Chapter 17 – Team Rocket's shocking new recruit VI

"Lucario…" Pant. "Wait up."

Lucario groaned as his trainer whining voice penetrated his zone of concertation. He came to halt in the middle of the forest and looked over his shoulder to see a red faced and sweaty Cameron staggering after him.

"Cameron," he said as the boy ran up beside him and leaned against a nearby tree, breathing heavily. "We are never going to find him if you can't keep up."

"I can't" pant, pant, pant… "Run as fast as you," Cameron companied between breaths. "Where's my water bottle."

Lucario rolled his eyes. "You know, I should be the one carrying you around in a Pokéball."

"Yeah. You wish." Cameron had extracted a silver flask from his bag and proceeded to take a long swig. "None of this would have happened, if we'd just waited for Hirosaki like I wanted to."

Lucario folded his arms and shook his head. "That Latios couldn't find his own…" He trailed off before saying, "I'm Hunter's dad. If anyone can find him I can. His aura is practically calling to me."

"Oh good. Is it far?"

"No, not far," Lucario sighed. "But you need to keep up. Now are you finished." He raised his eyebrows, eyeing Cameron's drink bottle.

Cameron held it out to him, but Lucario raised a paw and declined, so he restored it to his bag.

"Yeah, I'm done," he said with a sigh.

"Good, then let's go!"

[Pokémon]

"Wow…Check this out. Cameron…" Lucario turned his head expecting to see Cameron beside him. But instead found Cameron jogging up the forest path a little way behind.

Lucario groaned and shook his head. "I thought I told you to keep up."

"I thought I told you to slow down," Cameron panted as he caught up. "Why have you stopped."

"Look." Lucario pointed upwards.

Cameron craned his neck upwards and caught sight of the Meowth balloon struck in the branches, with the basket hanging from a branch. A smile crossed his lips. "So, you did manage to bring it down. Great shot Lucario. If this is here Hunter can't be too far. Let's go."

He turned and proceed to run up the path to Lucario's bemusement. "Wait, weren't you just exhausted a second ago. Do you even know where you're going…Hey, wait up!"

[Pokémon]

PETALBURG CITY

"Where people mingle with nature"

"Petalburg City," Cameron panted as the two reached the sign at the end of the forest. "They're here!"

"I think so," said Lucario, who had very quickly managed to take the lead again as they ran through the forest. "Hunter's aura feels strongest here than it has since he was taken. So, they can't be far. The question is where?"

It was at that moment that a loud scream rang out through the town. Cameron and Lucario looked up to see a young boy running across the grass, apparently in tears, bellowing at the top of his lungs, "Waahhhh. The gym leader took my Pokémon."

"I think we just found out," said Cameron as he turned back to Lucario. "Let's go."

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile…

"Charizard. See if you can see find Team Rocket from the air. They won't get far without their balloon," said Ash.

"Zarr..." Charizard gave a nod to his trainer's instructions before taking to the air.

Blade felt the whoosh of the air thrown up by the beating of his large wings wash over his still paralysed state. He felt it rustle his fur. He had always hated it when the cold winds had gotten into his fur, but was unable to make the instinctive motion of flattening it back down with his claws.

Of course, even if he could move his arms, he would still have to free them from the strong grip of Sylveon's feelers. The ribbon like – flesh protruding from her neck, that was certainly weird to Blade – were wrapped tightly around his shoulders, under his armpits and down his forearms, leaving him slumped against her right flank.

Whenever she walked, he was dragged behind., lying loosely on the ground. The strain of his lower body pulling at his shoulders was starting to hurt. Something compounded by the fact that he was unable to move. To shift himself into a more natural position.

"Come on, let's go," said Ash, signalling to the other Pokémon to move out.

"Wait, where are we going," Jimmy asked.

"Team Rocket were heading in that direction." Ash pointed in a north-easterly direction. "Our best bet is probably to follow."

"And Blade."

"Comes with us!"

Blade rolled his eyes and tutted. When would this nightmare end? The rest of the Pokémon ignored him.

They set out again. Blade winced, and gritted his teeth as his rump was dragged across the stones, roots and other protruding objects that littered the forest floor. He gritted his teeth. This was a humiliating as it was uncomfortable.

