And yeah, this is chapter 6. Rahl has already figured out Ash and Serena's feelings for one another…what's gonna happen now? Find out in this new chapter!
Chapter 6- Sickness and Suspicion
Rahl waited with mild annoyance. He checked his watch (which read 6:08pm) and cracked his fingers, a habit of his that calmed him down and removed his anxiety temporarily. He watched Ash, currently groaning quietly and shifting around, sweat on his face.
'He's seriously sick,' thought Rahl, awed. 'He poured all his intensity into that battle, and here he is now, I guess.'
There was a loud clanking, and Serena rushed in the room, a white bag in hand and her eyes on Ash. Bonnie followed soon after with some leaves clenched tightly in her fists, and lastly Clemont, who was for some reason covered in soot, and looked like he had allowed a weasel to nest in his hair.
"Um," said Rahl hesitantly. "Why is Clemont so- er- filthy?"
He had gotten their names prior to the battle.
"He tried to lead us to some possible locations of mint using his invention, the Mint and Herb Finder," said Serena matter-of-factly. "It didn't go well."
Rahl frowned but did not press the issue. "Give me the Oran Berries, and the Super Potion," he instructed. "I shall use them to heal Ash."
"Are-Are you sure they'll work on humans?" said Bonnie fearfully. Rahl nodded at her. "They will, no worries," he said reassuringly. "I've used them many times myself, and it turned out just fine."
The lemon blonde nodded, looking relieved.
Rahl first took the small blue bottle from Serena's bag and unscrewed it. He popped a few Oran Berries in the flask and shook it vigorously, the berries smashing inside. The potion immediately turned a shade of yellow.
"Hold him still," Rahl told Clemont, "and Serena, hold his mouth open." Both inventor and Performer mutely did as they were told. The white haired trainer then tipped some of the mixture into Ash's mouth, and made him swallow.
"Hand me the mint," said Rahl. Serena passed the green leaves to him, and he started to rub them together, a sharp, pleasant tang filling the air.
Bonnie breathed in, as did Dedenne. Squishy didn't have a nose, but then again it could make sounds while having no mouth, so it enjoyed the scent as well.
"What are you going to do with that?" asked Clemont.
"Wake him up." Rahl held the mint under Ash's nose, and the trainer awoke almost immediately. Spluttering, Ash looked around groggily until he could focus on Rahl, Clemont, Bonnie, and of course, Pikachu. The Mouse Pokemon gave a cry of joy at seeing its trainer awake finally, and jumped onto his shoulder without a second thought.
Ash slowly reached up to pat Pikachu on the head. "Where am I?" he asked the room at large. "The last thing I remember is Greninja being hit by Flare Blitz, then….wait, is Greninja okay?!"
Ash suddenly panicked, obviously worried for his Pokemon's safety, but Serena put a hand on his shoulder and smiled sweetly. "Don't worry Ash, Greninja's being taken care of by Nurse Joy."
"And Infernape," reminded Clemont.
"And Infernape," agreed Serena.
"That's-That's great," stammered Ash, embarrasedly blushing. Serena also reddened and turned away, laughing awkwardly. "Ha ha…."
For the first time since the battle, amusement flickered across Rahl's face, but he made no comment. Clemont was very much the same way, although Bonnie was red in the face from trying not to laugh.
'He's obviously figured it out as well,' thought Rahl, eyes on Clemont. 'We shall definitely have to discuss- wait, I haven't even agreed to travel with these people! What am I thinking?! I'm already considering them as-!'
"Rahl?" asked Serena concernedly.
"What? What is it?" asked Rahl, peering at the other with disquiet shimmering in his eyes.
"Oh nothing, it's just…you look kinda disturbed," commented Bonnie.
"De ne ne," said Dedenne, the Antenna Pokemon obviously in agreement.
"It's nothing, just…" Rahl took a deep breath. "Can I- er- travel with you guys? You're obviously in the Pokemon League as well, and so am I, so yeah," he continued, referring to Ash.
There was a slight, surprised, silence in the air. Obviously, no one had expected Rahl to ask this question. But then-
"Goes without saying!" said Ash cheerfully. "Can you pitch a tent, light a fire, and fight wild Pokemon?"
