CH 13: The Squirtle squad.
It was 9:20 in the morning on route 5 and the gang had already had breakfast and was moving towards Vermillion city.
"Huh, that camp detour put us off a bit. We're still at least 3 days from Vermillion city." Ash said as he looked at the map.
"We'll need to fill up on supplies before then." Brock said.
"I thought we already filled up when Lucy joined us." Serena said.
"We did, but. I sort of used them all feeding the trainers and pokemon at the camp." Brock said sweat dropping.
"No sweat , there's a town about 2 miles from here. We can refill on supplies there." Ash said.
As the group continued down the trail Pikachu heard something ahead. Ash and Lucy's advanced senses also picked it up.
"What's that up ahead?" Serena asked as she saw something on the road ahead of them. When they reached it they saw it was a destroyed police motorcycle.
"A police motorcycle?" Serena asked.
"It's destroyed." Brock said.
"What happened to officer Jenny?" Lucy asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted as he pointed at the bottom of a hill off the road.
There they saw an officer Jenny that looked beat up and was tied up. Beside her was a knocked out Growlithe.
Standing around her was a group of rocket grunts with a mob of pokemon around them. The pokemon ranged from Nidorino, Zubats, Sandshrews, Diglett, Bellsprout, and Rattatas.
"Team rocket!" Ash shouted.
"That's a lot of pokemon." Serena said.
"We'll have to bring out the big guns." Lucy said as she let out her Seviper.
Ash let out his Charizard as Serena let out her Absol, and Brock let out his Onix. Moments later Charla came out of her pokeball.
"Char." she said.
"Charla go back inside this could get dangerous." Serena said.
"Char." She said shaking her head.
"Alright fine." Serena said. Ash and Lucy touched their mega evolution stones as Serena did the same.
Charla's tongue hung out and her face turned red as she saw Charizard mega evolve into Charizard Y.
"Let's go save her." Brock said.
By the hill officer Jenny opened her eyes as one of the grunts stood over her.
"Alright officer Jenny, feeling comfortable?" The grunt asked as she help her electric baton to the police officer's face.
Jenny had a very frightened look on her face as she rocket grunt stood over her.
"Go on then, arrest us." The grunt said as she smiled.
Moments later Mega Charizard X flew over the rocket grunts and their pokemon before unleashing a hurricane of fire around the rocket grunts and their mob of pokemon.
"What the?" The female grunt said as she and her men tried to figure out what was going on. Moments later Mega Seviper slivered his way through the gaps in the fire Charizard Y had purposely made and smashed his Poison tail into 5 of team rocket's pokemon.
Pikachu also quickly leapt through the fire and avoided incoming attacks from the rocket pokemon before blasting 5 of them with Thunder.
At the same time 5 large rocks hit the ground as Mega Absol leapt across them until he was over a group of rocket Pokamon and hit them with Night slash.
Charla was able to move through the fire easily and blasted the rocket pokemon one at a time with Flamethrower.
Onix came over the fire and unleashed a rock tomb that covered entire groups of the the rocket pokemon.
The rocket grunts all backed up away from the fire , not noticing Ash and Lucy rushing in. One turned just in time to see Lucy's foot smash into his face.
Two other grunts ran at Ash with electric batons raised , only to have Ash slice their batons in half with his hidden blades. He then retracted them and smashed both his palms into the grunt's throats, forcing them to the ground.
The last grunt rushed at Lucy with her baton raised. Lucy easily slashed the baton into pieces with her hidden blades then smashed her knee into the grunt's face.
As this happened Brock rushed over and helped the Officer Jenny get up as Serena picked up her Growlithe.
"Don't worry we're going to get you out of here." Brock said. Just when it seemed like things were going well , out of no where over a dozen Water guns shout out and put out all the fires.
"What?" Ash said. As the smoke began to clear another dozen water guns hit Onix all across his body.
"Grow!" Onix shouted in pain before he fell over and hit the ground.
"Onix!" Brock shouted. When the smoke cleared the group saw a dozen or so Squirtle's each with a pair of round dark blue shades on.
"Squirtle." They all said sounding mischievous.
"Squirtle?" Serena said.
"Are they wearing shades?" Lucy asked.
"Char?" Charla said also confused.
"Squirtle." She heard behind her.
Charla nervously turned around and saw another Squirtle.
"Char!" She shouted in fear.
"Charla!" Serena shouted. The group turned to see a Squirtle that looked bigger than the others. He also wore black shades what had pointed ends.
Behind him were two more Squirtle holding Charla in place.
"Hey let go of her!" Ash shouted.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted.
