Please enjoy the second side chapter for Kanto: The Start of the Journey! Don't forget to vote in the fun poll for your favorite Pokémon on Summer's team! :)

Side Chapter 2: Ambushed

Earlier this morning…

Weldon pensively staredthe sea, its blue waves sparkling in the morning sun. After giving his rival the three items on Lt. Surge's orders, he walked to a nearby cove and sat on the cold sand. Although he was angry that he wasn't chosen for the mission, he couldn't help but wonder at Summer's progress.

For someone who just won her fifth badge, she battled like it was the finals of the Indigo League. She was able to make Koga smile at the end while he just scolded me. She doesn't have the pedigree of a top Trainer, yet she battles like one. Trusting your Pokémon…it actually worked...

He then suddenly got up and grabbed a nearby rock.

ARRGH! Why does she keep challenging what I know works?!

He angrily threw it into the water, and it sank to the bottom.

"I…I have to beat her…" he muttered. "Even though…she's really good…"

"Who's really good?"

Weldon jumped and turned around. Samir and Lt. Surge grinned at the confused Trainer.

"N-nothing…" He slightly lowered the brim of his cap to hide his red cheeks.

Lt. Surge laughed. "There's only one female Trainer that makes you think like that. Let me guess, the first letter of her name is 'S' and the last letter is-"

"All right, all right!" Weldon yelled. He took a deep breath. "You're right...It's Summer."

"Then why are you so upset if you respect her?" Samir asked. "She's a good person and Trainer."

Weldon wanted to tell the two he trusted about his feelings, but his pride forced him not to.

"Anyway," Lt. Surge said, changing the subject. "Did you give her the items, soldier?"

The Trainer nodded but had a disappointed look on his face. "I don't know why I wasn't chosen for that mission. I have more experience and badges."

Lt. Surge sternly crossed his arms. "Soldier, the inner strength and trust with your Pokémon are more important than the number of badges. Besides, Blaine and Koga feel she's better suited for it."

"Yeah? How so?" Weldon retorted.

Lt. Surge paused. "I'm not sure myself. He said it had something to do with her heritage, but that daft scientist didn't want to expand further. Then he asked me another riddle and I just walked away."

Weldon stretched. "Guess the best thing to do is train right now. Who knows when we're going to Saffron City?"

Lt. Surge was about to agree when Samir shouted, "Look, an injured Swimmer!"

The three ran to the nearby beach and saw a man struggling to stand. Underneath his light blue swim cap was a tuft of purple hair.

"Are you okay, sir?" Samir asked.

The Swimmer grimaced at us and replied, "I-I think I got a cramp."

"Let's take him back to the Lab for treatment," the Gym Leader decided. He easily carried the man in his arms, and the three walked back to the Pokémon Laboratory.

Misty was stretching outside and was about to greet them when she froze. "W-what are you doing with him?! That's the same Swimmer who delayed me at the Seafoam Islands!"

Weldon and Samir were stunned, and Lt. Surge furiously dumped him on the ground. As the man winced in real pain, the Lightning American demanded, "What do you think you're trying to pull?! Who are you?!"

The Swimmer snickered. "I think you know who I am, Lieutenant. My only objective to distract you to allow us to capture your colleagues."

As they thought about his words, white smoke suddenly filled the building.

"NO!" Lt. Surge roared. "It's an ambush!"

He ran inside and Weldon was about to follow him when they were surrounded by dark smoke. The boy, Samir, and Misty coughed, allowing themselves to be easily hit by three large rocks. The three fell to the ground, with Weldon barely conscious.

As he slowly tried to stand, he took out a Pokéball and tried to open it. To his shock, it refused, giving him no defense.

"Well, well, well. It's that Leland kid Archer and Petrel were so worked up about," a male voice echoed in the cloud.

"Makes things easier for us since we disabled everyone's Pokéballs a few minutes ago," a female voice replied.

"Who's there?!" Weldon yelled, struggling to stay awake. "Show yourself, you cowards!"

His vision started to blur, and as he collapsed, the last thing he saw were two red letters.

"They didn't give us much trouble at all," Boulder smirked as the smoke dissipated. He then proceeded to tie the unconscious people. Eric helped his Trainer by providing the ropes.

"As long as we find those other targets, our mission will be a success," Raven noted. Tara snickered on her shoulder.

The radio on her right hip crackled, Come in, Raven.

She picked it up and answered, "We successfully captured the target, the Leland kid, and the Cerulean Gym Leader, Archer."

Excellent work, you two. We have detained the other Gym Leaders inside… Unfortunately, the other targets and those two are not here.

Raven was baffled. "You don't mean…"

Yes. The scientist and the girl are gone, and they most likely have those items we wanted. I questioned Erika before I knocked her out, but she refused to answer.

"They still have to come back. They don't know what happened here."

True. Stay here with Boulder and ambush them once they return. We will bring the captives back to headquarters.

"Understood. Over and out."

As Raven put her radio away, Boulder and Eric helped Petrel carry the children and Misty to a nearby helicopter. Raven then stared at the sea, her eyes glowing with pride. "We are one step closer to help our Boss achieve his goal. Red will fall and the Boss will become Champion once more!"