Chapter 5
4/12/0046/Morning
Route 30
Blake and 'Carol' walked along the thin dirt pathway, not a single wild Pokemon or human in sight.
"Why's it so empty here?" Blake asked out loud.
"Team Rocket probably scared off all the Pokemon and trainers while they were going back so I guess the Pokemon must returning right now." 'Carol' explained.
A nearby splash gained Cyndaquil and Larvitar's attention, both the small Pokemon leaving Blake and 'Carol', disappearing into the thick bushes surrounding the dirt road.
"Where are they going?" 'Carol' asked, half expecting an answer from Blake who didn't reply, following his Pokemon into the bushes. Eventually they found Larvitar and Cyndaquil hiding a thick bush, watching a group of five Pokemon that looked exactly the same chat in front of a small lake.
The Pokemon had a small blue body with a large red lips beneath the eyes. Covering its stomach was white circle with a black swirl. Its small body stood on two small feet and it possessed a large white tail, its body lacking a pair of arms and hands.
"A Poliwag, just was I was looking for." Blake noted, looking down at Cyndaquil and Larvitar before remembering that they had the type disadvantage. "Hmm, both of you are at a disadvantage here."
Larvitar was well aware of the type disadvantage, but Cyndaquil charged out the bushes, igniting the flames on its back. Four of the five Poliwags became frightened by Cyndaquil's actions and jumped back into the pond that was behind them.
The remaining Poliwag stood in Cyndaquil's path, waiting for it.
"Poliwag!" It shouted, beating its stomach with its tail making a small, drum like noise.
"Cyndaquil!" Blake shouted at the small Pokemon, joining it.
"Cynda!" It said back, focusing on Poliwag.
"Alright Cyndaquil, we'll give it a shot. Use Quick Attack." Blake ordered, pointing at Poliwag.
Cyndaquil shot forward, rushing toward Poliwag who side stepped Cyndaquil's frontal attack. Poliwag opened its small red lips, releasing a blast of water that hit Cyndaquil as it realized it had missed Poliwag, pushing Cyndaquil a small distance before it landed on the ground.
"Cyndaquil, are you okay?" Blake asked, running over Cyndaquil who getting up from the ground already, giving him a nod. "I want you to build up as much heat around yourself as you can."
"Cynda!" It shouted, the flames on its back growing like it had in Cherrygrove City, but this time, Blake could feel the heat radiating off its body.
"Woah." Blake exclaimed, stepping back from Cyndaquil. "Even more Cyndaquil!"
'I wonder what this is?' 'Carol' looked on curiously.
Poliwag opened its lips again, releasing a steady stream of water that flew toward Cyndaquil, ready to finish it off. The heat coming from Cyndaquil's body reached the maximum temperature about four inches beyond Cyndaquil's body, the air in that space becoming tinted red in a small dome around Cyndaquil. When the water came into the contact with the dome, the intense heat caused it to evaporate immediately, creating a mist around Cyndaquil.
"Poli?" The small Water type Pokemon said in confusion since it at lost sight of Cyndaquil in the mist.
"Alright, now use Quick Attack!" Blake shouted.
Cyndaquil burst out the mist, the dome of heat around beginning to fade as it rushed toward Poliwag. Cyndaquil smashed itself into Poliwag, the fading dome of heat inflicting a heavy burn on Poliwag while knocking the small blue Pokemon into the pond creating a splash of water.
When Poliwag resurfaced, its eyes were replaced with black swirls telling Blake this was his chance to catch it. Blake took one of the four Poke-balls off his belt and threw it at the floating water Pokemon, the front of the Poke-ball hitting Poliwag on the head, opening up as Poliwag became a shapeless red flash that jumped into the Poke-ball.
The Poke-ball flew back to Blake which he caught, the device shaking his hand a few times before a low hum came from the ball meaning Poliwag had been successfully captured.
"Nice Cyndaquil." Blake said, approaching at the Fire type Pokemon that was currently resting on its stomach, breathing heavily.
'Interesting. He said he only got that Cyndaquil a few days ago, but creating a move like that could only mean one thing.' 'Carol' said to herself mentally as she walked over to Blake, congratulating him on his successful capture of Poliwag. 'Golden Pair.'