"Squir squirtle." The Squirtle said smiling.
"Pika, Pikachu." Pikachu said as he turned to Ash. Ash could understand what Pikachu was saying through their aura connection.
"That Squirtle said he's the leader of the Squirtle squad and unless we want Charla to be hit with a dozen water gun's we'll call back out pokemon." Ash said.
"Squirtle." The Squirtle said smiling.
"Don't do it, these are dangerous pokemon." The officer Jenny said.
"You had best do it, he's not bluffing." Another voice said. Ash and the others turned to see a rocket Sentinel and 4 more grunts walking towards them.
"Team rocket!" Ash shouted.
"These Squirtle's work for team rocket. They will obey our commands." The sentinel said as he drew his sword.
Serena could see the fear in Charla's eyes . She knew it would be dangerous, but she had no choice. She returned Absol to his pokeball.
Ash and the others sighed as they returned their pokemon as well.
"Pika." Pikachu said growling at the lead Squirtle.
"Good, now get on your knees and." The sentinel started before an explosion of fire hit all around them.
The blasts caught the rocket mob of pokemon completely off guard. Moments later Ash and the other saw what looked like an Arcanine come over the hill.
However, this Arcanine was bigger. Had black fur with orange stripes, red eyes with black pupils, a longer white tail, fur that stuck up like spikes on the sides and forehead. His fangs also extended out of his mouth, with fire on the sides.
"Is that an Arcanine?" Brock asked.
"It's a Mega Arcanine." Lucy said.
"Then that means." Ash started. Moments later a massive burst of aura hurled all 5 of the rocket members to the ground.
Ash and the others saw a man running at the rocket members. He wore a white coat with a hood and a black inner shirt. He had a white cloth over his mouth and neck and had a pair of hidden blades out.
"Aura guardian!" Ash shouted sounding excited.
As two of the grunts got up the guardian easily slashed their batons in half with his hidden blades before smashing his wrist into the first grunt's nose, breaking it and dropping the man to the ground.
He then smashed his elbow into the other grunt's throat.
The guardian blasted the other two grunts with another aura sphere as the sentinel hurled his sword at the guardian.
The aura guardian blocked the sword before hurling his other hidden blade at the sentinel. However, the sentinel brought his sword back up and blocked the hidden blade.
As this happened the other two grunts got back up only to be knocked back to the ground as Ash and Lucy leapt onto them and smashed their palms into the grunt's necks.
The sentinel blocked another one of the guardian's strikes before he came forward with his sword. The guardian blocked the strike before smashing his foot into the man's calf. As he cringed, the guardian slashed his right blade across the sentinel's wrist, making him drop his sword before the guardian slammed his left hidden blade into the man's chest.
As this happened the Mega Arcanine blasted the rest of the rocket pokemon mob with fire attacks.
The head Squirtle ordered his squad to attack the Mega Arcanine with Water gun.
"Pikachu Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted.
"Pika chu!" Pikachu shouted as he unleashed a massive bolt of electricity right at the head Squirtle.
"Squirtle!" Another Squirtle shouted as he jumped in front of his boss taking the Thunderbolt.
"Squirtle!" he shouted in pain before falling the ground.
"Squirtle." The head squirtle said as he sweated and looked at Pikachu.
"Squirtle !" The head Squirtle shouted. Moments later, all the other Squirtle ran over and picked up their wounded comrade before they all ran off with Charla still in their captivity.
"Charla!" Serena shouted.
She tried to run after them but the head Squirtle turned and blasted her with a water gun.
Pikachu wanted to blast them, but he knew where too close to Charla and he could end up hurting her.
"Charizard go!" Ash shouted.
Charizard came out and roared.
"Follow them!" Ash shouted. Charizard was about to when the pokemon mob all launched their attacks at him.
"Look out!" Ash shouted. Charizard narrowly avoided each attack before blasting them with a massive jet of fire.
As he did the Mega Archanine also unleashed a flamethrower that knocked out the rest of the mob of pokemon.
"Where are the Squirtle and Charla!?" Sererna shouted in fear.
"I can't feel their aura. They're out of reach." Lucy said.
"Charla." Serena said sounding like she was in pain. Ash walked up beside her and took her in his arms.
"It's alright Serena, we're going to find her." Ash said.
Brock untied the Officer Jenny and helped her up.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yes thank you."
"I'm so glad we were able to help someone as beautiful as you." Brock said blushing. Not a moment later Lucy grabbed Brock by the ear and pulled him away.
"Don't bother the police officer." Lucy said.
Moments later the aura guardian walked over to them.
