Chapter 101; An uneasy alliance
"Mmhmm. This amazing" Wally said as he hungrily took another bite from his chili dog.
"Well call me impressed. First time I had one my tongue was burned" Sonic joked.
"It is very spicy but that's exactly why I love it. I've never had something real spicy to eat, courtesy of my parents".
"Wait, they kept you from eating spicy stuff?"
"Yes, because once during a family gathering I choked on a spicy piece of meat and my mom assumed it triggered my asthma".
"Ok this is getting very unreasonable. Hasn't your mother ever taken you to a doctor? Or even just ask one about asthma?"
"No. Want to know why? Cause mother knows best".
"Dude" Sonic was shocked.
"Yeah. They are total helicopter parents, my dad a bit less but just won't stand up to her because he also worries".
"So basically they are just accepting of the status quo".
"As is my cousin Wanda. Only my uncle tries to take my side but can't really go against the entire family".
"I see".
"How did your parents take it? You know when they discovered you had gone to war against team rocket in Kanto?"
"They were shocked. And angry. Especially since they learned of it after the fact. I had a lengthy chat with them during our vacation on the orange islands and they accepted I could handle myself. If I could tame Moltres, they were sure I would be ok".
"I'm so jealous. You did so many dangerous things and they trusted you to be ok. My mom literally still struggles not to call me every single second when it's my turn to go buy groceries".
"Ok this is very unhealthy with all due respect" Sonic couldn't help himself.
Wally nodded but before he could continue a big sign caught his attention. The sign read 'Stern Shipyards'.
"We're here!" he exclaimed.
Looking inside they were amazed beyond belief. The massive hull of a ship was being constructed in one of the yards, which was buzzing with activity. On a nearby yard, some workers had dried the water underneath a boat brought in for maintenance and were performing said maintenance. All around the air, metallic clanging sounds and sounds of heavy machinery were surrounding them.
Many Pokemon species were also helping around the shipyards. A lot of them belonged to the machop line which was known for its incredible strength but several grass types like ivysaurs were also utilized for their vine whip to help lift objects into place. Water type Pokemon were also doing their part in cleaning the hull of the boat.
"So cool" Wally whispered.
"Totally. I never wondered how much work it takes to build or maintain a ship. So neat".
"Hey what are you kids doing here? This area is prohibited to non-stuff" a worker approached them.
"Oh apologies. I was sent by Mr Stone with some parts for captain Stern".
"There you're out of luck. Captain Stern isn't here".
Sonic frowned. Of course it wouldn't be this easy.
"Any idea where we could find him?"
"You could try at the oceanic museum. He frequents there a lot".
"Ok where is it exactly?"
"Near the shore to the east. Can't miss it. Oh and when you meet him, tell him Dock sent for you before anything else. Sometimes he doesn't want to be bothered".
"I'll keep that in mind thanks" Sonic said as they left.
"Well I guess a detour is in order" he commented.
"Let's make the most of it then. If I am to train Magikarp I should know about the sea. Anything could prove useful for it" Wally eagerly said.
Sonic approved of the line of thought.
As Dock said, the museum was impossibly to miss. It was the most breathtaking building in town, its blue glass exterior reflecting the sunlight from the sun like a glowing blue lightbulb. The background of the sea behind it was also quite relaxing.
Outside the museum, Sonic and Wally came across a huge sign that read
«The endless sea sustains all life.»
OCEANIC MUSEUM
Founded by Captain Stern.
"Woah, captain Stern built the museum?" Sonic wondered aloud.
"That means there's bound to be so much to see in there! His career is legendary here in Hoenn! Let's go!" Wally excitedly rushed to the entrance.
Sonic followed, Wally's excitement infecting him once again.
After paying the entry fee the pair walked in and were met with an unexpected view that left them both baffled.
In the main hall of the museum where most of the basic exhibits were, a huge crowd of people wearing the same outfit, consisting of blue and white striped shirts and shocks, grey trousers for the men and a mix between grey and brown for the women and lastly, a black bandana on the head with a weird symbol. The symbol resembled the skull on pirate flags in a way but instead of a skull it was only a circle with a small horn on the top.
"What in the… what is this? Some pirate club visiting the museum?" Sonic inquired.
"Beats me" Wally was just as flabbergasted "let's stick together though".
The two started traversing the museum, admiring the exhibits and looking for captain Stern.
Wally immediately pressed a button on one of those exhibits that described an exhibit.
"Oceanic mini fact #1; Why is seawater blue?"