Blake thanked her with a neutral expression, spraying Cyndaquil with a Potion to heal the damage done during the battle. Once Cyndaquil was on its feet again, Larvitar approached it, glaring at the Fire type who returned it without a second thought. Blake watched them with mild interest before Larvitar offered Cyndaquil a hand shake which it accepted before the two of them climbed back onto Blake's shoulders.
"Umm, is that normal?" 'Carol' asked, motioning toward the two Pokemon.
"Is what normal?" Blake asked in a deadpan, heading toward the pathway they had left. "Come on, let's keep moving."
"Blake, the pathway is this way!" 'Carol' called out since the boy was once again headed in the wrong direction.
Cherrygrove City
Mari stood behind her mother who was seated around a table where many of the important figures of Cherrygrove City sat as well.
"Face it, it's all over." The mayor began. "There's no way this debt can be paid off now. The Committee is already displeased with how are payments have been, and now it won't be a problem for them to walk into our town and clear us out. We're better off moving out the town."
"No!" Mari shouted, getting everyone's attention. "I was born and raised in this town. I just watched it burn to the ground and there's no way I'm going to leave it now!"
"My daughter Mari has offered to give all the money she earns in the Battle Circuit to the towns funds to help out with the debt." Mari's mother jumped in realizing her daughter's outburst wasn't the response anyone wanted.
"Why is she here?" The mayor asked.
"She followed me here sir. She loves this town like the rest of us, and she really doesn't want to see it disappear and become replaced by a Battle Dome." Mari's mother explained.
"I know what you want...Mari, was it?" The mayor said, unsure of her name at the moment. "All of us feel the same way, but there's no way for us to pay of the debt and keep the town. If we can't even rebuild it than the Committee has the right to take Town Charter and force us to move out."
"Town Charter?" Mari said in confusion.
"The kid doesn't even know that is?" One of the adults whispered to the person sitting next to them.
"Yes. A Town Charter gives us the ability to run the town by ourselves without having to check everything with the Committee first. It's only given to towns that refuse to build a Battle Dome but we have to pay to keep it, and we've fallen into a deep debt because of it and now we may have to give it up and move out the town." The mayor explained.
"What if we did manage to pay it off?" Mari asked.
"We keep the town. But all the money we make combined won't even put a dent in the debt not to mention we still have to find the money to rebuild the town." The mayor said.
"But we can't just give up the town." Mari pleaded.
"We're not. We've managed the keep the Town Charter for over ten years with the income this town had. We were fighting a losing battle and it seems like it has finally come to its end."
"Can't we try to negotiate something with them? Maybe just a few more months." Mari said, looking around the table, hoping someone would agree.
"How about we try that. What've we got to loose. Our homes are gone, we've all got no money and the Committee is on there way to kick us out." The Bankteller said out loud with a laugh.
"Heh, I guess you're right." The Poke-mart manager said. "Let's see what we can get before we go."
Mari was almost happy that they were at least trying, but she also felt hopeless since none of them actually thought any good would come from this final effort.
4/13/0046/Noon
Entrance to Violet City
Blake causally strolled past the city guard that was stationed at the entrance Violet City, his headphones covering his ears which resulted in him missing what the guard had said to him.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Blake asked, glaring at the man after he grabbed his arm, pulling him back causing Cyndaquil to slip off his head.
"Where do you think you're going?" The guard asked once Blake took his headphones off his ears.
"Where does it look like I'm going?" Blake asked in return.
"Who do think you're talking too kid? Trouble makers like you shouldn't be able to run around free with Pokemon. They all should be behind bars." The guard said, snapping his fingers.
"You're getting on my nerves." Blake growled, glaring at him. "Let me pass."
"Or what?" The guard said, towering over Blake.
"Cyndaquil." Was all Blake said since the guard had caused Cyndaquil to fall off his head. The Fire type Pokemon got back on its feet, igniting the flames on its back.
"Is that a threat?"
"I don't know, is it?" Blake asked back, striking a nerve.