"Are you all alright?" He asked as he pulled down the cloth on his mouth. They could see them man had dark skin, very short brown hair with a mustache and grey eyes.
"They took my Charmander." Serena said.
"You're an aura guardian. So are we." Ash said as he and Lucy showed the man their hidden blades.
"Well, how about that. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Martin of the Kanto brotherhood. Who might you all be?" He asked.
"I'm Ash."
"Lucy."
"Brock."
"Serena."
"Alright , I'm gonna need some back up to arrest all these grunts." Officer Jenny said as she walked to her destroyed motorcycle and got on the radio.
Martin took a deep breath before his eyes glowed blue and he connected with every one of the pokemon around him's aura.
"These men have deceived you. They have made empty promises, they seek to use you as slaves. Be free of them." Martin said.
All of the pokemon got up an walked away after hearing what Martin said and feeling his aura.
"Come with me." Martin said.
The group followed Martin down the path.
"I see you ran into some of my friends back there." Martin said.
"Where did team rocket get all those pokemon?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, they had a whole mob of them." Brock said.
"And what was up with those Squirtle?" Lucy asked.
"Allow me to explain, I've been hunting a rocket officer named Duncan the dragon." Martin said.
"Duncan." Ash said remembering that particular rocket officer.
"I tracked him to this area and discovered that for some reason he's building himself an army of pokemon. Not even catching them. Just manipulating them into serving him." Martin said.
"A pokemon army?" Ash said.
"Indeed, he's gotten well over a hundred wild pokemon serving him. Whatever he's planning can't be good." Martin said.
"And the Squirtle?" Serena asked.
"In these parts they're known as the Squirtle squad. Each one was abandoned or mistreated by their owners. They found each other and began causing trouble in the nearby town. Causing mischief or stealing some food. I paid little mind to them , I saw Duncan as the more pressing matter. I thought officer Jenny could handle it."
"Wait those Squirtle were all abandoned by their trainers." Ash said. He knew they were working for team rocket and took Charla, but he couldn't help but feel bad for them.
"That was until Duncan found them and recruited them into his army. Now they're working with him. The truth is though I truly feel bad for those Squirtle , they've never know true love or care. Maybe if they did they wouldn't act that way." Martin said.
He lead them to the town where the group stopped at the pokemon center to have nurse Joy check on their pokemon.
After dropping off their pokemon they met Martin in a corner of the pokemon center.
"So what's going to happen now?" Serena asked.
"I've been hunting Duncan for almost a week now, trying to reduce the size of his army. Unfortunately I still haven't found his base of operations. If I were to have some other guardians with me, it could certainly help speed things up." Martin said as he turned to Ash and Lucy.
"Count us in" Ash said.
"What about Charla?" Serena asked. Martin turned to her.
"I swear to you, we will find your Charmander.". Martin said.
Meanwhile in a cave a few miles away , Charla was being dragged by the Squirtle through caves until they reached a large open area inside the caves. Inside were dozens of pokemon gathered around at least a dozen rocket grunts.
"Char." She said sounding scared.
"Squirtle!" The head Squirtle said telling Charla to move.
The Squirtle lead Charla to a pair of rocket officers and the young Charmander's eyes widened as she saw who they were.
"Well well well, what do we have here." One of them said.
"Looks like we have a Charmander?" The other said.
"What happened to the other you were with?" The first officer asked the lead Squirtle.
"Squid, Squirtle." He said as he tried to make a spade symbol with his small fingers.
"That aura guardian is at it again." The other officer asked.
"Duncan won't be happy about this." The first officer said.
"I told him last time, it's your turn."
"Me, no way." The first officer said.
"Uh, we'll both figure it out. In the mean time show this Charmander around and get ready to fight in the army."
"Squirtle." The head Squirtle said nodding.
"Char!" Charla said shaking her head.
"Squir?" The head Squirtle said sounding confused.
"Char." Charla explained how she had a trainer and she wanted to return to her.
"Squir, Squirtle." The head Squirtle said claiming that no trainer truly cared for their pokemon. That being part of the pokemon army, she could get all the food she wanted and be her own pokemon.
"Char, Charmander." Charla said claiming that Serena loved her and would never mistreat her.
"Char." Charla said claiming she wanted to leave.
"Alright if you won't fight, lock her up!" The first officer shouted.
"Squir?" The lead Squirtle said sweat dropping.
"Do it!" The officer yelled.
"Squirtle." he said reluctantly as his Squirtle dragged Charla to a corner and put her in a cage.
The lead Squirtle looked up at the officer with uneasy looks.
