Author's Note: We haven't updated in over a month? So sorry for the long wait! But here's the next chapter, at last!
Normal POV
Darien stood beside his father, who was sitting behind his desk. A grunt was standing with her head bowed. She was the grunt who had escaped from being captured by Lance, while her partner had been caught. She was very scared. She knew how harsh her boss's punishments could be.
"How could you be so foolish? Do you have any idea what you've done?! Team Rocket could be exposed if the other grunt reveals anything to the police or the Elite Four!" he yelled.
"I-I'm sorry s-sir. It won't happen again." the grunt said nervously.
"You are exactly right. It won't happen again. Scyther...kill her."
Before she could even react, Scyther jumped from behind her and its scythe impaled her from behind, going through her back and out through her chest! A look of shock came over her face as Scyther pulled its scythe out of her body and her lifeless corpse fell to the floor. Blood was pouring from the wound and onto the floor.
"Clean up the blood and dispose of her body." the boss calmly said to the two grunts who were standing by the door, still shocked by what they had seen.
"Why did you do that?" Darien asked.
"It was a suitable punishment for her mistake. Besides, she was just another worthless and expendable grunt." his father replied.
"It was just a mistake, father! She deserved a harsh punishment, yes, but you didn't need to kill her!"
"She had to pay for possibly exposing us. This will also prove to the other grunts that nobody should ever fail me."
"That was proven with Oliver! He failed to capture those kids and you didn't kill him!"
"Well, this will serve as another reminder. She obviously didn't get the message. Besides, as a Pokemon Hunter, Oliver is still of use to me. We have plenty more grunts where she came from."
"It was only her first mistake. You could have done something else to her instead of killing her."
"Darien, it needed to be done. She-"
"It didn't need to be done!" Darien yelled and stormed out of the room.
His father stared at the door. He's starting to slip from my grasp. His conscience is starting to get the better of him. I'll let him live for now, but if he interferes with our plans or proves to be a risk to us, he'll be taken care of.
Darien stood in the hall, calming down. In his mind, a battle was raging. He was being torn between his duty to his father and Team Rocket, and doing what's right.
Why is this happening? I've never felt this way before. In fact, why should I even care about what my father does? It's not like I'm any better. I've killed people and Pokemon in cold blood when they're no longer of any use to me. So why am I feeling like this? It's been going on in my mind ever since my encounter with Adam and the others.
He shook his head and headed to his room. He just needed some time to clear everything from his mind. He went into his room and walked to the dresser. He looked at a picture on the dresser that showed himself holding a small girl in his arms. Seeing this picture reminded him of his run-in with Adam.
When I met my nephew and tried to capture him, I hesitated. They were all scared, I could see the fear in his eyes. Adam...he reminded me of HER. I hesitated because when I looked at Adam, all I could see was her face. It flashed in front of my eyes.
Darien sat there for hours, trying to come to some conclusion about why he was feeling this way. Then his eyes widened in shock as he finally caved in and all of his emotions came flooding out. At last, everything made sense to him.
What have I done?! How could I have been so foolish? I've caused so much pain and misery throughout my life ever since I became a Pokemon Hunter. I've killed and captured people and Pokemon without a second thought.
As his thoughts ran wild, he felt something on his face. He realized that he was crying. He just stayed there, crying, letting it all out. Then he stood up with a look of determination on his face.
It's time for me to redeem myself. I swear on my own grave, I will stop everything that my father has planned!
He then turned on his heel and walked out of his room, a changed man.
Adam's POV
We were walking around Cinnabar Island, looking for the gym.
"When my dad was travelling across Kanto, he had to go to the volcano to battle the gym leader." I said.
"In a volcano? You're kidding. Volcanoes are dangerous places to be." said Michelle.
"Nope, it's the truth. When my dad was here, the gym leader was Blaine. My dad's Charizard was able to beat Blaine's Magmar and he won the badge."
"I think I remember my mom mentioning a volcano once."
