Kanto Chapter 16 - Seafoam Island
Pikachu bolted in fear, darting into the maze of piping and wires that amassed behind the scenes of the long-forgotten Kanto Power Plant. The Magnemite who usually bobbed carefree around the machinery, trembled as they hovered in the shadows. Pidgey cooed nervously in the rafters of the ceiling looking down at the unfolding scene.
Strange people had been coming and going for some weeks now at the Plant since Electrode and the Voltorb had gone at the hands of a plucky young trainer. The wild pokémon who resided in the Route 10 dwelling had felt uneasy with their antics but never overly threatened. However today was quite different. Today a small army of the people came, all dressed in black. Uniformed in their attire and actions. The troop moved with purpose, their auras exuding malice.
The pokémon were afraid.
Raichu growled, baring her teeth and sparking her cheeks at the intruders but retreated with the pikachu into the background as an intimidating number of legs marched by them. The shadows of the offenders creating an almost strobe light like effect as they passed.
A radio device crackled interrupting the monotonous sound of footsteps against the low hums and whirrs of the background equipment.
The people in black fanned themselves out around the wide corridor and placed strange round electronic devices around.
Crrrrrrzzzzzkkkkk "Team B are you in position?"
Crrrrrrzzzzzzkkkkk "Copy that Team Leader. Entrance secured, positions in place. With the Mean Look Seals the boffins created at HQ, nothing is going to get past us. Over."
On queue one the of the devices beamed up a hologram of piercing purple eyes.
Raichu and the pikachu looked on, rooted to the spot in fear.
Crrrrrzzzzzzkkkk "Roger that, making our way to the control room now. Over"
….
….
The tense radio silence broke, voices rang out from the speaker.
Crrrrzzzzzkkkkk "It's here, it's here!" … "Target spotted and is in the vicinity. Moving in! Over."
"Throw out the Mean Look traps on the exits!"
"Execellent, the traps work, it's trapped here."
"Go left, repeat go left"
"We've got it corned!"
"Pokéball go!" ... "I choose you!" … "You're up, go!"
"Squuuuuuaaaaaaaaaa"
"Tauros use Sandstorm!"
Loud squawking and crashes of lightning dominated the soundwaves.
Crrrrrzzzzzzzzzzzzzkkkkkkk crrrrrrrrrrzzzzzzzzzkkkkkk crrrrrrrrrrzzzzzkkkkkk
"Tauros is ….! Repeat Tauros is down!"
"We've lost Kangaskhan."
"Nidoking … … return."
"Squaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"
"Rhyperior use Rock Slide!"
"Squaarrrrrrr squarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"
"It flinched, it flinched! Attack, attack!"
"Rhyperior Rock Wrecker!"
"Graveler use Stone Edge!"
"Direct hits!"
"Alpha Team, now's our chance! Throw every Ultraball you have! Go, Go, Go, Go!"
Crrrrrrzzzzzzzzzzzzkkkkkkk crrrrrrrrrrrrrzzzzzzzzzzzkkkkkkkkk
The radio broadcast crackled and distorted.
"Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" The pikachu squealed, nuzzling into Raichu for protection and comfort.
Raichu embraced them, her ears folded down. She squeezed her eyes shut.
Then the noise went dead.
There was complete silence. The usual feint whirring noises of struggling machinery ceased completely. The pidgeys lining the roof rafters stopped cooing.
Beeeep beeeeep ccrrrzzzkkk
The radio sprung back to life and a clear voice came through its speaker.
"Alpha Team B, this is Alpha Team A. Target is secured. … We have Zapdos. I repeat we have Zapdos."
Cheers rang out in the corridors, with sounds of slapping high fives and pats on the back.
"Raiiiiiiii chu." The pokémon cried out sadly as she comforted her pikachu, trembling in her embrace.
"The Legendary pokémon, Zapdos, now belongs to Team Rocket."
Amber stretched, swinging her right arm round to relax the shoulder muscles in her throwing arm, whilst leisurely making her way over to the cabin door. It was nice to be in dry clothes again and even better it wouldn't be long until she reached Cinnabar Island and her next Gym Challenge.
The cabins floor barely rocked underneath her feet, she smiled.
Seems the sea is in a good mood; I'll head out onto the deck, bet I'll see some cool water pokémon out here. Ooooh maybe those people will even let me sail the boat a little!
Her thoughts went to a vision of the guy and girl who's boat she was on.
Those guys I can't put my finger on it, they seem a little ... off, bit weird, also like really familiar ... but hey a free lift is a free lift, guess it's just my good fortune they happened to show up when they did.
