Chapter 42 – Slowing down
Crown Tundra, Galar Region….
The Crown Tundra station rarely saw a train these days. Hardly surprising, given that the station was in the middle of nowhere, in a place called the Slippery Slope. Slippery Slope was the start of the Crown Tundra, the mountain range in the very south of Galar.
This part of the country was very cold and inhospitable. It was mostly the domain of Ice Types, with only sparse human settlements like Freezington, which had a population of 9. To the very south of the mountains lay the lush fields and forest that surrounded Ballimere Lake.
There had once been plans to develop this part of the region. The soil near the lake was perfect for growing crops and the ground also seemed to contain oil. A ten-year project, supported heavily caproate interests, had seen the government drive the railway through the mountains.
Sadly, for the developers, few Galarians had been willing to brave the harsh environment and move into the region, and the railway expansion had faced, accidents, disasters, and other setbacks. Then the real nail in the coffin had come – the declaration of a national park around Ballimere Lake.
The major win for Pokémon and conservation groups, and loss for corporations, had seen railway fall into disuse only immediate after it had opened. Crown Tundra Station, intended to be the beginning of a new settlement, was now little more than a brick building and a platform.
All of this served to make the Crown Tundra Station, and the Crown Tundra line, useful to Team Rocket purposes….
There were three people and one Pokémon waiting on the platform for the Shadowpiercer to arrive. Each of the humans were dressed in thick coats, with hoods and scarfs obscuring their features and making it difficult to tell anything about them.
The Pokémon was humanoid, by wearing some type of mechanical suit of armour with a helmet over its head. Whatever it looked like beneath it was a mystery.
"So, Butch and Cassidy successfully caught Shadow the Darkrai," said one of the humans. Even in the arctic gear it was clear that he was tall and quite buff. He had a deed male voice.
"Quite the impressive feat," replied one of his fellows, a woman, much shorter than the others but from her tone she was clearly in charge. "We really must offer them a pay rise."
"Are the stories about it true," said the man. "That it's a brutal killer."
"Almost certainly. You saw the Dragonite corpse with your own eyes."
The man grimaced behind his scarf. "Was it really a good idea for the boss to send Team Rocket's number two to confront it."
The woman smirked and replied with a laugh, "Oh, Namba assures me it is quite harmless now. Namba assures me that the Shadowpiercer's containment system is second to none. It should prevent it from escaping, and in any case, we can control it using the Gigaremo unit. Besides Gozu, worst comes to the worst, I'm sure your Aggron can handle it."
"Emmm…Of course."
"Do I detect a note of worry Gozu. You fear that Aggron will suffer the same fate as Dragonite or Gyarados if it faces Shadow, do you not?"
The man, Gozu apparently, made no reply to this statement.
"As has been made clear before. Bonding and friendship with Pokémon are a waste of emotions. They exist to serve us. By all means allow them to think you are they're friend to improve their strength and loyalty, but do not form an attachment. It is unhealthy."
"Yes ma'am."
[Pokémon]
Meanwhile, aboard the train – Somewhere else in the Galar region….
"Electabuzz, I choose…"
"Zarddd!"
Namba took out a Pokéball, but before he could throw it, Charizard belched fire at him. The flames engulfed him, leaving him ashen faced with his moustache singed.
"Ahh." He coughed, spitting out a mouthful of ash and cinders.
Charizard grabbed Ashachu, leapt off the bed and shot out the door, knocking poor Dr. Namba flat on his back as he went. He thundered up the corridor, the floor shaking from his heavy footsteps.
The fire lizard had to keep is head bowed to keep it away from the ceiling and his wings brushed against the sides. Ashachu thought it was good job the corridor was empty and there were no pictures or ornaments on the walls, or they would have made quite a mess.
"Arceus, what do we do now!" gasped Ashachu.
"We've got to get out of here," Charizard shouted. "We find Ash and Pikachu, and then we fly for it. We can't let…." His eyes flicked to his abdomen. "…I've got to protect my hatchling."
Charizard's voice shook as he spoke. Ordinarily the fire lizard spoke with strength and confidence. Now, he definitely sounded worried.
"Do you know where we're going."
"There's only one direction. We just keep going down the train until we find Ash…."
Crash
Crash
CRASH!
Charizard didn't either bother pressing the buttons to open the doors between the carriages or couldn't slowdown in time to do so. Instead, he crashed head long straight through, his strong head serving as a battering ram.
Ashachu clung tightly to his back, pressing his face into his scales to avoid the debris, and falling glass. His boyfriend's wings thankfully acted as a shield, keeping most of it away from the mouse.
It was only just dawning on Ashachu how long Team Rocket's train was. They had been running for at least ten minutes, crashing through carriage after carriage, for the most part, not meeting anybody else. They only passed one Sycther in dinning car.
'Why on earth do Team Rocket need such a large machine, with nobody aboard,' Ashachu thought to himself.