"That's it kid, I'm charging you with insubordination to an authority figure!" The guard said, reaching out to grab Blake who jumped backward.
"It's people like you that annoy me the most. You're all dumba...!" 'Carol' clamped her hand down on Blake's mouth, preventing him from finishing his sentence.
"Sorry, my cousin here has a bit of a smart mouth." 'Carol' said, pulling Blake. "We're traveling to Violet City from Cherrygrove."
"License or some form of ID." The guard said, raising his hand.
"Sure." 'Carol' said, taking out her Battle Circuit License while Blake muttered something under his breath before taking out his Pokedex.
The guard checked their photos before returning their items.
"Everything seems to be in order." He said, stepping out of their path. "Sorry about earlier, but the attack on Cherrygrove City has everyone tightening up the security."
"It's no problem." 'Carol' said with a pleasant smile as she walked past the guard, dragging Blake along with her followed by Cyndaquil. "Have a nice day."
'Carol' waved at the guard, letting go of Blake.
"What do you think you're doing? Everyone's on edge about Team Rocket, and when you do stuff like that, you'll get yourself in trouble." 'Carol' whispered to Blake.
"Like you're one to talk." Blake responded, taking the lead. "I have work to do."
"Not so fast. First you have to meet up with my friend." 'Carol' called out.
"That's not going to happen." Blake replied.
"You owe me one. If it wasn't for me, you'd be getting dragged downtown for questioning right now." 'Carol' said, keeping up with Blake's pace.
"And?"
"Well I guess I could always go back to the guard and tell him to take you away."
"Bluff." Blake replied, getting a smirk from 'Carol' who took a deep breath of air.
"Hey officer-ahh!" 'Carol' yelped in pain as Blake stomped his heel down on her foot to shut her up.
"Fine." Blake muttered, getting a chuckle from 'Carol'.
Violet City
The city was kind of big on Johto standards with multiple landmarks for the Johto Region like the famed Sprout Tower that survived through the Dark Days. Violet City is also the host to the Pokemon Academy and a Battle Dome. The town was once traditional but it was completely destroyed during the Dark Days and then rebuild into a more urban city with tall buildings.
At the edge of the northern side of the city was the famous Sprout Tower. The tower was a rarity, visited by travelers and trainers from across the world to see the moving beam that was the sole support piece for the entire tower. It was made up of four floors, the first being devoted to the public while the other three were for the Monks who once lived there in the Old Days and passed down their traditions through the Dark Days that are still upheld today.
Blake and 'Carol' approached the tall tower, entering through the large wooden doors to see a huge open room that was scarce on people. At the center of the room of the was a tall wooden beam that went straight form the floor to the ceiling through a fenced of area, swaying back and forth at a very slow tempo, creaking as it moved.
"Ah, there he is." 'Carol' said, looking at the tall dark skinned male that was wearing a red button up dress shirt and a pair of black jeans. "Stanly!"
Stanly looked around the room for a moment before spotting 'Carol' at the entrance. He motioned for her to come over which she did, dragging Blake along with her.
"I was wondering if I'd find you Shari." He said, using her actual name and not the name she was given to go under cover within Team Rocket. "Do you have any news?"
"No 'Hi Shari, how are you doing?' or 'How've you been Shari since you've been surrounded by criminals?'" Shari said in annoyance since Stanly had skipped the formalities as usual.
"Oh I'm sorry, good afternoon Miss Shari, how are you doing on this fine day?" Stanly asked.
"Don't get me started. Team Rocket thugs are total losers. My partner is a nuisance. And I've been dragging this brat around with me." Shari explained, motioning to Blake who was standing behind her, his headphones covering his ears while Cyndaquil sat on his head.
"Ugh, tell me about it." Stanly said, rolling his eyes while stepping to the right, revealing Grace who stood behind him, her ear buds in her ears as well.
"Grace is with you?" Shari asked, glancing at the silent girl who couldn't hear her.
"Yeah. I brought her along just to get her out of Indigo Plateau." Stanly said. "Anyway, who's that?"
"This is Blake. I met him in Cherrygrove City during the attack. He managed to beat my Slugma and my partners Ekans and Raticate." Shari explained.
