Hello and blessing to you all. As we get ready for the second part of the hidden village, I want to note this chapter will get significantly darker than any of my previous chapters. This isn't something I plan to often, but I felt it was necessary to introduce a more menacing threat. Anyway, lets jump right in!
Chapter 14: Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village Part 2
Nighttime was now setting in over the hidden village as the surrounding forest was turning dark and silent. The gang was relaxing in Melanie's home as their host explained how the village was an abandoned farm when she found it, something Ash struggled to believe with how well it looked now. The house was fairly small, only a main floor living room and small kitchen with an upstairs bedroom, but it was well decorated and fully furnished. Melanie had many pictures on the walls including pictures of the pokemon from the area, pictures of her and her friends from college, and finally a picture of her outside her home with two men.
"This was taken when we finally finished renovating." Melanie said as she pulled the picture off the wall, smiling at it fondly. "I met Jeff and Albert shortly after I arrived here. They were so helpful setting everything up that soon they were making the drive to Lavender Town weekly to get more supplies. This was the only picture I had with them before Jeff…"
The group looked down sadly, not wanting to say a word.
"We should probably be getting to bed now. We've got a long day of traveling in front of us." Misty finally said.
Melanie went to the kitchen to do some last minute cleaning when a terrified shriek came out of her and she dropped a plate.
"What's wrong?" Ash asked, jumping out of his seat as the plate smashed into pieces.
"They're here." Melanie whispered.
"Who?" Ash asked.
"The poachers. It must be them."
As the group peeked out the window they saw shadowy figures coming closer.
"Looks like we might need to fight after all." Misty growled as she got up and began to stretch.
"No! You mustn't." Melanie said hysterically. "We don't know why they're here. Please hide in the closet for now. More people could only make things worse."
"But-" Ash began
"She's right." Brock said, cutting him off. "We shouldn't cause any trouble until we know why they're here."
The group reluctantly slipped into the closet and closed the door. Luckily, they were able to peer through the cracks and see what was happening. The poachers didn't even bother knocking on the door when they arrived. Instead the door was smashed open by one of the largest men Ash had ever seen. In fact he was so big that if he turned out to be an Urasring in a human costume Ash wouldn't be surprised. The large man ducked in the doorway as he entered with what seemed to be another man draped over his shoulder. He was followed by a much smaller man with a ponytail. Despite the man's stature there was an aura of even greater evil as he gave Melanie a cold smile. Finally the last man entered. To Ash, he looked ex-military. He was on the taller end but very muscular with a shaved head. Of course what was most noteworthy was the horrific scar running down the side of his face. When he finally entered the house he eyed Melanie.
"Do you know who were are?" He finally asked. Melanie was completely pale and could only slowly nod her head as she stared at the man, who Ash assumed was the leader.
"Then you know what we're capable of." The man growled. He then nodded to his large companion who threw the man on his shoulder down onto the kitchen table. The leader walked over to the man on the table and said, "Our compatriot here has found himself a bit injured. I need you to help him."
"I-I'm a pokemon doctor." Melanie said weakly.
"Well lucky for you he happened to be injured by a swarm of Beedrill. Should be right up your alley. Now you're going to help and we'll continue on being friends. If you don't then, well, I'm afraid we'll be less friendly."
"If-if I help. Will you leave here?" Melanie asked with a strange mix of fear and hope.
The man smirked, "So be it. Heal my man and we'll leave your little farm in peace."
"Very well." Melanie said as she seemed to regain a bit of composure. The girl then spent the next half hour intently working on the man. Ash, who was crouching in the closet, had to fight the urge to reposition himself multiple times. Things were going too well and if he moved it would risk ruining everything. Finally Melanie wrapped the man in some bandages and said, "I stopped the poison from spreading and it's even starting to recede. If he stays off his feet for the next 24 hours he should be fine."
The man walked around his sleeping friend looking him up and down. "Good." He said with a nod of approval. "Now what do you have to eat? He then began throwing things from the cabinet as he went through it.
"Bu-but you said you'd leave." Melanie stuttered in disbelief.
The man smiled back at her. All sense seemed to disappear as he radiated evil.
