Chapter 79: Derailed
With the Valley of the Iron Fist growing closer and closer with each step Ash and Nikki continued on their way, with each one thinking about their next trial. Nikki was busy thinking about Contest routines while Ash was coming up with battle strategies for his upcoming Area Boss battle.
"You know, I really think we'll be ready for our next challenges," Nikki stated.
"I agree. With our Pokémon there's no stopping us," Ash said. As they continued on they saw a large gathering of people up ahead.
"What's going on up there?" Nikki wondered. With their curiosity piqued they made their way to the group of people. As they made their way through the crowd they started to see quite a few police officers standing about, each one with a concerned look on their face.
"I don't like this," Ash spoke. Once they made their way to the front of the crowd they saw Officer Jenny talking to one of the other officers. The look of concern on her face was enough to tell the two of them that this was something serious.
"Okay. Keep me posted," Officer Jenny told the other officer. He saluted and walked away, leaving her alone to her thoughts.
"How are we going to solve this?" she wondered. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn't even see Ash and Nikki approach her.
"What's going on?" Ash asked, catching her attention.
"We are dealing with a delicate situation here," she told them. "Please move along."
"Wait a minute. We may be able to help you," Nikki said.
"She's right," Ash agreed. "If we can we'd like to." Officer Jenny looked at them and considered her options. She didn't really want to put anyone in danger if she didn't have to, but at the same time she was open to accepting any help she could get.
"Well… I could use some more help," she thought.
"Help with what?" Ash questioned. Officer Jenny reached in her back pocket and took out a note.
"We received this note two days ago. It details a plot to hijack a train headed towards a Gracidea flower garden," she reported. Ash took it as he and Nikki both read what it said.
At approximately 3:00 two days from now a train en route to a Gracidea flower garden will be hijacked. If you wish to guarantee the safety of the train's passengers you will grant us use of it to travel to said garden. Failure to do so will put their lives at risk. You have until sundown to make your decision.
"Oh no," Nikki gasped.
"At first we thought this was just someone's idea of a prank, but just a few minutes ago we received reports of a train being hijacked," Officer Jenny said. "We believe it was the same person or persons who sent the letter."
"Do you have any idea on who's behind this?" Ash asked.
"I have a theory, but right now my concern is getting to that train and making sure the passengers are alright," Officer Jenny stated.
"Well we'd still like to help," Nikki said.
"Yeah," Ash agreed. Officer Jenny still wasn't sure about putting them in unnecessary danger, but one look at their faces told her they were determined to help.
"Alright, you can help," she said. "Just make sure to follow my lead." Ash and Nikki nodded as they followed her to her police cruiser. They all got in and left the scene on their way to the hijacked train, each one hoping they weren't too late.
As Officer Jenny continued to drive towards the hijacked train she filled Ash and Nikki in on what she knew of the situation.
"We'll be arriving at the scene of the hijacking soon," she said.
"Okay," Nikki replied.
"You said you had a theory about who was behind this," Ash said. "Who do you think it is?"
"If I had to put money on it I'd say this was perpetrated by Team Cerberus," Officer Jenny declared. As soon as she said that name Ash and Nikki frowned.
"Of course it would be them. This is right up their alley," Ash spat.
"I take it you've had dealings with them," Officer Jenny assumed.
"We've dealt with them in the past," Nikki said.
"In that case accepting your help may have been the right thing to do," Officer Jenny stated. They drove on for a bit more before Officer Jenny stopped the car.
"We're close to where the train is," she announced. "We'll get out here, survey the situation and come up with a plan." Ash and Nikki nodded to let her know they understood before exiting the car. Taking a look up at the sky they saw that they thankfully had plenty of time left before sundown.
"Okay, let's see what things look like," Officer Jenny instructed. She began walking in the direction of the train, Ash and Nikki close behind her. Pretty soon the train came into view. Officer Jenny held her hand out to stop Ash and Nikki before motioning for them to follow her over to a large boulder off to the side. They hide behind it and peeked out. The train had been stopped by a helicopter on the tracks. The helicopter had a crimson "C" emblazoned on the side.