They were about…neither Ashachu nor Charizard had any idea how far down the train they had come…When Ashachu sensed something. He nudged Charizard with his foot and said, "Wait stop."
Charizard didn't want to stop. Unfortunately, his large clumsy foot caught the edge of a table, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Zarrd."
He landed on his stomach with a hard thud. Ashachu was thrown off his back, sliding up his neck and over his head.
"Ouch," Charizard groaned pushing himself back up. He noticed Ashachu sprawled on the carpet in front of his nose. "Sorry about that."
"Wasn't your fault," Ashachu replied, though it kind of had been.
"You okay!"
"Yeah…Just." Ashachu looked around. It looked as if the carriage was a lounge car, decorated with small tables and comfy chairs by the windows. Towards the end of the carriage there was a stairwell. Just before the doors.
Ashachu wasn't sure why, but for some reason he had the urge to go up. It was as if there was something calling to him from up there.
"What do you think's up those stairs?"
Charizard got back to his feet and shrugged. "I don't know and knowing Team Rocket I probably don't want to. Plus, I…Ashachu."
"I going to check it out."
To Charizard's amazement, Ashachu scurried off up the carriage towards the stairwell.
"Ashachu. Wait!"
A challenge when designing passenger railway carriages, particularly those on long distance trains, is fitting everything one needs into very little space. Accordingly, the stairwell was not particularly wide or high.
For Ashachu, being a not even half a meter long Pikachu, it was easy. But for Charizard, far taller and more voluptuous than even the larger humans and equipped with a wide set of wings, it was impossible.
He managed to get about halfway up before his shoulder got stuck. Only his head managed to reach the top. The stairs lead into the glass dome on the top of the carriage. There wasn't a huge amount of space up here, and what little there was filled with yet more comfortable looking seating.
Charizard was surprised to find Ashachu standing in the middle of the dome, his maw hanging open in surprise, in front of…
"You!"
He spat the word out angrily, a little smoke emanating from his mouth and nostrils…
At the very end of the dome, with his paws tied above his head suspended from a chain in the ceiling, and his feet locked in a spreader bar was…
"Blade," gasped Ashachu. "Wh-what are you doing up here?"
Sneasel seemed as surprised to see them as they were to see him. His eye widened and he did a sharp intake of breath at the sight of Ashachu, followed by Charizard's head, coming up the stairs. Then a cool expression returned to his face.
"Oh, you know. Nothing beats flying across the country on a train!" Then when Ashachu sighed, he added, "I got stuck up here to lure Shadow in, so those Team Rocket creeps could capture him. Bunch of fucknuts."
"GRRRR…"
A loud deep growl suddenly filled the dome, making Ashachu jump. Something black jumped out from one of the seats, landing in the aisle between Ashachu and Blade. Ashachu took a few steps backwards instinctively.
"Hey, what are you doing here." The creature was a fierce looking dog like Pokémon, with black fur, a wide red muzzle, and a scowl. It wasn't much large than Ashachu was himself, but still he felt his fur bristle and a lump form in his throat. The creature did have two long fangs protruding from its upper jaw. "Electric pipsqueak."
"Oh yeah and they sent this Houndour to guard me," Blade added. "Not that it was necessary." He rattled the chains above his head. "Personally, I think he's here just to enjoy the scenery, if you know what I mean."
"Be quite Sneasel," Houndour growled. He looked over his shoulder and bared his teeth at Blade.
The Sneasel merely returned him a cocky grin and taunted back, "you know you love it."
Houndour rolled his eyes and turned back to Ashachu, "Look, I'm in a good mood today mouse, so I'm going to give you a warning. Beat it, or I'll tear your throat out."
"Here's a warning for you," snarled Charizard from behind. He thrashed about, trying in vain to push himself through the hole. "Lay a paw on my boyfriend and I'll burn you to cinders."
This statement caught Blade's attention. He stated at Ashachu, then at Charizard his eyes wide. "Wait, what?"
Ashachu for his part, despite his racing heart, was not going to be intimidated by this Team Rocket Pokémon. He dropped onto his all fours and gave off a warning spark. "You really want to try it Houndour?"
For one heart stopping moment, Ashachu, Charizard and Houndour stared daggers at each other…
Houndour attacked first, opening his jaws and spitting out a jet of fire. Ashachu was ready for it. He leapt into the air, allowing the flames to sail right under him…which unfortunately caused them to hit Charizard right in the face.
"Ahhhh…. Hey! Why you little."
"Pikachuuuuu." The moment Ashachu's paw returned to the floor, he fired off a powerful spark of electricity. Houndour convulsed as his body was encased in a flurry of yellow sparks. Then, he keeled over and lay still.
"Not bad kiddo," said Blade, grinning. "You're really starting to use your instinct."
Ashachu permitted himself a brief smile and curt, "thanks."