"Do you think he'll be useful?" Stanly asked.
"On Route 30, he battled a Poliwag and created a variation of Flame Wheel on the spot with his Cyndaquil. I believe their a Golden Pair."
"Oh really?"
"I think he might be helpful for going undercover inside Team Rocket. But I brought him here because I think we should test him before we try anything."
"A battle with the Grand Elder. I can arrange for that." Stanly said, thinking about the idea. "How long has he been a trainer?"
"He came from New Bark Town with some newish Pokemon so just a few days ago.
"Hmm, the Grand Elder might be a bit much for him."
"Let him battle the Grand Elder, win or lose it's just a test."
"Alright. I'll ask him." Stanly said. "So Shari, any news?"
"Yes, big news." Shari replied. "Team Rocket is hatching a plan but I can't get in any deeper to learn more. The only think I can say right now is that Team Rocket is planning another attack on Azalea Town in a few weeks."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious. I don't know what their target is, but I wasn't put on the roster for that mission so I probably won't find anything else."
"Alright then, I'll leave this one to Grace...and if he's any good, I'll add in Blake."
"Hang on, there's more. In Goldenrod City, the Team Rocket Recruitment Center is located in that city."
"What good will that do?"
"Well I was hoping you'd give me an extra set of eyes inside Team Rocket. They're to big for me to keep track of everything by myself." Shari explained.
"Okay Shari. I'll send Grace after she goes to Azalea Town. Shari, send alerts to Committee members in Azalea Town to get ready."
"Just the Committee members? Why not the whole town?"
"I don't want a frenzy across the region. Everyone wants to hurt Team Rocket and I don't want thousands of trainers packed into one place waiting for them. That would give away the fact that someone is on the inside." Stanly said with a wink.
"Right, only the Committee members."
"Anything else Shari?"
"Nope. I have to get on the move and report back to Goldenrod City. See ya." She said, leaving the group, giving Stanly a quick wave.
"Alright Blake, now it's your turn."
Route 30
"Totodile, use Water Gun!" Robbie shouted, pointing at the Pidgey that was perched on a tree branch above them.
Totodile opened its mouth, releasing a stream of water that the Pidgey noticed and avoided before it was hit, taking flight. Pidgey flapped its wings, hovering in the air above Totodile and Robbie, looking down at them before dive bombed Totodile.
Totodile sidestepped to the right, avoiding Pidgey's sudden attack, but just before Pidgey hit the ground, it spread its wings, halting its decent. From that position, Pidgey used Quick Attack, rushing after Totodile, ramming itself into Totodile.
"Totodile, hold your ground." Robbie said, watching as Totodile placed both its hands on Pidgey's wings, holding the spot it was standing in. "Now, Bite!"
Totodile opened up its mouth, revealing full set of teeth. Totodile chomped down on Pidgey, wiping out all of its health with that one attack.
"Nice Totodile." Robbie said, as Totodile dropped Pidgey, giving him a thumbs up.
Robbie and Totodile had been walking along the Route for two days now, but he had been battling as many wild Pokemon as he could since he was preparing for his Battle Circuit debut.
"First comes my debut, then I'll crush Blake at the Rookie Kings, and then straight to the Johto Title." Robbie shouted, pointing up at the sky.
Sprout Tower
Blake stood inside the large room on the top floor of Sprout Tower, looking across the room at the aged, bald headed man was observing him quietly. He was clad only in a large brown robe with a white belt around his waist which set him apart from the rest of the Monks that lived in Sprout Tower who wore a black belt.
"Ah, so you're the person Stanly told me about." The Elder said, looking at Blake, placing his left hand on his long gray beard.
"Skip the greetings, let's battle." Blake said to him, getting a bright smile from the Elder.
"So much excitement the young ones have. Noctowl, let's go." The Elder said, pulling out a Poke-ball out of his right sleeve, chucking it into the air.
The Poke-ball released a brown Owl Pokemon. Blake threw a Poke-ball into the air as well, releasing Larvitar from its Poke-ball. The small green Pokemon yawned, stretching a bit before observing Noctowl.
