I-Route 1 is one of the most scenic routes in Kanto. Here the road narrows from four lanes down to just two but it remains a rather straight, flowing thoroughfare that connects Viridian City to the small community of Pallet Town to its south. The route passes through scenic green meadows, lush forests, and stony gray mountains headed toward the verdant fields surrounding the town. The road was a favorite with many of the region's truckers since it provided a quick passage to both Pallet Town and the docks at the end of I-Route 21 where cargoes connected to area islands or far eastern Johto ports were regularly shipped in and out.
Pallet Town itself was a pretty small community, almost all cargoes headed there were related to the area's various farms and agricultural industries or its status as the launching point for the journey of most of the region's Pokémon trainers. The town famously had just one restaurant but three very successful stores that all sold camping equipment, backpacks, and other items specifically geared toward a new trainer headed out on their journey. The often expensive or vital shipments of Pokémon research equipment, supplies, and other items heading to the lab of a certain Professor Samuel Oak were the most notable exceptions to that trend and today there was a doozy of a cargo headed his way.
With the clock now reading 7:07 a.m. a new day had dawned in western Kanto but the arrival of daylight had only minor benefits for the crew of GS Transport Truck #2,013 as driver Ken Worth and his teammate Fennekin continued their desperate charge toward the laboratory with two special cases aboard, one loaded with Pokémon Ranger-spec Capture Stylers and the other filled to the brim with enough Master Balls to remake the world if they were to fall into the wrong hands. Ken was looking at his mirror almost as often as the road ahead as his big rig sped down the road with just a single Team Rocket pursuer still hunting them in an effort to hijack the precious cargo.
With most of the Rocket gang's chasers having been crashed out of the pursuit near Viridian City only the lone red sports car of Robert, Ellee, and their Purrloin remained in pursuit. The car was faster than the truck by a long shot but that did little good at the moment. Since the road had narrowed, they now stood little chance of passing it especially given how willingly the truck driver had just turned the highway through Viridian into a straight up demolition derby. The car also stood no chance of being able to physically force the much heavier commercial truck off the road. Instead for now the pair just held back, lying in wait. With Plan RB in place Robert and Ellee knew that their goal shouldn't so much be trying to stop Truck #2,013 but more just assuring it couldn't escape, like a Herdier guiding Wooloo into the barn to get sheared. The trio had sinister smiles on their faces, fully aware of what was next.
Aboard the truck Ken and Fennekin was starting to cool off a little. Ken was well aware that car couldn't stop him if he kept moving and Fennekin easily picked up on his trainer's improving mode. As his truck began to pull away from the car a bit Ken let out a minor sigh of what could be called relief. He wasn't sure if he could lose them completely by the time he got to Pallet Town but he was confident that if he could just get to Professor Oak's laboratory the problem would solve itself. Many trainers from across the region, his twin sister Sandra included, sent their Pokémon to live with the professor when they weren't in action so he could care and them. There was no doubt in Ken's mind the man must have some real powerhouses at his disposal and the knowledge to use them. There had been some direct Team Rocket attacks on his compound before and they usually ended up with the would-be thieves blasted out of town.
The blue-and-gold GS Transport truck passed a sign refreshingly reading that Pallet Town was only a few markers further down the road. The last leg of this two-hour run with a cargo he was never supposed to carry was finally about to be over. The last leg of the journey would take Ken and Fennekin through a true wonder of highway engineering, the famous Pallet Road Tunnel.
Depending on how you wanted to measure it the tunnel was a shortcut that ran just over five miles or eight kilometers straight under a mountain. Before the tunnel was built Pallet Town could only be reached by winding roads through the mountains that were tough to drive and took hours to traverse. The construction of the tunnel cut the journey down just minutes but it wasn't easy to build. The tunnel famously had a bend to its route because harder than expected rock near its center forced it to be rerouted, it was impossible to see from one end of it to the other as a result. Radios also got bad reception inside the tunnel due to all the rock and cell phone service wasn't available.
Almost every new trainer who arrived or set off on their Pokémon journey by car would start their trip by passing through the tunnel and that fact wasn't lost on its builders. The words "Journey On" had been proudly engraved on the tunnel above both of its entrances. Ken had a smile on his face as his truck stormed into the tunnel when he glanced in the mirror to see the little red sports car braking hard and seemingly give up the chase, its driver choosing not to enter the tunnel. Ken backed off the throttle since he no longer needed to push his truck to outrun it.
"Oh thank Arceus," Ken said. "That's the last of them buddy. Looks like they won't chase us into Pallet itself."
"Fen, Fennekin," Fennekin happily barked in return.
"You were awesome back there," Ken said, reaching over to give the little yellow fox a happy pet. "We're going to make it. We are finally going to make it."
"Fen fen," Fennekin yipped.