"Looks like you were right about Team Cerberus being behind this," Nikki commented. They continued to look on as numerous Team Cerberus members walked about outside.
"That's quite a few members," Nikki said. "Do you think we could take them all?"
"We may need to call in backup," Officer Jenny replied. As they kept watching them appeared to be reporting to someone standing next to the engine. It only took Ash one look to make his blood boil.
"Ares," he seethed.
"You know him?" Officer Jenny questioned.
"Unfortunately," Ash answered. "He's usually the one we have to deal with whenever we run into them."
"Is he strong?" Officer Jenny asked.
"He is, but we've beaten him in the past," Ash told her. Taking this information in Officer Jenny began formulating a plan for dealing with the situation.
"Okay, let me call in some backup. When they get here we'll confront them," she explained.
"Are you sure they'll get here in time?" Nikki wondered.
"They will," Officer Jenny confirmed. She took out her radio and called in her backup. While she was doing this Ash and Nikki continued to look on as Team Cerberus grunts walked about the area around the train.
"I hope the people inside are alright," Nikki said.
"We have to believe they are," Ash told her. Seconds later Officer Jenny put her radio away.
"Okay, the others will be here in a few minutes," she reported. "We just have to sit tight until they arrive." They continued to hide behind the boulder and watch. Things seemed to be going smoothly until Ares stepped away from the engine, seemingly heading in their direction.
"You don't think he spotted us, do you?" Nikki wondered.
"I don't see how," Officer Jenny replied. They kept watching as he stopped a good ways away from the boulder, a sinister smirk on his face.
"I know you're there, so you may as well come out!" he shouted. The three of them were shocked by his announcement and looked back and forth amongst themselves.
"There's no way he knows we're here. It has to be a bluff," Nikki whispered. That was when they saw him point to the sky. They looked up and were shocked to see a Fearow flying overhead. Officer Jenny frowned at this.
"He must have had that Pokémon flying overhead to keep watch for any surprise attacks," she said.
"What do we do now?" Ash asked.
"Well, since he knows we're here there's no use hiding now," Officer Jenny answered with a sigh. With their cover blown they stepped out from behind the boulder and confronted Ares. As soon as he saw Ash and Nikki he frowned, but quickly regained his composure as he addressed Officer Jenny.
"Awfully bold of you to come face us with nothing but children as backup," he spoke as his Fearow landed back by his side.
"We were more than a match for you in our past encounters," Ash stated.
"That may be true, but I assure you this time will be different," Ares declared. He snapped his fingers, calling the other members of Team Cerberus to his side. Then, they each called out a Pokémon. Numerous Golbat and Grimer soon stood opposed to them, each one with a sinister grin on their face.
"What say you now?" Ares questioned. Officer Jenny looked at the opposition, worry written all over her face. She was skeptical about facing them, but Ash and Nikki appeared ready to engage them.
"Officer Jenny, how much longer until your backup arrives?" Ash asked.
"They should be here any minute now," she replied.
"Okay, so all we have to do is hold them off until then," Ash assumed.
"Hold on. You're not thinking about battling them all, are you? We're outnumbered," Officer Jenny stated.
"At this point I don't think we have much of a choice," Nikki told her. Officer Jenny looked at the Team Cerberus members and their Pokémon, seeing their eagerness to battle. It was at this point she realized that Ash and Nikki were right. They would have to battle.
"Well, what's your response?" Ares asked.
"Our response is we're taking you down, and then I'm taking you in," Officer Jenny declared.
"Defiant until then end, I see," Ares commented. "Very well. This will be your final stand! Get them!" On his command the other Team Cerberus members ordered their Pokémon to attack.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash called. His Mouse Pokémon leapt from his shoulder and unleashed a massive Thunderbolt, taking out a good number of the attacking Pokémon. Still, there were quite a few Pokémon left to deal with. Thankfully though Officer Jenny and Nikki were ready for them.