And it was about to get worse…Suddenly, and without any apparent reason, he felt a great weight press down on his stomach and chest, forcing the air out of his lungs. His rear and lower back were suddenly forced even hard into the forest floor and a twig stabbed at his back.

He let out an "Oouf," and a wince of pain as his eyes met a pair of fair chocolate eyes and a small yellow face. For whatever reasons, Pikachu had climbed on top of him, seemingly intent on riding him like some kind of Pokémon sled.

Blade let out an angry growl and bared his teeth. "Oi. Get off me." He snapped his teeth – it was the most threatening thing he could do immobilised.

Pikachu was unphased - He just sat on Blade's chest staring at the Sneasel intently. Something told Blade that Pikachu would be unphased even if Blade had been able to move. The mouse Pokémon seemed to radiate power…

It almost felt to Blade as if the electricity running though Pikachu's body was burning him. And then there were the clearly defined muscles in his chest, stomach, arms and legs visible beneath the short, yellow fur. Much more obvious than on Hikari…err, Ashachu.

"Off…" he tried to jerk but couldn't, and so just let out a beleaguered sigh. "What do you want?"

The sound of the commotion, and the weight of an extra Pokémon on her feelers, caused Sylveon to turn her head over her shoulder. She frowned at Pikachu for a moment, but said nothing, and quickly turned back to face the direction of travel.

"Pika." Pikachu coxed his head as if curious. Then he reached out with his paw and touched Blade's chin.

Blade shivered as his Pikachu ran his paw across his jawline. Pikachu's paws were warm and soft. Not unlike Hikari's…errr, Ashachu's. Still there was something weird about it. "Like, seriously, what."

"I want to know what's been going on between you and my kit," Pikachu said coolly.

"Your kit," Blade asked.

Pikachu nodded. "Mmmhmm. Ashachu. Though, you've been calling him Ashachu. Oh, and before you lie to me." The tone of Pikachu's voice changed on the word 'me.' Becoming cold, icy and menacing. It was almost hard to believe such a tone was coming from the squeaky mouse. His claw found its way to the end of Blade's chin, where Pikachu dug his claws into the Sneasel's flesh.

"Gah." Blade grunted, trying to supress a cry of pain.

"Don't! Because if I find out that you've hurt him. If you've even put one claw on the tip of his point ears. I'll end you. Understand."

Blade was in pain. His instincts were telling him that Pikachu almost certainly could do what he was threatening. But he wasn't going to let this rodent intimidate him. His eyes narrowed to slits and he snapped back, "No you won't. It's not in your nature. And I doubt your trainer over there would let you."

Pikachu smirked at him. "And what would you know about my nature."

"I know you're not a killer. I can tell. I know killers. I know Pokémon who would terrify the hell out of you. Who would take pleasure in cutting off your tail, or skinning you alive? Or leaving you in a bloodied heap on the forest floor. You can't scare me Pikachu. Not compared to what I've seen."

Pikachu's grin broadened. "That so."

"And I know your type," Blade continued. "Tame Pokémon." He put emphasis on the word tame. "Always got a human to provide for you. To tell you what to do. You lot have forgotten your instinct. You wouldn't be able to take me if ASSSH, weren't here would you!"

"Doesn't matter, because Ash is here," replied Pikachu. "And I suspect you know very little about us tame Pokémon, as you put it." He dug his claw into Blade's chin again, making him visibly wince. "You see I've been trained. I know special moves and special ways to use my attacks and my body that would never occur to you. A wild Pokémon. And I've got lots of experience. Probably more than you."

"I don't think so."

"It doesn't matter what you think. Because, right now, I don't need to fight you. Now tell me. What's been going on between you and my kit." As he spoke that last sentence, Pikachu let off a spark. Not enough to cause Blade pain, but enough to know he was there.

Blade gritted his teeth. He always hated to admit it to himself that he had lost, but he had quickly realised that Pikachu was probably a lot stronger than him and not a Pokémon he should mess with. It was better to just talk. And really, what did he have to hide anyway.

Plus, there was something he needed to know. "Alright I'll tell you. But first, I want to know. What happened to Raiee."