"My dad never told me about this gym and I never heard it from your dad, either." said Jason.
"I think we should ask Nurse Joy where the gym is, since we can't find it. It might still be in the volcano..." I trailed. I didn't want to go into a volcano to battle the gym leader.
"I agree,"
We walked to the Pokemon Center and walked up to the front desk.
"Hello. How may I help you?" Nurse Joy asked.
"Where's the gym? I heard that it used to be in the volcano."
"Oh, there's a new gym now. Since Blaine died years ago, a new gym leader was chosen and he built a gym in town. Trainers don't have to travel into the dangerous volcano anymore. It's not too far from here. It's all red, you can't miss it."
"Thank you."
She nodded and we left. We walked for a few minutes and came across a building that looked fairly new. The building was a light tan color with lit torches by the doors. The doors were red and the roof was a fiery orange color.
"This has to be the gym." I said.
"It is, there's the sign." Jason said, pointing.
He was right. The sign was on the corner of the building. It was small, but you could see that it read "Cinnabar Gym".
We walked to the door and I pushed it open. We stepped inside and looked around. The battlefield was red with orange lines marking each side. Golden bowls with fire burning in them were lined around the field, hanging on the walls. It was warm in the gym, suitable for a Fire type gym. Pillars were holding up the ceiling of the gym.
"Well, you look very familiar." a voice said.
Footsteps were heard and a figure emerged from behind one of the pillars. I couldn't believe who the gym leader was.
"Well, I think you know why, Harrison. I'm Adam Ketchum, Ash Ketchum's son." I said. "And these are my friends, Jason and Michelle."
Harrison was a few years older than my dad. His hair was light brown and spiked up in the front and he had blue eyes. He was wearing a long sleeve red shirt and black pants with red sneakers. I knew Harrison thanks to my dad's videos that I had watched. He and my dad had battled in the Johto Pokemon League. Harrison was originally from Hoenn, but was now living here in Kanto.
"We're here for a gym battle. I want to battle you first." Jason said, glancing at me.
I nodded my head, showing that it was okay for Jason to go first.
"Okay, I accept."
Michelle and I went to the stands and sat, waiting.
Jason's POV
Adam and Michelle were sitting in the stands, waiting for the match to start. The referee ran out and stood by the side of the field in the middle.
"So how many Pokemon do you use?" I asked.
"You can choose. I always let my challengers pick." Harrison replied.
"Okay then, two Pokemon."
"Two Pokemon it is."
Harrison took his side of the field and I took my side. I was going to use Golduck and Graveler. Who would Harrison use?
"The battle between the gym leader, Harrison, and the challenger, Jason, will now begin!" the referee cried.
"Graveler, go!" I cried, tossing my Pokeball. Graveler landed on the field and waited.
"Arcanine, go!" Harrison cried, throwing his Pokeball.
So he was using Arcanine. I had an advantage using Graveler, a Rock type against a Fire type.
"You may go first, Jason." Harrison called.
"Okay. Graveler, use Rollout!" I cried.
"Arcanine, use Extreme Speed to avoid it!" Harrison commanded.
Arcanine moved very fast and avoided Graveler.
"It was smart of you to use a Rock Pokemon to battle a Fire Pokemon." said Harrison. "But you forgot that Rock Pokemon are slow and Arcanines are very fast! You can't hit what you can't catch!"
It looked like Harrison had come up with strategies on to deal with Pokemon that have a type advantage over his Fire Pokemon.
"Graveler keep rolling and turn for another chance!" I yelled. Graveler turned its roll around and headed back for another shot at Arcanine.
"Arcanine, get ready." Harrison said, watching as Graveler rolled towards Arcanine. What was he planning? "Jump and use Hyper Beam!" Arcanine jumped up and avoided the Rollout. Graveler rolled out of the attack and Arcanine fired the Hyper Beam at Graveler.