Ken thought for a moment about how he'd need to call his dispatcher once the delivery was made, his truck would certainly need some repairs and with his CB radio being knocked out early in the chase they were probably wondering where he was. He also couldn't wait to brag to some of the other truckers about this crazy run.
The mention of other truckers though suddenly turned Ken's smile upside down. I-Route 1 was popular among truckers but he hadn't seen any this morning. Even at this early hour someone should be northbound from the I-Route 21 docks with some sort of load. As Truck #2,013 passed the halfway mark of the tunnel Ken started looking around more intently, something wasn't right here. The tunnel was only two lanes wide like the rest of the route so turning his big truck around in here wasn't going to be an option. He continued driving at a normal speed as his truck rounded the bend in the tunnel.
As the end of the Pallet Road Tunnel came into view Ken and Fennekin briefly breathed a real sigh of relief as they noticed two sets of headlights in the distance, one in each lane. Cars weren't supposed to try and pass in the tunnel but that was close enough to the entrance the driver probably just misjudged their timing. Things were looking well for a second until Fennekin started barking wildly and Ken noticed said cars weren't moving.
"Oh, this is going to be trouble," Ken said.
"Fen," replied his Pokémon with a solemn bark.
Ken braked and Truck #2,013 slowed as it approached the exit. The two cars had been placed at angle across both lanes with their front bumpers almost touching. Ken hoped just for a moment this might be a fender bender or something minor but judging by the lack of any backed up traffic behind them it was clear this was likely something more sinister. This was a road block and there was no way around it. The Pallet Road Tunnel was a natural choke point in their journey and the opposition had jumped on it.
The big truck slowed to a stop only about 30 feet from the cars. Its brakes let off a mighty hiss as the pursuit that began in the Viridian Forest finally paused. Ken and Fennekin were close enough they could see the full details blockade, two well-made luxury cars and two men, one short and one tall, in nice suits that both had a small "R" insignia on the front.
"I have to hand it to Team Rocket," Ken said sarcastically. "They do know how to take advantage of strong branding."
The two well-dressed grunts both had belts adorned with numerous Poké Balls. The short one reached down to put his hand on one as the tall one climbed over the hood of one of the cars and started walking toward the truck. Ken was already thinking about if there was a way to get back out of this situation and he was starting to think he had one.
"Alright hot head, turn off the engine and hand over the crates," the tall grunt called up to Ken. "You had your fun but this is over. Let's not make it messier than it has to be."
Ken gave him a smile out his rig's missing windshield and reached down before lifting up one of the cases into the grunt's line of sight. Quietly he then put it down as the grunt approached the truck.
"I got a plan," Ken said to Fennekin. "Hang on."
Ken grabbed his gear shifter and hit the clutch. The sound of him doing this was audible and the tall grunt looked up then began running toward the truck. Ken threw his truck into reverse and mashed the accelerator pedal. He couldn't turn around but he could back up. With the backup beeper sound echoing off the tunnel Truck #2,013 took off with the grunt still running toward it. Fennekin got up and dash and waved the a friendly bye-bye to the grunt. Ken also gave him a wave but used noticeably less digits than his partner did. The tall grunt ran as fast as he could but tired as the truck maintained a steady momentum started to vanish around the bend. The grunt walked back toward his partner with a dejected look on his face.
"Relax, he's not going to get far," said the short grunt. "He's boxed it. They always stop."
In the truck Ken's head was scanning in all directions as he alternated between looking out the passenger side mirror, sticking his head out the driver's window to make up for that mirror getting knocked off earlier, and looking down at the truck's dashboard gauges. Trucks were designed to reverse but they weren't designed to do it for a long distance like backing out of the tunnel, especially at a notable speed like he was attempting. Fuel cell trucks, like the old diesels, needed air flow through the radiator grill at the front of the truck to keep cool and operate efficiently. Backing out like this was sending the needle measuring the truck's operating temperature skyward in a risky manner. Ken also had to be careful with the wheel since the steering was effectively flip-flopped when doing this.
"Once we're out of the tunnel I'm going turn around and we'll take the old road up through the mountains," Ken said to Fennekin. "There's a couple different routes we can use to get to Pallet from there. It's going to take a while but we'll get there and they can't possibly block all of them. If all else fails we'll just go back to Viridian and get help."
The Viridian City side of the tunnel came into view but Ken didn't start smiling as he saw the exit was blocked by a certain red convertible parked lengthwise and unoccupied across both lanes. He made the decision to go for it anyway since there was no way that car was as strong as the other two. Truck #2,013's horn sounded twice before the reversing rig slammed into the little sports car. The car's side was crushed in instantly as the truck smashed into it. Ken braked to send the crunched convertible sliding away out of the tunnel but in the process his truck locked up and slid to the side itself slightly.