Pikachu coxed his head and frowned. "Who's Raiee?"

"You don't know?"

Pikachu shook his head. "Uh-uh."

Blade sighed. He hadn't really wanted to admit it to himself – In some ways he had suspected it ever since they'd escaped the Centurion – but he had tried to deny it. Ashachu had lied to him. He wasn't Hikari at all. He wasn't Raiee's son. He wasn't the egg from the P2 Laboratory.

"Raiee was a female Pikachu I used to really care about. A long time ago. She had a kit called Hikari."

Pikachu frowned. "And Ashachu told you he was Hikari."

"Not exactly," said Blade. "He, umm, when I first encountered you and your humans in Po Town, I heard you talking about Hikari. And I guess I kind of thought…"

Pikachu tutted and rolled his eyes. "You mean you mistook Ashachu for Hikari, and he never corrected you? Is that what happened."

Flashback

"Good." Blade took his foot off Ashachu's chest, to his relief. Then to Ashachu's surprise, he grabbed him from under the arms and lifted him back onto his feet. "I'm sorry I had to do that do you Hikari. Well, no I'm not. You did attack me. But I never wanted to have to hurt Raiee's son."

"I'm…" Ashachu started to correct him but stopped himself. This case of mistaken identity might be why he was still alive. "Err…"

"The name's Blade." The Sneasel held out his paw. "It's great to finally meet you Hikari."

"Umm…And you." Ashachu took his paw, searching around for something to say. Anything to keep the charade up until he could either run or attack. "How do you know?"

"Who you are. How could I not know? You're Raiee's son," Blade said with a smile. "The last time I saw you, you were still a Pichu."

"My mom…"

End Flashback

Blade sighed, closed his eyes and gave a single nod of his head. "Yes."

"Raiee meant, still means, a great deal to me," Blade explained, sadly. "I don't want to go into the details but, when I first met Hikari. Well, Ashachu I suppose now. It was like there was a piece of her still in this world. Even if it was only a little. And I wanted to get to know her son. Find out the sort of mon he was. I gave him back Raiee's thunderstone."

Pikachu remembered the time Ashachu and Sniveon had told them about their meeting with Blade. He remembered Sniveon handing them over the thunderstone…

Flashback

"It's definitely a genuine Thunderstone," said Jimmy, holding the marble up to the light and examining it.

"So, let me get this straight," said Cameron. "The Sneasel thought Ashachu was Hikari and gave him that. Because it was Hikari's moms."

Ash nodded. "Yeah. I know it sounds crazy, but that's what they said."

Jimmy lowered the stone. "Ninetails sometimes hoard stones for their young. But I've never heard of Pikachu doing it." He tossed the stone back to Ash, who caught it. "Have you told Hikari?"

"Not yet. I didn't think it was a good idea to until we knew more. I mean it would be traumatic wouldn't it?"

"I think you probably should tell him," said Jimmy. "It's better he hear it from you than running into this Sneasel…."

End Flashback

"I'd been watching your group earlier in the day. I'd noticed that little rivalry between Ashachu and Geyser," said Blade. "I offered to help him train."

Flashback

"Right, this is how it works," said Blade. "Listen up kid cause I'm only saying this once. I blindly attack you. You try to avoid my attacks and simultaneously try to knock me out. Got it?"

"Errr…Got it," Ashachu replied sounding a little uncertain.

Blade noticed the uncertainty, his eyes narrowing. "You'd better get it cause I ain't going easy on you Hikari."

Ashachu readied himself for battled, dropping to his all fours, keeping his legs apart to lower his centre of gravity and raising his tail.

Bladed nodded. "That's more like it. Now remember don't think too much. Got it."

"Got it."

"Okay. Three…Two…"

End Flashback

"So that's why he kept sneaking off to meet you," said Pikachu. "You were helping him train."

"At first," Blade replied. "One thing lead to another and…Then we just grew closer."

"When did it become romantic," Pikachu asked.

"When we were in the Aether Foundation, after being rescued from the Centurion. I don't know…I guess I'd always felt that way. But it was like there was something in the air then. It was your son that initiated it. He wanted it…."

Flashback

"You want to know a secret," Blade whispered seductively into Ashachu's ear. "I like your body too!" He gave the tip of his ear a lick.