Graveler was hit and fell down from the impact. Normal attacks aren't very effective against Rock Pokemon but Hyper Beam is still a very powerful attack.
"Now use Dig."
What was he planning? Dig wouldn't hurt Graveler very much. Then I remembered something. Graveler could use Earthquake! And I knew that if Earthquake is used against a Pokemon that's using Dig...
"Use Earthquake, Graveler!" I cried. Graveler stomped the ground, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. Arcanine, along with a bunch of rubble, was blasted up through the floor of the gym, leaving a hole in the floor.
"Arcanine!" Harrison said in a worried voice. Arcanine landed on the ground and stood up, shaking the debris off. That attack had done a lot of damage!
"I don't think you were expecting that Graveler could use Earthquake, were you?" I said confidently. "And when the Pokemon is underground, Earthquake does extra damage!"
"I admit, I took a risk assuming that Graveler didn't know Earthquake. But I won't make that mistake again!" Harrison replied.
"Use Flamethrower!" he said, continuing the battle.
"Dodge and use Rock Throw!" I shouted.
Graveler barely avoided the Flamethrower and used Rock Throw.
"Protect!" Harrison cried. The Rock Throw was useless now that Arcanine was protected. The rocks bounced off of the green shield.
"Use Rollout!" Graveler sped towards Arcanine.
"Jump!" Arcanine jumped in the air and out of the way. But I had an idea.
"You jump, too, Graveler!" I yelled. Graveler leaped into the air, right under Arcanine, and used its Rollout in midair as it struck Arcanine.
Graveler landed on the floor and rolled to its feet, waiting. Arcanine crashed to the floor and stood up, breathing heavily. I could see that Arcanine was almost beaten.
"Graveler, time to wrap this up! Use Rock Throw."
"Protect!" Harrison cried, right as the rocks flew towards Arcanine.
As the rocks bounced off of the shield, he called out, "Hyper Beam!"
"No! Graveler!" I cried. The Hyper Beam hit Graveler, who slid backwards. Graveler stood still, breathing heavily.
"Your Graveler really gave my Arcanine a run for its money. But now it's time to end this." said Harrison. "Use Extreme Speed!"
"Well, if Graveler is going down, then it's going to take Arcanine down with it!" I declared. I waited until Arcanine was within range and yelled, "Graveler, use Explosion!" Graveler began to glow and then there was a huge bang as smoke covered the battlefield.
As the smoke cleared, I saw that Arcanine and Graveler were both lying on the floor, fainted.
"Both Graveler and Arcanine are unable to battle!" the ref cried.
"You did you best, Graveler. Rest now." I said, returning my fallen Pokemon. I attached the Pokeball back to my belt and removed my next Pokeball.
"Good job, Arcanine." Harrison said as he removed his next Pokeball.
"Impressive, Jason, but can you beat my next Pokemon? Magmar, let's go!" Harrison cried.
"Magmar!"
"Go, Golduck!" I cried, tossing my Pokeball.
"Golduck!"
"Hydro Pump, Golduck!" I cried.
"Dodge it and use Skull Bash."
Magmar dodged the attack. Harrison's Magmar was really fast! Magmar ran towards Golduck and hit it with its head.
"Use Confusion!" I cried. Magmar was lifted into the air and then slammed into the ground with the Psychic attack.
"Flamethrower!"
"Hydro Pump!"
The two moves collided and created steam. I could easily spot Magmar because of the glow coming from its fiery body and I knew that Golduck could see it, too. I also knew that Golduck was hidden, thanks to the steam.
"Use Zen Headbutt!" I said to Golduck. Its head began to glow.
"Use Skull Bash!" Harrison said to Magmar. Harrison had spotted Golduck with the attack Golduck was using.
Both Pokemon were now running headfirst at each another.
"Fire Punch!" Right as the two moves would have collided, Harrison ordered the Fire Punch attack. It hit Golduck and Golduck was burned. The burn was caused by Magmar's Flame Body ability.