The teenager twisted the handle and moved forwards only to faceplant into the unmoving door. Frowning she fiddled with the door handle, twisting and pushing.
"Heyyyyy the door is stuck!" She called out banging against the wooden frame, trying to alert the attention of the two boat owners' kind enough to offer her a ride.
"Oh, it's not stuck girl, it's locked." The female voice called out from the other side of the door.
"Locked?! What do you mean locked? What's going on? Who are you?" Amber called out, continuing to bang and push against the door with more urgency.
"Who … are … we?"
"We'll tell you who we are." The male voice chimed in.
"Prepare for trouble."
"And make it double."
Amber paused at the speech coming from the other side of the door. This seemed familiar.
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all peoples within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Thea."
"Shane."
The Rocket Duo pulled back on their black Rocket uniforms, discarding their beachwear into the air.
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
Flashbacks of Lavender Town raced through Ambers mind. Team Rocket! I forgot all about them!
"You jerks! Still harbouring what happened in Vermillion? Get over it and let me out now!" Amber screamed as she started to shoulder barge the door, attempting in vain to knock it open.
"Vermillion?" Thea and Shane looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
"We have no interest in that, Amber Ketchum." Shane shouted down.
"We have an interest in your Daddy, little girl." Thea followed.
"My ... Dad?" Amber paled. She had no idea what was going on, but this wasn't good. Really wasn't good.
"Yes, and now if you don't mind, we'll be taking a little detour on our way to Cinnabar Island to Team Rocket Head Quarters!" Thea mocked. "Guess you might not make that Gym Match after all. Sorrrrrrrrrry" The bottle blonde added sarcastically.
"NO!" Amber shoved her shoulder against the door harder.
"Don't worry babe, our Bosses will be very happy to meet you. You'll be the guest of honour. More than worth it." Shane joined in the teasing.
"For us!" Thea laughed. "Speaking of the bosses, it's time to call this in." Thea held up her phone.
Shane nodded in agreement.
The Rocket Agents dialled in, two shaded faces appeared in the monitor, glare obscuring their features.
"Thea, Shane it's about time. We need a status report. Stat. Your mission has now been bumped up to Magenta priority." A voice barked through the speakers.
"You will be pleased to hear we can confirm without doubt our target is the daughter of Pokémon Master Ash Ketchum and Water Leader Misty Ketchum."
"Fantastic news. Send over your findings at once await Bravo Team's arrival." The other voice chimed in.
"Actually, Ma'am, Sir, there will be no need for Team Bravo." Thea replied confidently.
"What?!"
"Due to a chain of fortunate events we happen to have the target secured in a vessel and are en route to Head Quarters as we speak."
"Wha …bu … how ... why? Ugh, no matter. What is your current location?"
"Our current location … we are … ehhhh …" Thea panicked, if she gave up their location it would immediately be questioned why they were not near Vermillion and found out they had purposely delayed the mission. Could she keep up the rouse?
Amber sat down on the bed of the cabin, head in her hands as her thoughts swirled.
What's going on? How do they know me? What do they want with Dad? Does Dad even know about Team Rocket? Was this what Mom and Dad were so worried about? … Why I was never allowed out on my own? … Ugh why did I accept that stupid lift from stupid strangers! Stupid stupid stupid! I should have known better, I should have listened ...
Tears pricked her eyes.
I'm in over my head ...
Amber picked up her communication device and flipped it open. She paused before dialling.
If I do this ... my journey is over ... but if I don't do this ... ...
A pokéball on her belt flashed open and Pichu emerged.
"Huh? Pichu?" Amber looked surprised.
"Pichu pi pi pi pichupiii" The little mouse rested his paw on his trainer's thigh.
Amber looked down a wiped her eyes and side smiled. "You're right Pichu."
She switched the device off and put it away and pulled off another pokéball, enlarging it in her hand.
"This is just another battle to win."
"We are …." The screened device Thea was holding began distorting.
"Agent Thea! Where …" zzzzrrrccckkkk "Agent Thea, do …" zzzzrrrcccckk "… copy?"
Huh? Thea tilted her head as the sound cut out and monitor fuzzed. She looked up at Shane. "Is this your doing?"
Shane shook his head and pointed up at the darkening sky.
Rain drops began hitting the fuzzing monitor, getting bigger and more frequent.
Thea and Shane looked up; a low rumble of thunder rippled through the clouds.
"Electabuzz Mega Punch!"