"Well I've had a change of heart. You see we stayed away from this place because we were worried about someone getting word to the outside world about where we were." As he said this he stalked over to her computer and snapped the cord with a knife before smiling, "It appears that won't be an issue anymore. So we'll stay here, just for a bit. We'll drink and eat and relax while you play the role of our gracious host. Play along and maybe my boys won't turn you into our entertainment. NOW MAKE THIS!" He roared at the last part and threw a box of food at the poor girl who dropped to her knees crying profusely.
"Enough of this!" Came a roar from behind Ash. But it was not Misty as he expected. Rather Brock bowled his way out of the closet to face the men. Ash quickly scrambled to his feet as he and the others went to back up Brock.
"Looks like our host was keeping some friends secret from us. That'll cost you, girlie." The smaller man spat.
The leader laughed as he eyed up the three, "You kids should've stayed hidden till we fell asleep. You might've even had a chance to slit our throats then. Leo, Brutus, we don't need anymore hosts, kill the kids." They smiled as they walked forward. Suddenly two vines shattered the windows to the house. Leo and the leader were wrapped up by them and dragged from the house. Outside Bulbasaur used his vines to slam the three to the ground
"Tez! Leo!" Brutus called as he rushed outside.
"What the heck was that?" Tez grumbled as got to his feet.
"Boss, I think that Bulbasaur was with the Venasaur we trapped earlier." Leo said as he got to his feet.
"Oh right." Tez said as he dusted himself off, "Too bad she didn't make it. Venasaur can get you a pretty penny."
Bulbasuar roared in anger before firing off a razorleaf. It didn't hit the poachers though. Protecting the three was a massive red bug that Ash had never seen before. It was long and red with fire bursting from both ends. Tez casually flipped a pokeball in the air As the fierce stood in front of him.
"Come for revenge, little guy? I can respect that. But I don't think my pal Centiskorch is gonna let it happen. Now use flamethrower!"
The flaming bug launched a flamethrower attack. Bulbasuar barely dodged but fire now hit the forest setting it up in a blaze.
"They're going to burn the whole forest down!" Serena shouted in fear.
"Serena go and try to get the pokemon away from here." Ash shouted, "Misty you need to stop that fire. Brock get Melanie away from here."
"Understood." Brock said as he took Melanie by the hand and rushed her out of the cabin and to the right. Serena and Misty exited as well to the left.
"Pikachu use thundershock." Ash whispered. His partner leapt from his shoulder and unleashed a streak of electricity that smashed into the back of Centiskorch. The giant bug writhed in pain until the attack stopped. Tez flipped his head back towards Ash.
"I thought you would have tried to run away by now." He called.
Ash stared at him darkly, "Nope"
"Ha! I love your confidence! And you saved us the trouble of hunting you all down."
"You're a monster." Ash spat, "We're going to stop you here.
Tez smiled, "You're out of your league, kid."
"Bulba" came a voice. Bulbasuar came and stood next to Pikachu and glared at the poacher who smiled back at them, "Lets have some fun."
Brock rushed Melanie away from the house.
"I can't leave the pokemon." Melanie shrieked hysterically.
"They'll be fine, my friends are getting them to safety now. But those poachers will kill you once they're friend is healthy."
"Wait!" Came a booming voice. Stepping forward was a very angry Brutus. His ugly face scowling at them to show off some missing teeth, "You can't leave until Damien is better."
"Melanie, stand behind." Brock said calmly as he tossed forward a pokeball, "Go Onix!"
"Go Copperajah!" Brutus yelled. Brock had to stepback for a moment in shock. The elephant, like, pokemon blew its trunk before preparing to charge. After a moment Brock steeled his resolve, he had to win this.
"Go!" Both Brock and Brutus yelled as their pokemon charged forward.
On the other side of the hidden village Serena was shouting to the pokemon, "Go leave now!" She didn't know if they understood or not but regardless they were fleeing and that's all that mattered. As Serena looked around she heard a noise, "Odd, odd!" It called. The girl looked around until she found the source, the Oddish from earlier stuck under a branch.
"Hey little one, let me help you out there." Serena said calmly as she reached down and freed the pokemon.
"Oddish!" The pokemon squealed with a big smile.
"You get to safety now, ok?" Serena said softly.
"Well ain't that cute." came a sneering voice from behind the two. Serena wheeled her head around in shock as Leo stepped out of the shadows, his beady eyes now darker and more full of maliciousness than anything Serena had seen before.
