest trainer in Kanto!"

Solaris turned immediately toward the man who had said the comment and his icy cold eyes zeroed in on him immediately.

"What did you just say worm?"

He stammered a bit before replying. I could see the sweat forming on his brow as the other goons began to back away from the man. He was left exposed to the man's incoming rage.

"I was just complimenting you on your strength my lord!"

"It would seem as if in your bootlicking you've forgotten who truly deserves our respect and worship. Let me remind you."

Solaris called out a Magmar from its pokéball and set its sights on him.

"Fire blast."

Magmar unleashed an incredible torrent of flames that engulfed the man in seconds as his flesh melted away from his bones and the rocket goons stood in silent horror as the man's screams faded in to oblivion. The harsh orange glow of flame returned as the grass continued to burn around where that man's corpse should have been. Solaris returned his Magmar before setting his gaze to the frightened group of goons as his voice thundered sternly and cut the silence in the air.

"Let that be a lesson for all of you! We all serve and worship our Lady and those who forget of her influence shall join that pile of ashes."

I turned toward uncle Derrick. He was still bound by the ropes the goons had placed him in. I snuck over to him briskly and began prying at the ropes. I freed him and removed the rag in his mouth. I spoke in a hushed tone.

"I want you to get out of here. Don't worry about the Pokémon, I'll find a way to get them back. Just find mom and get her out of here."

His eyes were soft and sad. This man spent a great amount of time teaching me about Pokémon, protecting me from loneliness and harm, and ensuring I had a bright future despite my hardships. Now it was time I did the same for him.

"Your Pokémon are tired. There's no way I could just leave you behind. I appreciate your bravery but I'm not abandoning you."

"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. Leave. I've got this."

He hesitated briefly before relenting. He embraced me quickly before looking in my eyes with stern and almost fatherly resolve.

"Dammit Ryan. You better win. We'll head north to Viridian. Meet up with us after you beat this guy."

Uncle Derrick made a run for it as one of the goons called out his Raticate.

"Stop him with takedown attack!"

The Raticate lunged for Uncle Derrick as I threw myself in the way and was knocked to the ground as Uncle Derrick stopped and gazed at me with the same warm concern he showed when I'd come home from getting bullied at school.

"Just go!" I shouted. "I got this."

Tears formed in his eyes before he finally took my order and ran back through the lab. I struggled to pick myself off of the ground and stand before Team Rocket. Solaris smiled.

"Boss, Professor Willow is escaping." One of the goons whined.

"It's of no consequence. We've got what we needed from him." He grinned turning back to face me. "Consider it a reward for being such a brave little kid."

I clutched a pokéball in my hand as I stood my ground. I called forth my Vaporeon as it emerged from its ball and roared into battle as it stood by my side.

"Let's show this guy why you don't mess with Pallet town Lucy."

Vaporeon nodded resolutely as Solaris sent out an Electrode. I tensed up as we stood against these two powerful opponents.

"Show me the power Professor Willow has entrusted in you! Golem use Rollout, Electrode use Screech!"

Electrode let loose a deafening screech that caused Vaporeon to let down its guard as it desperately tried to cover its ears. Golem took off rolling as the ringing in my ears brought me to my knees. Golem slammed into Vaporeon sending it flying backward. Vaporeon rolled into a recovery as I struggled to be heard over the screech attack.

"Vaporeon stop that screech with a water pulse!"

Vaporeon slammed a large ball of water on the ground as a wave of water rushed toward the Electrode. Solaris ordered Golem to jump in front of it and use protect. A bright green barrier surrounded Golem as the attack bounced off the protective shield and Solaris' eyes lit up with a twisted glee.

"Keep on trying boy!"

"Don't let up Vaporeon! Use Hydro Pump!"

Vaporeon dug its paws into the ground and let loose a powerful torrent of water that collided with Golem and knocked it out in one shot. Solaris grunted in mild annoyance before calling it back to its ball.

"Not bad kid. It's quite the feat to take down one of my Pokémon. Enjoy it while it lasts because that feeling shall be fleeting."

Solaris held out his pokéball and called back his Electrode. He took another pokéball off of his belt and threw it with a wide grin.

"You better use everything you have against me if you want to stop my Dragonite!"

A large and yellow dragon with tiny wings emerged from the ball with a powerful cry as its feet touched ground shaking the earth. I could feel its power from here and I didn't like it.

"We're not backing down now! Use ice beam Vaporeon!"