For a moment the two Pokémon just stared at each other, Ashachu feeling somewhat awkward. None of the rush or excited feelings he had experienced when he had first met the Sneasel seemed to come back. Instead, he felt, almost hollow.
Fortunately, he was soon distracted by Charizard whining, "ahh, my eye. Ow ow ow…"
"You okay," Ashachu asked as he whipped around, his heart skipping a beat.
Poor Charizard had his right eye closed, the scales around which had turned quite red.
"I think that fucking Houndour gave me a burn."
"Let me see." Ashachu came closer and placed a paw on the red skin.
"Ahh…. Careful!"
"Sorry."
It didn't look too bad, just a little red. Ashachu licked the affected area, causing Charizard to sigh with relief.
"Oh, that feels good. Thanks babe."
"How does a fire type get burned," mumbled Blade.
"ZARD!"
His comment earned him a jet of fire to the face.
"Sorry," He coughed, spitting out a mouthful of ash. "What's got your tail in a twist…"
Just as he spoke, he felt a shuddering under his paws followed by some strange force that nearly caused him loose balance.
"What the," he cried, looking up at Charizard.
"Are we slowing down," the fire lizard asked rhetorically.
It had grown too dark outside to actually tell what the train was doing or where it was. All that waw visible outside the dome where the stars high above, most of which were obscured by cloud cover.
Charizard frowned deeply. "Yeah, we're definitely slowing down. Ashachu, I don't like this. We need to find Ash and get out of here."
Ashachu nodded. He agreed there was just one problem. "What about him." He pointed at Blade.
Charizard, looked at Blade, raised his eyebrows then scowled. "Fuck him!"
"Charizard. We can't leave him here… You know what Team Rocket will do to him."
"I don't give a shit," growled Charizard. "Ashachu, he tried to kill you. He threatened to have his psycho fuckbuddy murder all of us."
Ashachu bit his lip. "I still can't just leave him here to suffer. That wouldn't be right."
Charizard snorted. "He deserves to. Besides, if he comes with us, that Darkrai will be after us."
Ashachu sighed and gazed back at Blade. Even with all his attempt at cockiness in spite of the situation, Blade still looked pathetic. Chained up in here like a prisoner. Plus, Ashachu reasoned, it was at least partly his fault he was stuck here.
"Hold still."
Blade coxed his head. "What…Wah." He recoiled as Ashachu ran right at him, his tail glowing. "HEY! AHHHH."
He shut his eyes and flinched, waiting to feel the savage blow from Ashachu's iron tail attack. But it didn't come. Instead, he felt the bands around his paws break, and his tried arms fell to his sides. Up until that point he had been unaware of the terrible ache in his shoulder blades.
"Huh…." He opened his eyes to see Ashachu standing before him, a smug smile on his face. "You…You freed me."
"You don't have to thank me," Ashachu replied.
Charizard pulled a face and shook his head disapprovingly. "C'mon let's go." He reached forward and took hold of Ashachu's tail in his mouth, before pulling his head out of the stairwell.
"Whoa!" Ashachu lost his footing as he was pulled backward. Next thing he knew he was back on the bottom level of the dome car, being held safely in Charizard's arms.
"You shouldn't have done that Ashachu," he said disapprovingly. "That Sneasel isn't worth risking our lives for. Not after all he's done."
Ashachu grimaced. "I understand how you feel but…I couldn't just leave him there. Even if it's over, the friendship that we shared means more to me than that. Besides, he's still a Pokémon isn't he."
Charizard gave him a warm smile, before licking him across the face. "There's that kind loving Pikachu I fell in love with!" His smile disappeared however when Blade made his way down the stairs.
He clutched Ashachu a little close to his chest, bared his fangs and growled, "Listen good Sneasel! You put one claw on Ashachu. You even look at him funny. And I'll fucking incinerate you! Got it!"
[Pokémon]
At the head of the train…
"Are we," Ash stared while Pikachu finished his sentence.
"Slowing down."
Without windows, it was impossible to tell what the train was actually doing, and the locomotive ran almost silently. The only indication that the train was losing speed was the change in the vibrations in the floor.
"Rai." Rai-Rai the Raichu nodded, not taking his eye away from the screen. One paw was resting on the dead mouse lever, while the other was pulling down on another lever. Ash guessed this must have been the throttle.
Pikachu rounded on Zacian. "Why are slowing down. What's going on! What's happening at this rendezvous point."
Zacian shrugged. "I told you, Team Rocket doesn't tell me anything. I don't know."
"Ash I really don't like this," Pikachu shouted. He leapt off Ash's shoulder landing on his hind legs on the ground, where he begun waving his little arms and pointing to the door. "We have to go, NOW. Let's find Ashachu and Charizard and get the fuck out of here!"
Ash sighed. "Agreed."
"Wait…Where are you going," Zacian cried out as the pair ran off down the train…