"Go, Growlithe!" Officer Jenny shouted, calling on her partner Pokémon.
"Ninetails, Gallade, we need your help!" Nikki called, sending out two of her Pokémon. Even with the arrival of three more Pokémon they were still outnumbered. However, Nikki had a game plan in mind.
"Officer Jenny, follow my lead," Nikki said. She nodded and waited for Nikki to make her move.
"Ninetails, use Flamethrower!" Nikki called.
"Growlithe, you use Flamethrower as well," Officer Jenny added. Both Fire types spewed forth massive Flamethrower attacks.
"Alright, Gallade, take control of the flames with Psychic!" Nikki instructed. The Blade Pokémon's eyes glowed blue as he took control of the two Flamethrower attacks. He made the attacks swirl around the attacking Team Cerberus Pokémon, eventually turning the two Fire attacks into a massive fire tornado that engulfed the attacking Pokémon. Once the flames died down it revealed the defeated Team Cerberus Pokémon.
"Not bad, Nikki," Officer Jenny praised. With their first wave of Pokémon defeated the Team Cerberus members called out a second wave, this one consisting of Mightyena and Houndoom.
"Look alive, we're not done yet!" Officer Jenny said. While the two of them battled the Team Cerberus members Ash and Ares were glaring at each other.
"You're not going to get away with this," Ash declared.
"You may have stopped me in the past, but you won't stop me this time," Ares argued. With his Fearow already out and ready for battle he tossed a single Poké Ball, calling out his Jolteon. Seeing this Ash readied two Poké Balls of his own.
"Aron, Scizor, I choose you!" he shouted. As Ash's Pokémon appeared Ares smiled wickedly.
"I shall take great pleasure in breaking your Pokémon," he sneered. "Now Fearow, attack with Drill Peck!" As Fearow closed in with his Drill Peck Ash had a counter ready for him.
"Aron, jump in the way and use Iron Defense!" he shouted. The Iron Armor Pokémon did as instructed and jumped in the path of the incoming Fearow, increasing his Defense with Iron Defense. Ash was sure this would frustrate Ares, but the Team Cerberus field agent simply smiled.
"You played right into my hands, boy," he said. "Fearow, abort your attack! Jolteon, hit him with Thunderbolt!" At the last second Fearow pulled up, leaving Aron wide-open for a blast from Jolteon's Thunderbolt. The powerful Electric fattack struck home and blasted Aron back.
"Now use Double Kick while he's down!" Ares ordered. Ash knew he had to act fast.
"Scizor, intercept him with Bullet Punch!" he shouted. Right when Jolteon went into his attack Scizor sprung into action, striking the Lightning Pokémon before he could execute his attack on Aron.
"(Thanks for the assist,)" Aron said.
"(Don't mention it,)" Scizor replied. "(Now, what say we put these guys down for good.)" Aron nodded as the two of them awaited Ash's next command.
"Alright Aron, Iron Head! Scizor, use Night Slash!" Ash called. With their instructions clear the two Pokémon charged forward.
"You won't defeat me here, boy!" Ares roared. "Steel Wing!" His Fearow once again took flight, intercepting Scizor and Aron with his powerful Steel Wing. Both of Ash Pokémon were sent sliding back, but because of Aron's Rock typing he took considerably more damage from the attack.
"(You okay there?)" Scizor asked, concerned about his teammate's well-being.
"(Y-Yeah… I'm good,)" Aron replied as he shook off the previous attack. Unfortunately for them their lack of focus left them vulnerable for a follow-up attack.
"Drill Peck that Scizor!" Ares commanded. Before the Pincer Pokémon could react he was on the receiving end of a strong Drill Peck. The attack knocked him down right next to Aron.