"Golduck!" Golduck cried as the burn took affect.
"Confusion, Golduck!" Magmar was lifted into the air and slammed into the ground once again.
"Fire Blast!" Harrison ordered.
"Golduck, spin and use Hydro Pump!" I cried. Golduck extinguished the Fire Blast.
"Use Hydro Pump again!" I cried. Magmar was doused with water, causing massive damage.
Golduck was breathing heavily and burns covered its body. Magmar stood up shakily. Both Pokemon looked at one another.
"Mag..." Magmar fell to the ground. Fainted.
"Magmar is unable to battle! Which means Golduck wins! The winner is Jason!" the ref cried.
"Way to-" I started, but Golduck fell to the ground, still suffering from its burn. This was my toughest gym battle yet. I had just barely won.
"Way to go, Golduck. Take a nice long rest." I said, returning my Pokemon.
Harrison had disappeared to the get the badge and Adam and Michelle joined me.
"Way to go!" Michelle cried.
"Good job," Adam said.
"Thanks, guys."
Harrison returned with an orange cushion. "As gym leader, I present you with the Volcano Badge." he said.
I picked up the Volcano Badge, which was red and in the shape of a flame.
"Badge number seven!" I cried. Only one more to go!
Adam's POV
"Harrison?" I asked.
"Yes?"
"I would like to make a special request for my gym battle."
He nodded for me to continue.
"I would like to have a one-on-one battle for my badge. I would like to battle against your Blaziken."
"Why Blaziken? He's my strongest Pokemon and challengers almost never request to battle him."
"I'd like to battle Blaziken for a chance to defeat him and win my badge. My dad couldn't beat Blaziken when you two battled in the Pokemon League, so I want to succeed where my dad failed. Besides, it would be following the theme of the gym, since Blaziken is a Fire Pokemon. Also, it would be a memorable way to win my badge." I explained.
Harrison thought for a few minutes, processing what I had just told him.
"Okay, we'll battle tomorrow. But I'm warning you, it won't be easy."
"Thank you so much."
Normal POV
Officer Jenny was talking to Lance over the video phone. She had just finished interrogating the Team Rocket grunt that Lance had captured.
"We weren't able to learn anything, Lance. That grunt wouldn't say anything about Team Rocket. But we did find something in his pocket." Officer Jenny said.
"What did you find?" Lance asked curiously.
"He had some kind of handheld device that seems to be able to connect to Team Rocket's data network."
"Well, if we can find a way to hack the device, we should be able to remotely get into Team Rocket's database and find all of the information that they have stored. Then maybe we can find Team Rocket's base and the Temple of Legends, too. Can you do it?"
"Sounds like a plan, Lance. We have a special team of researchers and computer experts already lined up and ready to get to work on it."
"Keep in touch with me and the other Elite Four and let me know if you find anything."
"Will do."
Author's Note: Jason has won his seventh gym badge against Harrison. I bet you didn't think that Harrison would be the gym leader, huh? Adam makes a bold request for his gym battle, asking to battle Blaziken, the Pokemon that defeated his dad's Charizard in the Johto Pokemon League. Adam is hoping to succeed where his dad failed, but is he biting off more than he can chew?
Meanwhile, not all is right with Team Rocket. Darien, the boss's own son and one of the Pokemon Hunters has had a change of heart and is determined to stop his father's evil plans after realizing the error of his ways. We also find out the reason why he didn't capture Adam when they last met: he reminds Darien of someone very close to him, a small girl. Who could she be?
And the police are now helping the Elite Four in finding Team Rocket and the Temple of Legends. What data will their findings reveal?
Will Adam defeat Harrison's Blaziken and win his badge? Who is the girl that Adam reminded Darien of? How far is Darien going to go to stop his father and Team Rocket? What will the Elite Four find out about Team Rocket?
There's only three chapters left until the big showdown, so be sure to stay tuned and keep reading Pokemon NG!