Another voice then continued as if this was a conversation.
"Light composes of many colors. When light passes through water, most kinds of light lose color. However blue light retains its color, making the sea appear blue".
"Woah that is so neat. Did you know about that?" Wally asked Sonic.
"Honestly no. I always thought that the sea just reflected the sky. That is really a neat fact" Sonic admitted.
The pair continued listening to those facts from the speakers as well as looking through the exhibits.
All the while the pirates gave them weird glances, causing Sonic to stay vigilant. Those guys just looked a little too suspicious.
Eventually they explored the entire first floor and headed to the staircase to go to the 2nd floor, hoping to also find captain Stern there.
Just as Sonic took the 1st step…
"Is this some kind of joke?"
Sonic stopped. It really did feel like some joke. He sighed closing his eyes.
"If you can't avoid it, enjoy it Ash" he spoke as he turned to face the Pallet town trainer.
Pikachu, with Raichu being in its pokeball, remained on Ash's shoulder giving Sonic an angry look.
"So this is how this journey is going to go? I will have to run into your jerk face everywhere?"
"Hey you're not that pleasant to be around either" the hedgehog crossed his arms.
He then noticed Ash was alone.
"Where are the others?"
"Looking around. Where is your arrogant friend?"
"We split. For now".
"Pity. I wanted another go at her".
"After last time's fiasco?" Wally interjected.
"She got a lucky break. Next time she won't be that lucky. And neither will you".
Sonic didn't bother answering. Pride was Ash's issue to solve.
"Did you happen to run into someone named captain Stern here? We're looking for him".
"What for?"
"Running an errand for someone" Sonic answered in a general manner.
"No. I haven't".
"I see. Alright then. We will keep looking for him. Enjoy the museum" Sonic said and tried to turn and walk up the stairs.
"Hey. Don't you have anything to say about my challenge?"
"Nope" Sonic didn't even look back.
Ash didn't expect such a reply. He was sure his challenge would trigger Sonic even a little bit.
"Aren't you going to try and prove me wrong?"
"The only thing I have to prove to you is that I can be worthy of your forgiveness, not such a pointless and trivial fact as something stemming from pride" Sonic this time looked over his shoulder before continuing up the stairs with Wally.
"Hmph. Coward".
Sonic turned again but found Wally already facing Ash, having apparently jumped down 5 stairs.
"Take that back! You have no right to talk to him that way! You're not even half the trainer he is!"
"What was that kid?!" Ash got into Wally's face.
"Wally no" Sonic pulled him back "this isn't worth fighting about".
"You're going to let him speak to you that way?" Wally was shocked by Sonic's passive stance.
"Things are not as simple as you think. Just let it go for now. We're here for a reason".
Ash however wasn't ready to give up. He chased them up the stairs.
"Hey we're not done!"
"Yes we are. Go back to your friends".
Ash caught up to them and blocked Sonic's way.
"I said we're not done".
Sonic rolled his eyes.
"Fine. Let me finish my task here and we'll take it outside. You good with that?"
"Make it quick".
The three trainers reached the top of the stairs. Again, more pirate looking people were looking around at the exhibits. Amongst them a man stood out.
"That's our guy" the edge of Sonic's lip moved upwards as he left to approach him.
Wally was left alone with Ash.
"So you're Sonic's biggest fan aren't you?"
"Of course I am. And I don't like the way you're treating him".
"So you're ok with the way he won the Johto league? By breaking Pikachu's tail?"
Pikachu, as Ash spoke those words, stared at Raichu's pokeball on Sonic's belt. It felt its rival's electricity emit from the pokeball.
The painful memories of the Johto league returned as it recalled how it felt when its tail was broken into two. Remembering as it cried out to Ho-oh, anyone to cut it off, burn it, anything that would free it from the searing pain.
Unbeknownst to Sonic, his wish had come true. Pikachu had been wishing it was dead in that moment.
"He made a mistake. But you didn't know when to quit. As you didn't against Blaze".
"Oh yeah? Well what if I told you that your idol is a fraud? That he did what he did on purpose?"
"You really expect me to believe that?"
"He confessed to me. He said he wished that his Raichu make Pikachu suffer and Raichu heard his thought because of their bond".
Wally was shocked to hear this, despite how impossible it sounded.
But then again… Sonic had explained to him, Steven and Blaze that he and Raichu were connected.
"You didn't… did you?" Wally silently wondered while keeping a steady face in front of Ash.