Because of the slide Truck #2,013 was not fully out of the tunnel but Ken now had a clear view down the road and right before he reached down to change gears and start his turnaround he noticed some people standing in the road that he was fast becoming all too familiar with. Robert, Ellee, and Purrloin stood right in the center of the road and now it became abundantly clear that convertible road block wasn't meant to stop him but just slow him down for the real attack to begin. Dispensing with the pleasantries Robert and Ellee were now both wearing the standard black Team Rocket uniform adorned with the infamous big red "R."
"Oh great, that bikini chick and her chauffeur from the Viridian Forest are back," said Ken. "Nice to see they got some real clothes on now though."
Robert pulled out a Poké Ball and tossed it into the center of the road. It clicked open with the bright white figure of the Pokémon it contained first emerging then growing to reveal a giant Onix. The monstrous Rock Snake Pokémon towered over the big rig. It roared with power. Truck #2,013 shook just from the sound.
"Play time is over," Robert said. "Prepare for trouble, for surrendering it's now time."
"Make it double," Ellee added. "This here is the end of the line."
"Purrloin!" added their purple cat before it struck a pose with claws extended.
"Drop the cases and we'll let you walk away," Robert yelled to Ken. "Otherwise I don't think you'll like what comes next."
The motto was barely audible in the cab but the mere sight of the massive Onix had Ken suddenly rethinking his escape plans. That thing was probably large enough and had the weight behind it to seriously damage or disable his truck. Still being in the tunnel gave him a little time to think. The Onix began to slither toward the truck to attack it as Ken turned to his partner.
"Can you fight that thing?" he asked.
"Kin," Fennekin responded.
The little fire type was right, with both a type and size disadvantage like this he'd stand no chance against Onix and the best they could likely hope from a battle would be to try and stall for help that was unlikely to come. Ken hit the steering wheel in frustration.
"Son of a gun," Ken said angrily. "We did all this just and all we've gotten is caught between a literal rock and a hard place. There's got to be a way out of this."
Fennekin looked out the windshield and noticed that their truck still had enough room to pull forward. He thought of a suggestion then gulped at what it would entail. He barked to get Ken's attention then when his partner looked over he made a gesture with one of his front paws implying "floor it."
"Fen kin," Fennekin said.
"Are you crazy?" Ken said. "That's a road block down there. There's no way we'd ever get through that without a serious crash."
"Fen kin," Fennekin repeated, making the same gesture.
Robert and Ellee both had a smile on their faces.
"It's all over now but the screaming," Ellee said.
"Onix, tear up that truck but watch the cab and cargo," Robert ordered to his rock type.
Onix roared in response.
Ken looked at the approaching Onix then looked down the tunnel. He then looked over to Fennekin and down at the suitcases. He thought back to Peter's words about not stopping for anything and delivering the cargo. Ken made the decision to go for it.
"You're right," Ken said. "We're are so not going down without a fight."
Outside Robert and Ellee were ready for the kill.
"Onix, tackle it," Robert said.
"There's nowhere for him to go now," Ellee said.
Onix charged in for the attack but Ken popped the clutch and mashed the accelerator straight to the floorboard. Truck #2,013 jerked forward and then took off, vanishing down the tunnel just as Onix entered it. The Rock Snake Pokémon slammed into the wall of the tunnel as the GS Transport truck sped away. It stood no chance of catching the truck now and Robert recalled it as he and Ellee walked toward the entrance.
"Or, well he could do that," Ellee.
"He's not getting through," Robert said. "He can run but he can't hide."
"You know in hindsight maybe sacrificing the car to set up that attack wasn't the best idea," Ellee noted, glancing over at their destroyed convertible.
"Eh, we're insured," Robert replied. "And he's not going much further."
Inside the cab Ken couldn't believe what he was about to do. This was going to be a deliberate crash and it certain to be a wild one. With his truck's size and intended speed he believed he should be able to punch through the two cars but when the impact came all bets were off. As a nice bonus commercial trucks like the 550 Dittocruiser also are not equipped with airbags like a car would be.
Ken reached over with one arm and grabbed the passenger's side seat belt before pulling it over to buckle Fennekin in. The Pokémon smiled at the thought. He then picked up one of the cases and handed it to his partner.
"Hold this tight," Ken said. "Right before we hit take a brace position and hold onto it the best you can. You take that one and I'll take the other one. We're in this together."
"Fen," Fennekin replied, understanding the order.
On the other end of the tunnel the two Rocket grunts heard the truck coming.
"He's coming back," said the tall grunt.
"Don't worry, they always stop," his short partner replied.
The needle on the truck's speedometer kept climbing as Ken kept his foot planted to the floor. The Celadon City driver was now zooming up through the Dittocruiser's many gears at a speed that would make a race car driver in the 24 Hours of Laverre City jealous. The truck's speed was now up to the point that the lights on the side of the tunnel were starting to blur together. With all the action earlier today Truck #2,013 was starting to run a little rough, the normally quiet rig was now letting out a roar like a diesel truck as it blitzed toward its destiny at a breakneck speed.