"You know I get why Tez and Brutus are so focused on that doctor." Leo said walking closer, "We need to look after our brothers in arms. No man left behind and all. But frankly, since the moment I saw you, I couldn't give a damn about Damien… or anyone else."
Oddish stepped in front of Serena protectively. Leo burst into laughter at this, "Well ain't that cute. Take care of it."
Serena's eyes widened in horror. Behind Leo a shadow emerged and stepped forward. Its body was almost entirely black, save for small spots of different colors, mainly an eerie green. What was more unnerving was its body. The pokemon seemed to be covered in hair but the fur looked like a mix between tentacles and muscle. In the blink of an eye they stretched out allowing the pokemon to reach across the battlefield and slam down Oddish knocking it out cold. Serena quickly scooped the poor grass type up. Her body was now trembling in fear.
"Don't waste your energy protecting that pokemon sweetheart. You see Tez won't like the idea of keeping a second prisoner. I'm going to need to prove to him you'll be good."
Serena attempted to turn and run but the mysterious pokemon stretched its body again and grabbed her.
"There'll be none of that now." Leo called, "Good work Grimmsnarl." He said to the pokemon. As Leo walked closer, his smile became more maniacal by the second. His eyes filled with greed.
Serena screamed in terror as she desperately tried to crawl away but the pokemon pulled her closer and closer to it's master.
"Unfortunately we don't have time to waste now, my sweet. Your friends will be dead very soon. I'll need to have you broken by then if I have any chance of getting to keep you. So come here. Let me see my new pet!"
"Starmie, bubblebeam!" A shout came from behind them. The bubbles burst around both pokemon and trainer causing the Grimmsnarl to drop Serena. Now, Serena had always thought of bubblebeam as more of a flashy attack than dangerous. But watching the bubbles burst in explosions around Leo's face made Serena realize how dangerous it really was.
"Sorry were late." Misty said as she rushed to Serena's side, "You ok?"
Serena nodded wearily causing Misty to smile, "Good, let us take care of this creep."
Pikachu iron tail!" Ash ordered back near the cabin. Pikachu launched itself forward and slammed its tail into the monstrous bug. At the same time Bulbasaur was firing razor leafs off from the other side.
"Fire lash!" Tez hissed. The flames on Centiskorches face turned into two whips that slammed its opponents. Pikachu was shaken but Bulbasuar, being a grass type, was seriously hurt.
"Pikachu protect Bulbasaur!" Ash shouted. The yellow rodent dashed across the ground slamming itself into Centiskorch with a quick attack before dashing to Bulbasaur. Slowly the grass type rose to its feet and made its way back to Ash's side.
"Bulbasaur, are you ok?" Ash asked. The pokemon only grunted as it faced its foe. "We need to keep attacking at the same time-" Ash began but Bulbasaur wasn't interested. Again it charged forward. Centiskorch was ready though. As Bulbasaur prepared its vine whip the flaming bug prepared another fire lash. The whips met in midair and collided, Centiskorch's flames easily overpowering its opponent. The bug pokemon gave one final swing. This time the flaming whips connected directly with the grass type and Bulbasuar was sent flying directly at the house with great speed. He didn't crash into it though. Instead Ash dove out and caught the pokemon in his arms. The grass type looked up in bewilderment but Ash only smiled confidently, "I got you. Now how about we win this together?"
Ash was unsure if the grass type understood him. For a moment it only stared at the boy in confusion. Finally the pokemon smiled and grunted "Bulba!" before jumping out to join Pikachu.
Back in the forest the battle continued fiercely.
"Dark pulse! Leo shouted.
"Stop that with bubblebeam then follow up with rapid spin!" Misty ordered. Starmie was just barely able to stop the dark pulse before hurling itself towards Grimmsnarl.
"Suckerpunch" Leo commanded. The evil pokemon struck Starmie brutally with a strike smashing the water type into a tree.
"No good" Misty growled, "He's a dark type and Starmie is part psychic. We're at a huge disadvantage."
Serena stared on in fear. She saw fire bursting back by Melanie's house so she knew Ash was still battling. All she could do was watch her friends battle while she stood there like a coward. Serena cursed her weakness.