'Rock Throw has been sealed off with the location, but I think we can pull this off.' Blake noted. "Larvitar, start off with Bite."
"Noctowl, dodge it." The Elder said, watching his Pokemon take flight. Larvitar missed Noctowl by a long shot since it got into the air long before it even got close to the Owl Pokemon.
"Noctowl, use Confusion." The Elder ordered, the uni-brow like object above its eyes turning a bright blue, a light blue outline forming around Larvitar. "Now use Wing Attack."
Larvitar was lifted into the air by an unknown force as Noctowl began to fly toward it, spreading out its wings. Blake looked around any moves he could make but none of those plans would result in Larvitar getting away safely.
"Use Bite once the Wing Attack connects Larvitar." Blake said. Noctowl slammed its right wing into Larvitar's stomach, the Flying Type attack doing a little damage, but Larvitar hung onto Noctowl's wing and opened its mouth, revealing a pair of white fangs that had grown into its mouth for this attack.
Larvitar sunk its teeth into Noctowl's wing, disabling its appendage. Noctowl began to descend to the ground at an uncontrollable speed since it could no longer maintain the low altitude it was previously flying at. Noctowl crashed into the ground, Larvitar landing on the ground with a soft thud since Noctowl cushioned its fall.
'Hmm, a fast thinker.' The Elder said to himself, watching as Larvitar observed Noctowl who hadn't moved yet. "Noctowl, Confusion."
Larvitar was surprised to see another blue outline form around it again. Once again, Larvitar was lifted into the air as Noctowl rose to its feet, unable to fly now, the unibrow above its eyes completely blue like earlier.
Larvitar was sent spiraling to the floor, crashing with a thud that created few small cracks in the floor.
'Grr, Larvitar's paralyzed like that.' Blake said to himself, watching as Larvitar was lifted into the air again before it was sent to the floor again, widening the cracks in the floor. 'I was hoping to get some more practice with this move first but I guess we need it now.'
Larvitar was lifted into the air again and slammed into the floor.
"That's enough Noctowl, I believe that's enough." The Elder said, the blue outline disappearing from around Larvitar.
"Alright Larvitar, Dark Pulse." Blake said quickly, Larvitar returning to its feet in an instant.
Larvitar put its small hands together, a black halo forming around the spot where its hands were touching. Around the black aura, a purple outline formed meaning the attack was ready, but the black aura remained calm which wasn't how it was supposed to be.
'Darn, we still haven't gotten it down.' Blake mumbled to himself as Larvitar separated its hands, the black aura staying with its right hand. "Go Larvitar."
"Noctowl, Confusion!" The Elder shouted quickly, releasing the attack would finish off Noctowl if it hit.
Larvitar chucked the aura at Noctowl, but as it neared Noctowl, the purple aura was replaced by a blue one, the attack stopping a few inches in front of Noctowl.
"Send it back." The Elder said, surprising Blake.
"Larvitar, dodge it." Blake said, Larvitar barely managing to avoid the attack, but Noctowl raised its left wing, the Dark Pulse stopping in mid air. "Larvitar, run toward Noctowl now."
Noctowl folded down its left wing, the Dark Pulse rushing toward Larvitar from behind.
"Now jump." Blake said, hoping Noctowl and the Elder wouldn't catch on quick enough. Larvitar jumped over Noctowl, landing behind it, the Dark Pulse crashing into Noctowl just as the Elder realized what was happening. "Dark Pulse again."
Noctowl was stunned from the hit, frozen in place while Elder gave it a new command that went unheard by Noctowl. Larvitar charged up another Dark Pulse and smashed it into Noctowl's back, wiping out the rest of its health.
Noctowl dropped to the floor, its eyes replaced with black swirls.
"Excellent young one!" The Elder said, returning Noctowl to its Poke-ball.
Please Review.
And just for anyone who was wondering, when I addressed Shari as 'Carol', that's the name she uses as a member of Team Rocket, but her actual name is Shari. In chapter 3 & 4 since Blake didn't know her actual name, I continued to call her Carol. But for now she's be known as Shari unless she's being spoken to by someone in Team Rocket.
Much thanks to Omega the Omniscient for pointing that out to me.