"Ash," reprimanded Clemont. "You're being too direct."
"I can do all those things, yes," said Rahl, smiling.
"Then it's settled!" said Serena, smiling back.
"Welcome to the team!~" said Bonnie happily.
"Thanks," said Rahl. "You know," he added after a short pause, "My hometown, do any of you know of it? Ifrit Town?"
"Ifrit Town?" asked Serena, frowning. "I've never heard of it."
"I have, though," said Clemont. "Why?"
Rahl sucked in a breath.
"Ah ha, its nothing," he said, playing it off. "It's just, well, I wanted to see whether you knew or not. That's all," he added awkwardly.
"Oh, okay then," said Ash, though looking a little suspicious. 'Does he suspect we really want nothing to do with him?'
At that moment, a loud BANG issued through the windows, cracking the glass on impact. Rahl, Ash, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, Pikachu and Dedenne all covered their ears, wincing in pain. Ash looked up angrily. "Team Rocket!"
Rahl cursed. "Let's get going," he said. "Ash, you stay here," he added, hurtling to the doorstep. Serena and Clemont followed suit and Bonnie sped ahead of both of them.
"Hey, don't leave me behind!" protested Ash. Rahl ignored him.
But as the gang rushed out of the Pokemon Center, they soon noticed that it wasn't Jessie and James who had caused the chaos. Rather, it was a group of four, all wearing the Rocket symbol on their chests. They stood on a heap of wreckage, admiring the screams and wails amidst the city.
"Who are you?" asked Rahl coldly, which drew their attention.
The first of them, a haughty, orange haired woman with sharp features, replied, "I am Ariana."
"My name is Proton, the fortress!" said a green haired man scarily. "None shall come in our way!"
A man with a purple mohawk bowed flamboyantly. "Petrel, master of disguise!"
And lastly, a man with a demeanor as cold as a Glalie's breath stepped forward. "Archer," he informed curtly. "Get out of the way, kids. Or I'll show you an angry adult's wrath."
"Ohh, scary," snapped Serena boldly. This made Proton angry.
"I'll show you insolent kids my power!" he yelled, jumping down and enlarging a Pokeball in his hand.
"We are the Elite of Team Rocket!" Ariana added, landing beside Proton and snapping out a Pokeball of her own. "You can't possibly beat us!"
"We'll prove you wrong," yelled Clemont, throwing a Pokeball out on the field. "Luxray, come on out!"
The Gleam Eyes Pokemon gave a battle cry and faced its opponents, a challenging glare in its eyes.
Ariana smirked. "Vileplume, go!" she ordered, and threw her Pokeball.
"And you, Weezing!" shouted Proton. The two Pokemon glared at Luxray, readying themselves for battle.
"Two on one?" asked Rahl. "I don't think so! Scizor, let's do this!" he yelled. His Pokeball exploded, and released a very menacing red-armored Pokemon.
Serena's Pokedex scanned them all, and it sang, "Vileplume, the Flower Pokemon. It's large head is heavy and scatters pollen everywhere. Weezing, the Poison Gas Pokemon. It loves the smell of garbage, and inhales it to become bigger. (Bonnie shivered at this.) Scizor, the Pincer Pokemon. It has a body as hard as steel, and it is not affected by weak attacks."
Petrel and Archer made no movement. "We'll let you clean up here," Archer smirked contemptuously. "Ariana, Proton, do not fail us...and Lord Giovanni."
"Yes, yes, we know," said Proton, aggrieved.
"These scum don't stand a chance!" said Ariana mockingly.
"Let's go, then!" taunted Rahl. "Scizor, use Bullet Punch!"
"Luxray," ordered Clemont, "use Electric Terrain!"
And that's it! I'm REALLY sorry for the shortness of this chapter, but what can I say, I've been sick!
An interesting battle has occurred! Rahl and Clemont are battling two Executives of Team Rocket, but why are they here? Why Anistar City? Find out in the next chapter of BPL!
Please, please, read and review guys! And I thank all of those who have done so already!
-Nirgends101