"Now, give them a taste of your Thunderbolt, Jolteon!" Ares ordered. The Lightning Pokémon, a wicked smile on his face, unleashed his Thunderbolt on the two downed Pokémon. Their cries of pain filled Ash with a sense of despair. When the attack was done both Scizor and Aron were reeling.
"What did I tell you?! You won't win!" Ares declared. Despite the odds not looking to be in his favor Ash refused to give in.
"We're not done yet, Ares! My Pokémon are stronger than you think, and we can still win this!" he announced. Ash's words seemed to stir something in Scizor and Aron, for as soon as he was done speaking they got back to their feet, looks of determinatio0n in their eyes.
"(He's right. There's no way we're going to let you win here,)" Scizor spoke.
"(Yeah. We will defeat you,)" Aron added. Despite their determination Ares was confident that he was in control of the battle.
"Well then, guess I'll have to beat you into submission," he assumed. His Fearow and Jolteon stood ready to go on the attack once again.
"Alright, guys, let's do this!" Ash shouted. Both Scizor and Aron stood ready to continue battling, but before anyone could do anything Aron began to glow white.
"A-Aron!" Ash stuttered. Everyone looked on as Aron grew bigger in size. When the glow died down instead of an Aron standing beside Scizor there was a new Pokémon.
"Aron you… you evolved into Lairon!" Ash cheered.
"An unexpected development, but one that won't matter in the end!" Ares determined. "Fearow, Steel Wing!" His Beak Pokémon charged forward, looking to strike home with another Steel Wing.
"Lairon, intercept with Iron Head!' Ash called. With Fearow closing in the newly-evolved Lairon met him with his Iron Head. Unfortunately for Fearow with the new evolution came new strength which Lairon used to overpower the Beak Pokémon and send him crashing to the ground.
"Jolteon, use your Double Kick!" Ares demanded.
"Scizor, use X-Scissor!" Ash shouted. Before Jolteon could launch into his attack Scizor hit him with his X-Scissor, knocking him down right next to Fearow.
"Now Lairon, use Rock Slide!" Ash called. With both Pokémon down Lairon finished the battle by burying them under a Rock Slide, the attack leaving both Pokémon unable to battle any further. Ares recalled his defeated Pokémon, glaring at Ash the entire time.
"Curse you, boy," he seethed. As he glared at ash Nikki and Officer Jenny soon appeared at his side.
"Are you okay, Ash?" Nikki asked.
"Yeah. How about you two?" Ash wondered.
"We just finished taking acre of the others," Officer Jenny reported. Then, the sound of police sirens could be heard growing closer.
"Sounds like your backup is almost here," Nikki commented. Realizing what this meant Ares gave out one final order.
"All troops, back to the helicopter!" he shouted. With his order given Ares and the other Team Cerberus members began fleeing back towards the helicopter. Ash wanted to chase after him, but Officer Jenny stopped him.
"Let him go," she said. "We need to go check on the train passengers." Even though Ash hated letting Ares and Team Cerberus escape he knew Officer Jenny was right. Taking some time to send one last glare at the escaping helicopter Ash, Nikki and Officer Jenny headed towards the train.
Minutes later the scene at the train was much different than it had been earlier. Where Team Cerberus members once stood now stood police officers checking on the well-being of the train passengers and taking witness accounts of what happened. While this was going on Officer Jenny stood off to the side with Ash and Nikki.
"I want to thank you for your help," she said. "You really did make a difference."
"We're glad we could help," Ash replied.
"And it's not like we didn't benefit from it," Nikki commented, motioning towards Ash's Lairon. The Pokémon smiled, satisfied in the knowledge that he helped.
"Yeah, Scizor and Lairon really held their own today," Ash said. Lairon continued to smile while Scizor appeared as though he had something on his mind, something tht didn't go unnoticed by Ash.
"Scizor, what's wrong?" he asked. The Pincer Pokémon looked at him and let out a long sigh.
"(Ash… I just want to apologize,)" he said. This took the Kanto native by surprise.