Vaporeon let loose a chilling blast of icy energy at the Dragonite as Solaris ordered it to use agility. The blast missed and hit the ground as dozens of Dragonite copies surrounded Vaporeon. She looked around in confusion as Solaris ordered Dragonite to use extreme speed. As if his Pokémon wasn't fast enough the copies faded in a blink of an eye and Dragonite attacked my Vaporeon with a flurry of lightning fast punches as it slammed into Vaporeon from every angle until it had punched the will to battle right out of my poor Pokémon. The Dragonite stopped by Solaris' side with a cocky grin. I called Vaporeon back.

"You could send out your whole team but it wouldn't do you any good. We're out of your league kid."

I could feel the frustration and anger welling up inside of me as I struggled to think of how I'd stop that Dragonite. My only Pokémon even close to fast enough to keep up was Gengar but he'd already used a great deal of his power… unless…

"Come on out Gengar!"

Once more I called Gengar back into the fray to lend me his strength. He was noticeably short on breath, but his will to battle still shone strong. He gazed at me and I returned his stare with one of utmost confidence.

"Let's get this guy buddy! Sludge Bomb on the ground!"

Gengar struck the ground with a massive torrent of thick purple sludge that spread out all across the battlefield as Solaris snickered.

"In the air Dragonite!"

Dragonite took to the sky instantly to avoid the toxic spray.

"Your poison field won't do you any good if Dragonite doesn't touch it."

"Who said we wanted him to touch it? Shadow mode Gengar!"

Gengar snickered and merged itself with the ground, becoming one with the shadows and concealing itself with the poison.

"Let's see how much that speed helps you if you can't see us!"

"Dragonite, use dragon tail to knock him out of that poison!"

"Use sucker punch Gengar!"

Dragonite dove for the ground with its tail curved downward for impact and just as it was a few feet away from striking, Gengar emerged from the shroud of sludge and punched Dragonite landing a sharp blow to the face. Dragonite crashed to the ground, sliding through the sludge as I ordered Gengar to use sludge bomb once more.

"Get up you giant fool!"

Dragonite was definitely slowed down as it slipped and slid trying to gain its footing. The attack collided with its side as it was knocked further through the sludge. That attack looked like it landed major damage and when Dragonite recovered it looked noticeably ill. It must've been poisoned from the attack!

"Wrap this battle up with dazzling gleam!"

"That's enough playing around Dragonite, Draco Meteor!"

Gengar prepped to unleash a blinding flash of dragon slaying light when Dragonite rolled over and let out a bright blast of blue energy that exploded in the sky as giant blue meteors fell to the earth and crashed around Gengar, canceling out his attack.

"Gengar no!"

Solaris smiled as the dust settled and Gengar was left fainted amongst the sludge.

"Finish it off."

Dragonite had finally risen and turned its sights on my Gengar as I raced to its side, slipping and tripping in the muck until I fell to his side, shielding him with my body. Dragonite prepared to unleash its next attack when a rock soared through the air and struck Dragonite in the face as it turned toward the source of the minor agitation.

"You leave my son alone!"

My heart sank.

I turned and saw Professor Willow and my mom standing in the doorway of the lab each holding rocks in their hands. My mom was the picture of strength and courage. She always was my hero. Her wisdom, her bravery, her willingness to learn and fight inspired me to become a trainer. I wanted to be as strong as her.

"Wipe them out first. Hyper beam."

"No don't!"

I raced to my feet and tried to stop the attack. Everything happened as if in slow motion. I slid as the tears fell from my eyes and I crashed to the ground as mom shoved the professor out of the way and a cold voice filled the air with one icy sharp word.

"Blizzard."

The hyper beam launched as a cold front from the sky rained down on Dragonite freezing him solid just as the attack engulfed my mom and the lab with a bright explosion as I screamed in agony. Professor Willow was beginning to cry as a woman with snow blonde hair and a white and blue jacket sauntered on to the scene with eyes as frigid as a north wind in December stood facing the frozen Dragonite and Solaris.

"I suggest you retreat before we are forced to play this out any further. If my calculations are correct, that scenario would not end well for you based on these new developments."

A massive bird of ice and snow screeched into the night sky before landing behind the woman and bringing with it a subzero wind and flurry of snow. It stretched its wings out making the woman look like a frozen angel with the demeanor and power to back it up. Professor Willow stared in sorrow and joy as his tears became more prevalent.

"Blanche…"