Elsewhere Ash and the others were beside a lake hiding in the bushes and trees.
"So what exactly are we doing again?" Serena asked.
"Many wild pokemon drink from this lake. It's become a prime location for rocket grunts to try and swipe wild pokemon." Martin said.
"So once we find the rocket grunts we tail them back to their hideout and rescue Charla." Serena said.
"Exactly." Martin said. The group remained in hiding for several more minutes before they saw a pair of female Nidoran approach the lake.
At that moment Ash, Lucy, and Martin saw hostile auras approaching them through their aura vision.
"We've got company." Ash said. Moments later as the two Nidoran turned around they saw a pair of rocket grunts standing around them with over a dozen other pokemon.
"Ni." They said nervously.
"Looks like we've got another two." The first grunt said as their pokemon subdued the two Nidoran.
"Let's take up back to camp." The second grunt said before they and their group of pokemon began to walk away.
"Alright follow them Pidgeotto." Ash said. Pidgeotto flew out from the trees and stayed a good altitude up to avoid being detected, but still had a good view of the rocket grunts.
"Now we just follow his aura." Ash said.
Meanwhile back in the caves Charla was curled up inside the cage with a sad look on her face.
"Char." She said.
"Squirtle." The lead Squirtle said as he stood in front of her cage. Charla turned to him.
"Squir, Squirtle." he said telling Charla about how he use to have a trainer, but his trainer mistreated him, demanded results, then abandoned him. He claimed that human's just cared about themselves, and that the only reasonable way to to look out for one's self.
"Char. Charmander." Charla said. She claimed that she since she met Serena , that she had done nothing but take care of her, train her, and treat her like a true friend. She also claimed that the other humans she knew like Ash, Brock, and Lucy treated their pokemon just as well as Serena treated her.
"Squirtle." The lead Squirtle said as he turned his head away from Charla.
Charla knew he had kidnapped her, but she couldn't help but feel bad for the Squirtle and his friends. They had a bond with a trainer like she had with Serena , of Pikachu had with Ash.
"Alright Squirtle squad, the boss wants you to move out and meed him at the rondevus point." One of the officers said.
The lead Squirtle raised his head before calling out to the other Squirrels.
"Squirtle!" He shouted before they all rushed off and out of the caverns. A few grunts followed after them with 4 dozen of their pokemon.
"Char." Charla said sounding scared again.
Twenty minutes later Pidgeotto saw the two rocket grunts and their pokemon enter a cave below him.
"Ott." he said. Pidgeotto turned around and saw Ash with the others not far behind where he was.
"Pidgeotto, did you find them?" Ash asked.
"Ott." Pidgeotto said nodding before he told Ash about the cave through their aura connection.
"Great job." Ash said.
"Alright, let's go in their and save Charla!". Serena shouted. Inside the caves a pair of rocket grunts were patrolling halfway down the cave with 4 pokemon beside them.
"Hey did you hear something?" One asked.
"No." The other said. Moments later they turned and saw Mega Charizard Y racing down the hallway before he unleashed a massive jet of fire.
"Look out!" One screamed before they were all enveloped by fire and knocked out. Ash and the others were close behind.
Charizard Y rushed into the main room , roaring as he lit up as many of the rocket pokemon as he could.
Charla's expression did an about face as she saw Charizard Y fly in.
"Char!" She shouted.
Moments later Mega Absol , Seviper, and Arcanine rushed in with Pikachu close behind. Several of the grunts took cover. When two came up they didn't see Martin leap down from a rock and knock them into the ground with his palms.
At the same time Lucy came out from behind a rock and slammed her wrists into another two grunt's, knocking them out.
"We're under attack!" Two grunts shouted before Ash leapt out from above them and knocked them both out.
As Mega Absol used Nightslash across 3 Rocket pokemon, knocking them out. Once they were knocked out, Serena sprinted over to the cage.
"Charla!" Serena shouted before the opened the cage and let her Charmander out.
"Char!" Charla shouted as she leapt into Serena's arms.
"I was so worried about you." Serena said.
Meanwhile Pikachu and Mega Arcanine stood in front of a the last of the rocket pokemon.
"Pika chu!".
"Arooh!" The Mega Archanine roared as he unleashed a massive Flamethrower and Pikachu unleashed a massive Thunderbolt.
The two attacks enveloped the remaining rocket pokemon and knocked them all out.
"We're clear." Martin said as he walked down to the group of rocket pokemon. He took a deep breath before his eyes glowed blue and he connected with all the other pokemon.
"This isn't the right path for you. Whatever team rocket offered you is lies. Be free of them." He said to the pokemon.