"Apologize? For what?" he inquired.
"(For the way I've been acting,)" Scizor answered. "(I know when you first captured me I wasn't the easiest Pokémon to get along with, and when I evolved I only got worse. I guess I wanted to prove that I didn't need you, or anyone for that matter. But now, I realize that you only want what's best for us, for all of us.)"
"Scizor…"
"(I guess what I'm saying is that you won't have to worry about me acting out anymore. I'm a team player from here on out.)" Scizor then held out his claw for what looked like a fist bump. Realizing this Ash smiled and returned the gesture.
"Glad to have you on board, Scizor," he said. Officer Jenny and Nikki smiled as they watched the interaction between trainer and Pokémon.
Back at Team Cerberus headquarters Ares walked down a lone hallway, thinking about his most recent failed mission. He thought he had everything under control, but then he had to show up and ruin everything. He punched the wall out of frustration.
"I swear if it's the last thing I do I'll see him pay for this," he said through clenched teeth. "Mark my words, boy, you'll…"
"Ares, sir." Ares spun around to see a Team Cerberus member standing behind him. With everything that had just occurred he wasn't in the mood to be bothered.
"What do you want?!" he demanded.
"The Boss wants to see you." Those six words made his blood run cold. If there was one person in the entirety of Team Cerberus he feared it was the Boss. As much as he didn't want to face them he knew the consequences for making the Boss wait. Reluctantly he made his way to their office. Taking some time to steel his nerves he entered. The room was dimly lit, with only a single lamp placed on the Boss's desk providing light. Behind the desk sat a large chair that was facing away from Ares.
"You… wanted to see me?" Ares spoke.
"I did," a feminine voice replied. "You failed me once again."
"Y-Yes," Ares said.
"This is becoming a habit for you, and one I grow tired of."
"But Boss, it wasn't my fault," Ares said. "There's this trainer that…"
"Enough!" the Boss yelled, causing Ares to visibly flinch.
"I don't want to hear excuses! I want results!" she demanded. "Now either you get out there and produce results or I'll find someone who will! Do I make myself clear?!"
"Y-Yes, Boss," Ares replied.
"Now, leave me." As quickly as he could Ares left the room, leaving the Boss alone. As soon as Ares was gone the chair spun around, revealing a woman with short blonde hair sitting in it.
"To think Ares would fail me so many times," she spoke. "I may have to step in and handle things myself." She then took out a single Poké Ball and tossed it, calling out the Pokémon contained inside.
"(You have need of me, my mistress?)" the Pokémon inquired.
"Ares has failed once again. I may need to get involved next time, and for that I'll need you ready," she replied.
"(I'll be ready, mistress.)" the Pokémon responded. The Boss smiled as she recalled her Pokémon back to his Poké Ball.
"Soon, the world will fear the name of Team Cerberus… and Calypso…"
Back at the train the other officers had concluded their investigation and were heading back to the station to file their reports. Meanwhile Officer Jenny was speaking with Ash and Nikki.
"So, now that his whole mess is done with where are you two heading?" she asked.
"Well, we were on our way to the Valley of the Iron Fist," Ash told her.
"Well, I can't take you all the way there but I can take you to a town that's close by," she offered.
"That would be great, not having to walk all that way," Nikki said.
"What's the town called?" Ash inquired.
"Wingate Town," she said. "If I'm not mistaken they should be hosting a Pokémon Contest there pretty soon." Hearing this got Nikki extremely excited.
"Alright! Time for me to earn my next ribbon," she shouted.
"Yeah it is," Ash agreed. With their next destination set Ash and Nikki followed Officer Jenny back to her car so she could transport them to Wingate Town for Nikki's next Pokémon Contest.
Ash and Nikki have once again thwarted one of Team Cerberus' evil schemes, but now it appears as though their leader is contemplating getting her hands dirty. Just how strong of a trainer is Calypso, the leader of Team Cerberus? What Pokémon does she have at her disposal? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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