"Alright Starmie, let's try another bubblebeam!" Misty ordered.
"Enough of this." Leo hissed, "Darkest Lariat!"
Grimmsnarl's right arm now oozed blackness as it swung mightly at Starmie. The bubblebeams did nothing as the pokemon connected and slammed into the water type. Starmie when flying across the forest slamming hard into a tree. When the dust settled all that was left was slumped over pokemon with the gem in its center blinking weakly.
"Starmie!" Misty shouted as she tried to rush towards her partner. She didn't get far though as Grimmsnarl used its long hair to grab both her and Serena by the throat with its two arms.
"That was fun." Leo sneered as he walked closer to Misty and inspected her. "You're not bad either. Unfortunately you're a bit too feisty for my taste. Grimmsnarl, kill the redhead."
"Pikachu thunder shock and Bulbasaur tackle!" Ash shouted as the two pokemon jumped in unison. Centiskorch used all it's might to try and slam the two pokemon with fire lash but to no avail. With Pikachu and Bulbasaur working together they constantly counter attacked whenever the pokemon went for the other.
"Flamethrower now!" Tez shouted desperately.
"Bulbasaur dodge, Pikachu use iron tail."
This slam seemed to really affect Centiskorch. The pokemon stumbled backwards and for the first time Ash saw a chance at victory.
"Let's finish this, Pikachu, Iron tail and Bulbasaur, tackle!" Both pokemon charged together. Ash watched with hope. Centiskorch was still stumbling, it couldn't defend itself. They could win!
Then Tez smiled "Burn up." He said coldly. What happened next was a display of power Ash didn't think possible. Centiskorch's entire body turned to fire as it released a flaming attack that burst out in every direction. Pikachu and Bulbasaur had no time to dodge while Ash could only drop to his knees as fire erupted over him. When he looked up again both Pikachu and Bulbasuar were out cold. Melanie's house was now a blazing mess, as was the rest of the farm. Fire was spreading deeper into the forest. To Ash's right he heard a terrible sound. The boy looked over to see some elephant pokemon he'd never seen blowing its trunk in victory as one of its massive feet was crushing down on a passed out Onix.
"Well that was exciting. " Came the sneering voice of Tez. "Not really fair, considering you had two pokemon but still…I warned you didn't I? I'm out of your league."
He was now standing above Ash. The raven haired boy could only glare back at him. Even in the face of death Ash was resolved to not show fear.
Tez smirked, "Centiskorch, finish the kid off with a flamethrower."
"Toxtricity use thunderbolt!" a voice shouted out.
"Grimmsnarl, kill the redhead." Leo ordered.
Suddenly there was a flash of white and Serena and Misty were crashing back into the ground. Serena looked up to Grimmsnarl's hair had been cut clean off by a strange white bird holding some sort of bamboo sword. Suddenly there were men everywhere in black suits. There pokemon quickly defeated Grimmsnarl and the men subdued Leo.
Back with Ash there was a similar scene. The boy watched the strange elephant and its trainer taken down while Tez and Centiskorch desperately fought off more.
"Tez Anders!" A voice shouted out. Walking next to the Toxtricity was a man with spiky blue hair in a suit. "Agent Smith, Galar G-men unit. And you're under arrest."
The next few minutes was quite the scene. Serena, Misty, and Brock were reunited with Ash as about 20 agents swarmed the area. After the poachers were restrained they got to work stopping the fire. Melanie was a short distance away hugging another man Ash recognized from a picture, it was the pokemon ranger Albert. Albert has rushed all the way to Lavender Town, like he told Melanie, to call his uncle. It turns out his uncle was a member of the G-Men. An international organization of elite trainers who investigate and stop major pokemon related crimes. After putting out the fire, Agent Smith approached the group.
"You kids were incredibly brave facing those crooks." He said. "These poachers have been wanted internationally for years now. Recently they attacked a very rare pokemon in Galar, bombed a pokemon ranger building in the process. Many died from it. They won't be getting out of prison ever again."
That night the group slept soundly in a camp setup by the G-Men. Well, not quite everyone slept soundly. Serena tossed and turned for hours before falling asleep. When she woke up the next morning she was the last one in bed.