When the pokemon got up they all began to leave the cave peacefully.
"How are you just able to do that?" Brock asked.
"I've trained myself to connect easily with any pokemon, once I do it's easier to convince them I'm right and that they should listen." Martin said.
"Charla is safe, thank you Martin." Serena said.
"I'm glad we rescued your Charmander, but my target isn't here. Besides there weren't nearly enough of his forces here. Duncan is still out there, and he still has an army." Martin said.
"Yeah and those Squirtles weren't here either." Lucy said.
"Look , I know we've found your Charmander. But if you could still help me find find him, I would most appreciate 2 other guardians assistance." Martin said.
Ash sighed before he lifted up his shirt and showed Martin 3 large claw mark scars across his chest.
"My Reduka boy, what happened to you?" Martin asked.
"Duncan the dragon did this to me. His Noivern tried to kill my Charizard and I got between them. I don't want to think about that man having an army of pokemon beside him. I'm in." Ash said.
"Team rocket using pokemon like this horrifies me. I became a guardian to stop stuff like this." Lucy said.
"I'm in, these people have to be stopped." Brock said.
"I'm always willing to put a stop to team rocket." Serena said.
"Alright then, first we should head back to town. We can have Nurse Joy check out the pokemon and formulate a plan from there." Martin said.
As the group made their way back to the town they noticed black smoke rising into the air in it's direction.
"Smoke?" Brock asked.
"A fire must have started in the town." Martin said.
"That's not good." Serena said.
"Worse than you think, they don't have a proper fire department there." Martin said.
"What's going to happen then?" Serena asked.
"The police will likely try and evacuate the building and then keep the fire from spreading." Martin said.
As they got closer to the town they saw more smoke rising from different directions.
"Uh, I think there's more than one fire." Brock said.
"What the hell is going on?" Martin said. He let his Arcanine out and Mega evolved him before sprinting ahead with Arcanine and the others close behind.
A few minutes later they reached the edge of the town to find it under attack. Dozens of pokemon with rocket grunts were attacking everyone and everything in sight. Several buildings were on fire.
"They're attacking the town!" Lucy shouted.
"Duncan is responsible for this. Save as many people as you can, I'm going to find him and make him pay." Martin said as his Mega Archanine came beside him and growled in agreement.
"Good luck. " Martin said before he ran at and then climbed up the side of a building with his Arcanine close behind.
"Let's split up, Serena and I will head to the north part of the town." Ash said.
"We'll head to the south area." Lucy said.
"Be careful." Brock said.
Brock and Lucy made their way to the south area of the town where they saw many of the people and their pokemon trying to run out of the town as the rocket grunts and their army of pokemon continued to pillage the town.
Lucy saw a rocket grunt kick a wounded police officer who was on the ground onto his back as a Nidorino did the same to the officer's Growlithe.
The grunt raised his foot over the officer's face before he was hurled back by a burst of Aura.
Mega Seviper slithered his way up and smashed the Nidorino away with his tail.
"Severe." he hissed. When another 3 grunts saw this they came at Seviper with over a dozen pokemon beside them.
Mega Seviper opened his mouth and unleashed a massive Flamethrower at the rocket pokemon.
As this happened Lucy charged at the rocket grunts with her hidden blades out. Two of the grunts came at her before she sliced their batons in half. After doing so she smashed her right elbow into the right grunt's face and smashed her foot into the other grunt's calf.
As the two men leaned back bending over , Lucy smashed her knee into the first ones face as she smashed her palm into the other one's neck.
The third grunt came running at her with her baton raised high. Lucy grabbed the grunt's baton arm and came inside her arms before smashing her other elbow into the grunt's face.
All the while a 4th grunt tries to sneak up behind Lucy. The grunt felt someone tap his shoulder and turned around to see Brock standing behind him.
Before he could say anything Brock slammed his first into he grunt's face, dropping him to the ground.
Brock's Onix assisted Seviper in battling the the rocket pokemon as Lucy's Milotic used Hydropump on the burning buildings, trying to keep the fire contained. However, she could not do this alone.
Elsewhere in the town Ash and Serena saw as more people fled from the burning town.
A rocket grunt held a wounded police officer against a building and held his electric baton close to the man's face.
"Nighty night copper."
Just before he could zap the policemen, Serena grabbed the grunt's arm and twisted it against it's joint.
The man cringed before Serena smashed her palm into the man's throat, dropping him into the ground.
Her Mega Absol came up behind her and used Night Slash on 5 rocket pokemon as they tried to attack her from behind.