And that was when Ashachu exploded…

He didn't know why he was doing it. He wasn't entirely sure he was aware he was doing it, almost as if some invisible force had taken control of his body…

Ashachu snapped around and threw himself on Blade. His paws gripped the Sneasel's shoulders and pressed his maw to Blade's. The much taller Pokémon toppled to the ground…

His senses returned to him half a second later. He broke the kiss and was almost surprised to find himself standing on Blade's chest, while the Sneasel lay in the grass.

"Oh…Ah…"

End Flashback

"I guess I wanted it too…Anyway, the Riolu caught us, and was very upset by it. Like really upset. I don't know why. I wasn't thinking straight. I mocked him for it. And he ran off in tears."

'So that's what caused the trouble between Ashachu and Hunter,' Pikachu thought to himself. 'Poor Ashachu. If only he had talked to us about this. I could have helped.'

"Ashachu was angry at me at first," Blade continued. "But the next time we saw each other, we made up. Ashachu really did have feelings for me. To be honest I regret most of it. I didn't realize how much your kit loved that damn blue furball. If I had, I'd never have tried to come between them."

"I see," said Pikachu. "Now tell me about this Darkrai. Shadow."

"Ah!" said Blade. "Well, you see. Shadow is my lover…Well my main lover," he added when Pikachu raised an eyebrow. "I'm not into monogamy okay. That exclusive shit is for humans."

"I don't care about your sex life," said Pikachu. "I want to know who this Darkrai is…"

[Pokémon]

Ashachu tried not to look at or think about the Pokémon in the cage or listen to them rattling the bars. They were the Pokémon Team Rocket had stolen from the trainer who had just come to challenge the gym and the Pokémon that Hunter had knocked out… In one hit.

Given the boys age and the weakness of the Pokémon, Ashachu would have guessed the boy was young. Probably only just beginning his journey. He took a glance at the cage, catching a brief sight of the Mudkip and Zigzagoon before forcing himself to look away.

For the first time he started to feel uneasy about what he was doing…This has been about getting back at Ash for not listening to him and Geyser stealing his boyfriend. He had never wanted innocent Pokémon to get caught up in it. Pokémon, he didn't know.

He repeated his rationale to himself. 'This is Team Rocket…These dweebs can't battle to save their lives…Those two will be freed eventually. Hunter too!'

"Hehehe…Great job Riolu," Jessie sang giving Hunter a rub on the head.

Hunter didn't respond but instead stood in the middle of the battlefield, still as a Darmanitan in Zen form.

"You're such a strong Pokémon…Teehee…"

"With you at our command, we'll soon has a huge pile of primo Pokémon ta give to da boss," cheered Meowth.

James groaned and rolled his eyes. "Guys you do realize all we've managed to steal so far are starter Pokémon from a little kid. I've seen stronger eggs than these two."

"Doesn't matter," Jessie snapped in reply. "They'll be stronger trainer's along sooner or later."

"Who are going to beat up Hunter and set the rest of them free. I'm not sure this was such a good idea."

Jessie let out an exasperated sigh. "Then we'll just use Ashachu as a backup. And we don't need to be here for long. Just until the twerp shows up!"

KABOOM!

As if on que, the doors to the gym burst open…blown off their hinges by a powerful attack. Ashachu instinctively covered his eyes and face with his paws as a wave of dust and glass shot through the room.

"See, here he is…Speak of Giratina," said Jessie gleefully. She then added, "Oh, but it's just the one twerp."

Ashachu lowered his paws and looked up. It was almost like a scene from a film. Whatever attack had been used had blown most of the front doors of the gym and the doors to the battlefield room off leaving a large hole through which bright sunlight was streaming in.

Because of the sunlight it was almost hard to make out the human and Pokémon who made their way into the gym and across the battlefield. They only came into focus as they drew closer. Cameron and Lucario…

Ashachu felt the fur on his back stand on end as he laid eyes on Lucario. The aura Pokémon, normally kind and friendly, looked practically demonic. Fur brisling, eyes gleaming, crouched in a battle-ready position, his teeth bared and a small string of saliva hanging off them.

He took a step backwards almost instinctively.