"Huh?" The two agents cried in union before seeing the boat's cabin door fly full force at them. They manged to duck in time, narrowly missing what was sure to be a nasty concussion, before slowly turning back to face the cabin entrance.
Electabuzz stepped forwards, behind him his red headed trainer, eyes blazing matching the ferocity of her wild bright fire hair. Ever faithful Pichu was perched on her shoulder. They all seemed to glow against the backdrop of the darkening sky.
More rumbles of thunder ruptured, and the waves of the ocean began to rock violently.
"Hey! It took us a long time to steal this boat! Have some respect!" Thea spat.
Amber merely steeled her glare in response, her mouth pressed into a thin line, jaw locked. "This ends here. Now. Whatever this is."
"Look hun, we don't have time for this, Koffing go!" Shane released his pokémon. Thea following suit with her Zubat.
"A Koffing and a Zubat?" Amber lamented at the familiarity, but quickly shook it off as she mentally prepared for the pokémon battle before her.
Amber, Electabuzz and Pichu stood ready. The other side of the boat Shane, Thea, Koffing and Zubat mirrored their opponents.
The two sides stood, staring their opposition down against the darkened sky and fierce ocean waves, rocking the boat.
Amber gritted her teeth and clenched her fist. "Electabuzz use!"
Giant cracks of lightning bared down from the sky, with an almighty rumble of thunder, interrupting the command of the Electric Trainer.
"Arrrrghghghghghgghhhhhhhhhhh!"
A huge wave smacked into the side of the sailboat. Amber braced her stance and used her arm to shield her eyes and Pichu on her shoulder, but the small boat was unable to weather the blow, sending everyone flying around the deck.
"Oooooof." The individuals and their pokémon smacked into different parts of the boat, barely recovering before another wave hit, capsizing the boat and sending all inhabitants into the choppy ferocious ocean.
Amber hit the salty water, the sound, smell, taste and feel invading all her senses.
Pichu …. Electabuzz …
A wave crashed down over her and everything went black.
"Ughhhhhhhhhhh"
Amber felt a tingle run all through her body, jolting her senses.
She could hear ocean waves splashing against the shore and smell the damp and salt water. Feelings started to return to her body, she was lying against something cold, wet and hard.
Rock?
"Electabuzz!"
Opening her eyes, a familiar fuzzy face filled her entire view.
"Electabuzz?" The striped pokémon called out softy.
"Electabuzz! Oh I'm so glad your OK! Did you shock me back to life?"
"Buzz buzz!"
"Thanks buddy." Amber tickled her pokémon's cheek.
"Pi pi pi chuuuu" Pichu, lying next to his trainer, also picked himself up after the small jolt from his teammate.
"Pichu! You're ok too!"
The trainer and pokémon hugged. Relived they were all ok.
The trio were on a small beach littered with rocky outcroppings. Amber pulled herself up to a sitting position, wincing at her sore and aching body. Bruises already starting to form. She looked around. The sky was dark, the ocean waves, whilst still choppy, had calmed down dramatically, frothing and foaming up against the shore.
The sky was still dark but she could no longer sense the vicious thunderstorm from earlier.
"This must be Sea Foam Island." Amber exclaimed out loud.
Scanning the area, Amber saw the capsized boat, wedged in a rocky outcropping. She continued to scan her surroundings; her eyes fell on two unconscious black clothed individuals, their poison type pokémon bobbing around them unsure what to do.
"Are they…?"
Getting to her feet the teenager wandered over, her pokémon following.
Shane could hear the most beautiful voice. His eyes opened to a sight matching. Lying flat on his back on a sandy beach, a beautiful – albeit remarkably familiar looking girl with fire red hair – was stroking his forehead and singing gently.
The bright sun was beating down on them, soft waves crashing against the shore and the feint sound of wingull's calling in the background. Could this be paradise?
"Oh you're awake, I'm so glad." The girl called out. Her voice breathy and melodic. "I was so worried you were no longer, but I found you breathing, so I brought you back to me."
Shane sat up slightly and saw the girl whilst very human in the top half, adorned with a cute lilac brasserie, evolved into a scaly long fish tail on the bottom half. A Mermaid!
"You saved me?" Shane enquired, looking back into the mergirl's chocolate brown eyes.
The beautiful mermaid smiled and nodded "Yes I saved you, I couldn't bear the thought of losing you." Her fingers running through his floppy wet brown hair. "I've been following you for some time now."
Shane lifted his hand up and traced down a lock of her wet fire red hair between his fingers, then moving his hand over, caressed her beautiful face.