Charla was also out and unleashed Flamethrower on two Belsprout who were also behind Serena.
Ash held back two of the grunts's batons with his hidden blades before slicing them in half. Ash kicked the first grunt in the calf as he grabbed the other one by his arm and hurled him over his body and onto the ground.
He then came back and slammed his first into the other grunt's face, hurling him to the ground.
As he did this, Pikachu and Charizard battled, then knocked out at least 12 rocket pokemon.
"Well, well, well, look who we have here. " A familiar voice said.
Ash and Serena looked over to see none other than the rocked junior officers standing atop a building with a pair of rocket grunts beside them.
"It's Cassidy and Botch." Serena said.
"It's Butch!".
"You two aren't worth are time, where's Duncan?!" Ash shouted.
"Not worth your time! We'll show you! Go Primape!" Butch shouted.
Cassidy let out her Raticate as the two grunts let out 2 Nidorino.
"Pikachu use Iron tail!" Ash shouted.
"Primape's use Mach Punch!" Butch shouted. Pikachu came in like lightning, easily moving under Primape's punch before smashing his tail across his face.
"Raticate use Super fang." Cassidy said.
"Dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted.
"Pika." Pikachu said as he easily leapt over the Raticate before blasting him with electricity.
The Raticate and Primeape both fell over unconscious.
"They're knocked out already." Cassidy said sweat dropping.
They also noticed Charizard standing over their grunts' knocked out Nidorinos.
"I sure hope Duncan doesn't see this." Cassidy said. Moments later Brock and Lucy came rushing over with their pokemon.
"We've cleared the south end of the town!" Brock shouted.
"You two continue to show your uselessness." A dark voice hissed. Ash and the others looked up at the top of the tallest building.
Standing there was none other than Duncan the dragon with two rocket sentinels beside him.
"Duncan!" Ash shouted.
"Well well well, look who came here to meet my army. The boy I scarred back in Kalos. Fully recovered yet?" Duncan said as he smiled and showed his fang like teeth.
"You're army is beaten Duncan , give up." Ash said.
"Beaten, I think not." Duncan said as she showed a wounded officer Jenny under him. A pair of massive Dragonite also flew over him.
Before Ash could say anything else he heard Serena grunt and turned to see tied up with a trio of the shade wearing Squirtles holding the ropes.
Absol also noticed Charla being held by two more of the Squirtles.
"Hey!" Brock shouted as he was also tried up by a few more Squirtles.
Ash then saw the lead Squirtle standing beside Duncan.
"You see my boy, I command these pokemon. Watch this, Squirtle open the police woman's mouth and drown her with Watergun." Duncan said.
"Squir!" The Squirtle said looking nervous.
"No Squirtle don't do it!" Ash shouted.
"Pika!".
The head Squirtle sweated as he slowly looked down at the wounded officer Jenny. His other Squirtles also looked uneasy as they watched their leader stand over the officer Jenny.
"Squir." He said still looking uneasy.
"Are you death, do as I say!" Duncan hissed at the Squirtle showing his claws and fangs.
Moments later Squirtle felt another presence enter his aura.
"Squirtle, your not a monster like him. I know you were hurt by your trainer, but you can't let that convince you to do something like this. Duncan is a monster and you know it. Don't let him control you." Ash said via aura message.
The lead Squirtle continued to look nervously at Officer Jenny.
"Do it now!" Duncan screamed.
Squirtle turned to Duncan and blasted him with a water gun.
"Alright he didn't do it!" Brock shouted.
"You insolent little wretch!" Duncan shouted as he slashed his claws across the Squirtle's face, and knocked him off the building down towards a raging fire below.
"Squirtle!" he shouted as he fell down at the fire.
"Oh no!" Serena shouted.
"Squirtle!" The other Squirtles shouted.
Ash sprinted forward and leapt up and though the fire.
"Ash!" Serena , Lucy, and Brock shouted.
"Pika!".
"Grauu!" Charizard and PIkachu shouted. Unknown to them, Ash had created an aura barrier around himself that kept the fire away. Just before Squirtle could reach the fire, Ash caught him in his arms.
Ash dove out of the other side of the fire with the Squirtle in his arms.
"Squir." The Squirtle said as he saw Ash holding him.
"Gotcha." Ash said.
"Fools, Die." Duncan said as his sentinels unleashed a Rhydon.
Moments later A massive jet of fire hit and knocked the two Dragonite aside. Duncan turned to see Martin rushing up behind him.
Just before either Sentinel could draw their sword, Martin quickly thrusted his hidden blades into both Sentinel's throats.