"Yeah, I thought I'd find you here," Cameron snapped angrily. "Here's the deal. Let Hunter go, along with those other two Pokémon you've taken, and we'll let you and Ashachu go free. Nobody has to get hurt."

Jessie, James and Meowth let out a chuckle…Ashachu had no idea how they were able to laugh the situation off…and moved into position to deliver the motto.

"Prepare for trouble, you know the drill."

"And make it double…"

"Oh, am I so sick of that stupid, stupid routine you guys do," Cameron bellowed at them before the trio could get into it. "Every time. I mean don't you have new material."

"Now here's the deal," growled Lucario, and Ashachu felt a shiver as he spoke. Never had he heard the Pokémon growl quite like that. "I'm going to count to three. And you had better tell me where Hunter is before I reach zero or I'm going Meowth here a new tailhole. ONE…"

Another chorus of laughter.

"Ahahaha. Did you hear that James? He misses his pup," mocked Jessie.

"Well then," said James, equally as mocking. "We'd best reunite them."

"Tah dah!" Meowth cried out as Jessie and James moved aside to reveal Hunter standing behind them, still as a statute and his eyes out of focus.

"Hunter," Cameron shouted, all traces of anger in his voice.

"Lu-Car," barked Lucario.

"Ya see, young Hunter 'ere is now a fully-fledged member of Team Rocket," Meowth declared proudly. "Ain't dat right Hunter!"

"I am in your power, boss me around!" It was the first time Ashachu had heard Hunter speak since he had been begging Ashachu to release him early. Where his voice had been high and filled with emotion then, now it was low, monotonal and empty.

Lucario snarled and Cameron shouted in horror, "What on earth have you freaks done to him."

"He obeys us now," said James. "Alright Hunter, use close combat!"

"But Hunter doesn't know that move," Cameron cried as Hunter shot forward. "Lucario!"

The battle was short lived. In fact, it was non-existent. As Hunter charged forward, Lucario knelt down opened his arms and grabbed him, hugging him tightly against his body.

"Hunter!" Lucario's voice was suddenly soft, calm and kind once more. "They've done something to you. You have to fight it. Listen to the sound of my voice and open your heart."

"Rio." Hunter snapped. In Lucario's grip he couldn't move much, but he was able to use his paws to reign blows on Lucario's stomach, thighs and face, thought if they hurt or did damage the bigger Pokémon didn't show it.

"Hunter, listen to me. This isn't you. It's me. I'm here, I've got you and I'll protect you. You just have to open your heart."

"Lu…" And just like that Hunter stopped thrashing and fell limp. Then he raised his head and looked curiously into Lucario's face as if seeing him for the first time. "D-Dad!"

"Oh Hunter. Thank Arceus you're okay." Lucario pulled Hunter closer to him and licked the top of his head, from the tip of his nose to the top of his forehead.

Hunter accepted the embrace, putting his arms around Lucario's neck in turn and burying his face his neck.

Cameron let out a sigh of relief before glaring at Team Rocket. "You really thought that was going to work. Turning Hunter against us!"

Jessie, James and Meowth exchanged looks.

"Yeah, why did we think that would work," asked Jessie.

"Don't ask me," James replied. "It was Meowth's idea. Blame him!"

Jessie scowled at the scratch cat, but before she could rouse on him, Meowth said quickly, "Let's just go to plan B. Hey twerpachoo. Get over 'ere."

"Huh." Before Ashachu had processed what had happened, someone had grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and was pushing him onto the battlefield. He soon found himself face to face with Hunter and Lucario.

In a flash Lucario had released Hunter and was back to being terrifying. Bent over on all four paws, like a sprinter ready to start a race, and baring those teeth. There was almost something dark about him, like his fur had changed tone. All warmth was gone from his red eyes, replaced by sheer Pokémon instinct and terror.

In his short little life Ashachu had come close to death many times…Hunted by Team Flare, strapped to the ultimate weapon, attacked by ultra-beasts, chased down by a psychotic Darkrai, launched into deep space and losing his tail.

And now he was staring at it once again…Lucario's red eyes were telling him…He was going to die. How cruel the irony that, after everything, his death should come at the paws of a friend.

He prepared himself…