"Hey" Came a voice from behind Serena. The honey blonde girl turned around to see Misty sitting in a chair. "Ash and Brock are outside. Ash just caught that Bulbasaur so he's in a happy mood. I think Brock just figured out Melanie and Albert are a couple so he's a little less happy."
"Hmm" was all Serena could manage as she got up.
"You ok?" Misty asked, "I saw what happened last night. I decided not to tell the others about it. It's ok if you're still shaken. "
Serena closed her eyes and though of the cruelty in Leo's eyes. The evil smile on his face as he captured Serena.
"I'm not shaken." She shot back, "I'm angry."
"I'm angry too." Misty said, "Kanto officials should've done way more to stop the poachers a long time ago. We're lucky the G-Men came so quickly."
"It's not that." Serena responded. "Last night I was helpless. Again!"
Misty straightened up at this, clearly surprised by what Serena said.
The girl continued, "You all fought so well and all I could do was sit there." Tears now formed in her eyes, "You heard what that creep wanted to do to me. I don't just want to be a damsel."
"I wouldn't say I fought well." Misty responded truthfully, "Those guys were way different than Team Rocket. None of us had any shot against them. We're lucky to be alive."
"You were so brave." Serena replied, "I thought I didn't need to train my pokemon to battle. I thought it wasn't necessary. But everywhere we've gone trouble has found us. And I've been helpless. Well not anymore."
"What are you going to do?" Misty asked. Her eyes then widened in confusion as Serena bowed her head to Misty, "I want to become strong. Like you, like Brock… Like Ash. Misty, please teach me how to battle."
"Enough of that." Misty said to her friend awkwardly, "Of course I'll teach you. But don't expect this to be easy. The school of Misty is serious business!"
Serena smiled, "I can't wait."
As the two walked outside a voice called out to them, "Serena! You won't believe it. I caught that Bulbasaur!" Ash cheered as he rushed over.
"Congrats Ash!" Serena said with a smile as her crush joined her side. The girl then felt something rustling at her feet. She looked down to see Oddish smiling up at her.
"She's asking to go with you." A voice said. The group looked up to see Melanie walking over. "You should take her. That Oddish has a heart of gold."
"Would you really like that Oddish?" Serena asked as the pokemon smiled back. Not needing anything more, Serena pulled out a pokeball and Oddish eagerly jumped in.
"What will you do now, Melanie? I'm really sorry about your house." Misty said.
Melanie giggled, "You have nothing to be sorry about. You all saved my life! Thank you."
"Your welcome" The four said as they shuffled their feet in embarrassment.
"And to answer your question: Albert said they're planning to put a pokemon center around here. I'm going to be the doctor there!"
"That's amazing!" Serena exclaimed, "Why'd they decide that."
"Well I guess it had been planned for a while. A lot more trainers have been traveling through Cerulean City recently. The G-Men have some connections in the pokemon league and they're going to recommend me for all I've done for the area. Construction starts in about a month. In the meantime I'm going home for a bit. I need a rest."
"You earned it." Brock said sincerely.
"Well we should be getting going. Lavender Town is still a ways off." Misty said.
"Goodbye and thank you again!" Melanie shouted as the group headed out. They had survived a terrible experience and now we're off to their next adventure.
Miles away the police van drove with four criminals handcuffed in the back.
"I can't believe you were caught when I was out." Damien spat.
"Relax, we've been arrested before. We'll get out." Leo said calmly.
"It was those kids' fault. If they hadn't distracted us there's no way the G-Men would have snuck up on us." Brutus complained.
"You three taken out by some kids. Just when I thought I'd seen everything." Damien replied.
"Silence!" Tez spat. "Leo is right, we'll be out in no time. And when we are. The first thing we're going to do is kill those kids."
And there you have it! I'm hoping to pick up the chapter pace again, so I'd like to have another chapter posted by this weekend. As hinted, the poachers will appear again in the future. In the meantime, I thought this would be a good opportunity to give a little character growth to Serena since she hasn't gotten a whole lot. Obviously, Serena won't be a fierce trainer overnight but she'll now start working to become stronger. Also I did make the decision to have Ash capture Bulbasaur in the background. I know some of you might not like the decision and it's not one I'll do often but we already got a Bulbasaur battle earlier and I decided to spend more time on Serena than a battle that would be really similar to the one in the show. Anyway, thanks for reading. I'll be back real soon!