He then came at Duncan but, Duncan caught the blades with his claws.
"You're a monster Duncan." Martin said.
"No, I'm a dragon." Duncan hissed as he tried to snap his sharped teeth around Martin's neck.
Martin lurched back before smashing his elbow across Duncan's face, making Duncan stumble backwards. Duncan ran across the rooftop and leapt onto another rooftop with Martin close behind.
Duncan's Dragonites turned to Mega Arcanine when one was hit by a powerful Dragon pulse. Ash had Mega evolved his Charizard and sent him to help Martin's Arcanine.
The two Rhydon had a dozen or so rocket pokemon gather around them.
Squirtle came down from Ash's arms and stood in front of the rocket pokemon in an aggressive stance.
"Squirtle!" He shouted. His other Squirtles let go of Brock, Serena, and Charla before standing beside their leader.
Mega Seviper slithered up beside them with Onix, Pikachu, Absol, and Charla.
Ash had to try and direct Charizard and PIkachu in two different battles, it wouldn't be easy. But he accepted a challenge.
The rocket pokemon all charged at the group in mass trying to overwhelm them . The Squirtle quickly got into their shells and rolled around the rocket pokemon surrounding them.
"Squirtle!" The head Squirtle shouted as his team all blasted the rocket pokemon with Water gun.
"Char!" Charla shouted as she unleashed a flamethrower into the mob with Seviper.
Absol and Onix both unleashed Rock tombs into the group of pokemon as well. The attacks knocked out many of the rocket pokemon.
The two Rhydon sprinted through the crowd of pokemon right at Charla.
"Char." She said sounding scared.
"Charla look out!" Serena shouted.
Charla tried to move but she tripped over herself. She looked up and saw the two Rhydon running at her.
The lead Squirtle rushed over in front of Charla before blasting the first Rhydon with Watergun. The Rhydon grunted as he slowly backed up as the super effective attack took it's toll.
The second Rhydon was smashed across the face by Pikachu's Iron tail. The two Rhydon stumbled backwards before growling at Pikachu and the lead Squirtle.
Meanwhile Mega Charizard Y easily avoided a Thunderbolt from one of the Dragonite before flying in at him and blasting him with another Dragon Pulse. At the same time Mega Arcanine burst through a twister launched by the second Dragonite and slammed into him, knocking him onto the roof of the building before bitting down into him with Thunderfang.
Charla got up and saw the two Rhydon coming back at Pikachu and Squirtle with Bulldoze and Horn Drill.
The first Rhydon lowered his horn at Pikachu only to have Pikachu leap up and over Rhydon's head before smashing his Iron tail into the Rhydon's head, plowing the rock pokemon into he ground and knocking him out.
At the same time the lead Squirtle got into his shell and was knocked back several feet. When Squirtle landed he came out of this shell looking unharmed.
"Squirtle!" He shouted. Moments later all of his Squirtles turned their heads to the Rhydon.
"Groo" The Rhydon said looking nervous.
"Squir!" the lead Squirtle shouted as he and his fellow Squirtles all blasted the Rhydon with Water gun.
"Groo!" The Rhydon grunted before fainting.
Moments later Ash saw as Mega Charizard Y and Mega Arcanine knock out Duncan's Dragonites as the last of the rocket mob was knocked out.
"We got them." Ash said.
Back on another building top Duncan tried to slash Martin across the face with his claws. Martin blocked his strike with his forearm before coming in with his left hidden blade and sliced off Duncan's left claws.
"Grauu." Duncan roared as he moved back holding his hand.
"Who do they always have to cut off the claws! These aren't cheap." Duncan hissed before he noticed his Dragonites knocked out with all of his pokemon army.
Martin held his hidden blades out as he stood in front of Duncan.
"It's over Duncan, Give up." Martin said.
"Grauu! I won't be your trophy guardian." Duncan said before he ran and leapt off the side of the building. He then caught himself with the claws he still had.
"Wait for us Duncan!" Cassidy shouted as she and Butch ran after him. Martin performed a leap of faith into a pile of leaves below before pursuing Duncan, but Duncan pushed his two remaining grunts right into Martin.
Martin slammed his wrists into their necks, knocking the grunts out easily. When he got up he saw Duncan and his junior officers were gone.
"Dam, they got away." Martin said.
Martin rushing back to the others.
"Duncan is gone." He said.
"We've got bigger problems, the town is still on fire" Ash said.
Lucy was helping officer Jenny walk over to them.
"We don't have a fire department and the fire is to big to isolate. The fire will consume everything, and there are still dozens of people in the town." Officer Jenny said.