The truck approached the bend in the tunnel. At this point Ken knew he was now passed the point of no return. Even if he let off the accelerator and hit the brakes now Truck #2,013 was carrying far too much momentum to stop in time. This was going to be a big hit. He picked up the second case and prepared for inevitable. Fennekin had positioned his case underneath him.
"Are you ready for this," Ken said, putting out a fist in the direction of his partner.
"Fen, Fennekin kin ne" Fennekin replied, putting out a paw to bump his trainer's fist.
"Here we go," Ken said.
Ken never thought he'd be planning how to deliberately crash his truck but now the moment was here. He could choose to take either lane and smash into one of the cars on the side or go straight up the middle and ram both of them. Impacting from the side would give him just one car to hit but it would mean crashing into the passenger compartment, an area car companies usually reinforced well to protect the vehicle's passengers. He decided to go for the middle, hitting both cars head on. The front of cars was usually designed with crumple zones that were designed to give way in a wreck which Ken decided in this context might be his only potential chance at finding a weak spot. He just hoped those grunts had the good sense to move.
Truck #2,013 roared around the bend. As it did Ken flashed the headlight's high beams and jammed on the truck's horn trying to warn the Rocket grunts.
"Ah, he's still coming," said the tall grunt nervously.
"They always stop," replied the short one with confidence.
Ken again hit the horn and the flashed the lights. He lifted his foot from the gas pedal for a moment then jammed it down again specifically so that the engine made more of an acceleration noise. The megaton rig continued to charge toward the road block with enough force to rival a stampeding herd of Tauros.
"He's not stopping!" yelled the tall grunt as he turned and bolted for the end of the tunnel.
The futility of the situation at hand finally dawned on the short grunt who also made a run for it. Both split off to either side as they ran out of the tunnel to clear the road. Team Rocket members must be brave in the line of duty but getting killed foolishly wasn't a good career move for those seeking to move up in the organization.
With the grunts out of the way Truck #2,013 had now accelerated back up to full speed. As Ken and Fennekin starred at the two cars ahead Ken noticed a little beam of sunlight shining into the tunnel and through the small gap between their bumpers. There was only maybe six inches between the cars. It was a certainty the truck wouldn't fit through that gap but Ken decided that would be where he'd aim and hope for the best.
"BRACE FOR IMPACT!" Ken yelled. "DUCK!"
Ken let go of the steering wheel and ducked into a crash position like you'd have aboard an airplane going down, holding his case tight against his chest. Fennekin huddled up tight in his chair trying to protect his case. What happened next was incredible.
KABOOM!
The speeding GS Transport truck plowed into the cars at full speed leading to a massive impact that sent broken glass and smashed metal flying. The sound of the wreck echoed through the entire tunnel. The "chrome horn" on the front of Ken's truck smashed and tore into the two cars with incredible force even if it was crushed and fell off the truck in the process. Both of the cars were smashed backward and badly crumpled in the impact like Ken thought they might. One caught against the side of the tunnel and rolled over on its roof as a result. The other twisted like a banana as the entire front end, engine included, was torn off the vehicle. The motor went sliding down the tunnel throwing off sparks as it did.
In the cab everything that wasn't bolted down was violently thrown forward as Ken and Fennekin held on for dear life. The cab jolted forward as the grill and headlights were both smashed to pieces. The steering wheel jolted violently, had Ken's hands been on it at the time he'd have been in a world of hurt. The driver's side door was torn open only to slam shut again but fail to latch, its frame having become bent so now it was just hanging open.
Truck #2,013 burst back into the sunlight outside the tunnel in a blast of smoke, debris, and noise. The grunts could only watch as a badly wounded truck kept going. Outside the tunnel were two "Road Closed" detour barricades, set up by the grunts as part of the road block to reroute any traffic that could distract from their efforts, but both were instantly smashed by the truck as continued down the road.
Ken and Fennekin popped back up as the driver hit the brakes and found they still worked. Quickly he checked the accelerator and the steering and found both still functioning, although the steering was far from perfect and acceleration was slow. That hit had seriously damaged the truck but remarkably they were through the road block and in the clear. If the truck could just hold together for a few more minutes, and that was a big if, they would make the delivery. Both cases were intact despite the hit.
"Whoa," Ken said. "You okay?"
"Fen," Fennekin replied with a smile. "Fennekin ne kin fen fen kin?"
"Ah, no," Ken replied. "I don't want to do that again."
The two grunts could only watch as the truck sped into the distance.
"So, do you think our insurance will cover this?" the tall grunt asked.
His partner could only roll his eyes at the remark.