"You know who I am?"
The mermaid nodded. "Yes and ... I love you."
"I must be dreaming" Shane murmured leaning his face in towards hers.
The familiar looking mermaid leaned in also and breathlessly whispered against his lips. "Wake up."
"Wake up!"
Shane slowly opened his brilliant green eyes to see a pair of deep chocolate eyes staring back at him. A pale complexion against wild, fire red hair hanging damp around her shoulders.
"Hey wake up."
"Mermaid? Am I dreaming?" He mumbled coming around.
Amber tilted her head, a puzzled look across her face. Shanes vision began to focus, and Ambers face became clear.
Clear and only inches away. The pretty redhead was knelt at his side, hand gently rocking his chest, bringing him round. Her pokémon stood ready a meter or so behind.
The young Rocket agent blinked a few times before coming to his senses.
"Um are you ok?" Amber quizzed.
A small blush came over Shanes face, his heart pounding in his chest.
It's just like my dream! He internally squealed. His hand began to move on it's own accord, slowly reaching up, lips slightly puckering.
Thea started to come too, hearing the small commotion. Her eyes focused and saw their target within arm's reach.
"Ah! We've got you now! No escape!" Leaping to her feet with lightning like reflexes, Thea instantly got into battle stance. Shane noted his teammates actions and followed suit, jumping away from his crush to stand with his Rocket partner. Koffing and Zubat hovering next to them. They could not afford to screw this up this time.
Amber frowned at their sheer lack of decency. As if I actually came over to help these clowns. Whatever, I'll defeat them and then they'll answer to me! She rose up to accept their challenge, Pichu and Electabuzz jumping to their trainer's side, battle ready once more.
A big rumble was heard in the distance, soon followed by huge rush of cold air sweeping across them, causing all parties to flinch and shiver.
Cold? But why?
"Squuueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"
A stunning giant glacial looking bird pokémon arose from the background.
All three pokémon trainers and the pokémon looked up in awe at the magnificent sight, jaws gaping.
Articuno the Legendary Ice Bird Pokémon revealed itself.
"SQEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"
The legendary pokémon screeched loudly, causing everyone to cover their ears at the offending noise and scrunch their faces up in pain.
"Ahhh Shane make it stop! Make it sto-o-op!" Thea cried out as the shrill cry pierced her ear drums.
"Squueee Squueee SQUEEEEEEEEE"
The legendary bird flapped it's wings with ferocity, blasts of icy winds emitted from them as the pokémon launched off into the sky, leaving the island and it's resting home.
Amber dived down to the floor, taking Electabuzz and Pichu with her, protecting them from the icy blast. She opened an eye and took her hands away from her ears. The noise had gone and so had Articuno. She looked around and saw the Rocket Duo with their pokémon frozen solid, entombed in a block of ice from Articuno's Blizzard Attack.
"I'd call that Karma." Amber smirked at the villains misfortune as she rose up from the floor and gestured for her pokémon to follow as she took off towards the capsized boat, still stuck against the crashing waves of the shore.
"Ugggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhgggggg" Thea screamed muffled through their thick ice prison as she saw their meal ticket running away from them once again.
Shane internally sighed. It was supposed to be different this time ...
Amber inspected the boat and drooped with disappointment; the boat was totalled on the rocks. There was a huge hole in the side and the sail was split in two. It wouldn't sail.
"Oh great we're stuck, and those guys won't stay chilled for long …" The young redhead despaired, desperately looking around for any means to escape the island when her eyes landed on ... a surfboard! It was the surfboard she'd brought on board from route 19.
Rushing over to the potentially life saving chunk of wood, she checked it over. It was fine. Amber smiled and looked to her pokémon. "Guys we're getting off this island! Pichu help me navigate the waves, I can't do this without you buddy."
"Pi!" Pichu bounded over to his trainer.
Amber recalled Electabuzz and released her Magnemite.
"Magnemite, I need you to be my compass can you pick up magnetic North?"
"Mag mag mag mag magnemite magnemite"
The little floating magnet spun and faced direction.
Amber nodded. "Then this direction is West, West to Cinnabar Island!"
Pichu jumped onto the surfboard as Amber paddled them out into the ocean waves, heading hopefully in the direction of their intended destination and away from the danger on Sea Foam Island.
Or so they think.
Author Note: I feel this chapter is short but a lot happened :-0
Not sure if I rushed the pacing but it felt natural and anything more just seemed like needless padding...
Next chapter will be quite the rollercoaster!