"Milotic can't put this all out on her own." Lucy said.
The lead Squirtle and his gang looked around at the terrified people and the burning town. They felt incredible guilty for being part of the ones who had attacked the town and caused this.
"Wait a minute, what about the Squirtle Squad. They could help put it out." Ash said.
"Squir." The lead Squirtle said.
"Yeah you guys could help save the town." Serena said.
"You may be our only hope." Officer Jenny said.
"Squir!" The lead Squirtle said as he held his arm up and rallied his men.
"Squirtle!" The other Squirtles shouted.
The lead Squirtle directed his men to each burning building and helped them extinguish the fire with Water gun.
Milotic also used Hydro pump to help out the Squirtles. It took them about 20 minutes , but the Squirtle squad was able to put out all of the fires in the town.
"They did it." Brock said.
"Squirtle!" The Squirtle squad shouted in unison.
"Well I think we may have finally found a place for you Squirtle." Officer Jenny said.
"Squirtle?" The lead Squirtle asked.
"We do need a fire department here and this would be a good way for you guys do something constructive. We'd take good care of you here and you could be a big help." Officer Jenny said.
"I think you should do it." Ash said.
"Squir." The lead Squirtle said looking up at Ash.
"It would be a good use of your skills and you could finally have a real home." Ash said. The lead Squirtle turned to his men.
"Squir, Squirtle." He said.
"Squir." The others said.
"Squirtle!" The Squirtle shouted in unison as they threw their arms up in the air.
"Excellent." Officer Jenny said.
"Well I'm glad we were able to save the town, I'll take care of these rocket Pokemon." Martin said as he communicated with them.
"We'll keep these grunts here until the army can send someone over to properly detain them." Officer Jenny said.
Martin got up as the rocket pokemon began to leave the town.
"I'm glad we were able to save the town , but it's ashamed we weren't able to catch Duncan or his junior officers." Martin said.
"At least we disbanded his army of pokemon." Lucy said.
"True, but Duncan is relentless, he'll likely just build another. Which means I need to keep after him." Martin said.
"Good luck Martin." Ash said.
"Good luck to you as well." Martin said before he and his Archanine walked away from the town.
"Alright, we should probably get going too." Ash said.
"Yeah We still have a bit of a walk to Vermillion city." Lucy said.
"Thanks again all of you." Officer Jenny said.
As Ash and the others walked away the lead Squirtle watched Ash walk away.
"Squir." He said.
A few minutes later Ash and the others were continuing down route 5 when Pikachu heard something behind them.
"Pika." Pikachu said.
Ash and the others turned around to see none other than the lead Squirtle following them.
"Squirtle?" Ash said.
"Squir, Squirtle." He said.
"Squirtle, are you ok?" He asked.
"Squirtle." He said as he looked up at Ash.
"Pika, Pikachu." Pikachu said telling Ash what Squirtle said.
Apparently Squirtle had thought more about what Ash and Charla had said to him. He couldn't let his experience with his last trainer effect him for the rest of his life. He wanted to have a trainer again and wanted it to be Ash.
"You want to come with me." Ash said.
"Squirtle!" He said.
"Another Kanto starter, why not." Lucy said.
"We'd love to have you with us." Serena said.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle shouted as he ran over and into Ash's arms.
Later that night Duncan and his officers were deep in the woods.
"Well that could have gone better." Butch said.
"Shut up!" Duncan hissed.
"I need to get to work rebuilding the army." Duncan said.
"Alright we'll." Cassidy started.
"No, I will do this without you incompetents." Duncan said.
"Then what do we do? We were assigned to you." Cassidy asked.
"Report to Jessie and James." Duncan said.
"Not those two!" Cassidy yelled.
"Well, you have two options. You can report to them, or I could make a snack out of you!" Duncan roared as he snapped his fangs in front of them.
Cassidy and Butch backed up.
"Jessie and James it is." Butch said.
Author's note
So Squirtle is in the group now, I hope you liked my spin on this episode.
In case you are wondering Martin is based off Achilles from AC , though more off his appearance in rouge.
Also plan on Ash's battle in Vermillion city to be a bit different since PIkachu is much stronger than he was in the anime
Also expect to see another showcase in Vermillion city, I can tell you right now that I do not plan on doing the episode with the island of giant pokemon.
Like I said before I plan on having Ash catch all the pokemon he did in the anime, but that comes to the question of the 30 taurus he caught.
Personally I thought that was awesome but I want your options on the matter.
I set up a poll asking if Ash should catch 30 taurus or just 1.
So until next time please review, comment, suggest, or ask (via PM)