At the same time Sonic approached captain Stern.
"Captain Stern?"
Stern turned and his face gleamed.
"At long last. It is an honor to meet you" he eagerly shook Sonic's hand.
"Pleasure's all mine sir. I'm sorry I took so long to arrive".
"Better late than never. Literally. A thousand times preferable to the parts falling in the hands of the enforcer and team magma".
"They never bothered us. So, do you want me to hand you the parts right here, or should I drop them off at your shipyards?"
"I'll join you there. I need to verify their delivery with Mr Stone to finalize the transaction" Stern quickly decided.
"Ok that's good then" Sonic nodded.
The two then headed towards Ash and Wally, who had since been joined by the rest of Ash's group. Wally was driven into a corner by Ash who demanded an answer.
"Well? What have you go to say?!"
"Hey! Lay off him!" Sonic came to Wally's defense.
Before Ash could fire back, Max stopped them by getting captain Stern's attention, asking him about a rock exhibit they had seen earlier. The exhibit was on the ground floor.
Sonic and Ash both went silent, not wanting to disturb Max's eagerness to learn. May in the meantime racked her brain, trying to find a way to get Sonic alone for a few moments to ask for the advice she sought.
Midway through Stern's explanation of the rock, things started going south.
Angry voices from the ground floor had them all looking down from the railing.
Around three dozen people dressed in red outfits with hoods had entered and were quarreling with the pirate club. Sonic was confused until he noticed a particular trait that had him widening his eyes.
The hoods all had horns.
"Team Magma!" the final confirmation came from Ash himself.
Upon the confirmation, the quarreling turned into an all-out brawl. Almost everyone on the ground floor called out a poochyena although several others called out species Sonic didn't recognize. One attack order later and the ground floor turned into a battlefield.
"We got to do something!" Wally grabbed Sonic's shoulder.
Sonic went to reply but was stopped by the sound of a glass window breaking.
And a familiar voice.
"Seviper fetch!"
Sonic was suddenly pulled back by something wrapping around him.
"Sonic!" Wally reached for him.
Sonic found himself constricted by a scaly body, facing a snake-like Pokemon with massive red saber teeth bearing down on him as well as a chilling hiss.
"Why am I not surprised you have tamed a snake? After all you always were one. Shadow" he said as he looked sideways.
Shadow, in his enforcer disguise, grinned maliciously.
"My employer would like a word with you, hedgehog".
"Hey creep let him go!" Wally shouted calling out Ralts.
Ralts of course found itself against Shadow's salamence which kept everyone at bay.
Everyone that is, except Ash.
"You think I'm scared of you?! Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaaaa… chuuuu!"
Salamence was zapped by thunderbolt, crying out in anger.
"Trash should know their place! Salamence! Dragon claw!"
Salamence struck with terrifying speed, sending Pikachu crashing into the ground.
"Now crunch down on it!"
Salamence's fangs came down on Pikachu, causing it to cry out in pain as it struggled to break free.
"Ralts confusion!"
The confusion barely tickled salamence which slammed its tail into Ralts sending it into Wally's embrace.
"Leave them alone!" Sonic called to Shadow in anger "it's me you want!"
"Not just you" Shadow replied just as maliciously as before, as he sent out another pokemon. His absol.
"Fetch the parts!"
Absol charged captain Stern. Ash pushed him out of the way just in time. He then hopped back up and sent out another pokemon.
"Treecko! Pound!"
Treecko came out of its pokeball and tried to pound Absol with its signature tail sweep pound, only to be slashed away.
May and Brock immediately went on the offensive as well with Brock sending out his Onix and May her Torchic.
But just like with treecko, Absol's slash knocked out Torchic with immense ease before hurting Onix greatly.
Sonic was done with that. Blue lightning bolts crackled on his body.
"I said… let… them… GO!" he yelled before spindashing in place, pulling Seviper with him into it, damaging it greatly and causing it to release him as it was launched into a wall, knocked out.
Before Shadow could react Sonic had retreated back to his allies and called out Raichu and Combusken.
"Raichu thunder punch! Combusken double kick!"
Raichu punched Salamence, causing it to release Pikachu. Combusken clashed with Absol but got the short end of the stick. Regardless it sprang back up read to continue.
Shadow however wasn't going to play fair. Maxie could go screw himself if he expected him to not use all the tricks in the book.
"Backup now!"
In an instant 3 magma grunts emerged from the staircase, saying a quick yes sir before sending out a poochyena, a numel and a mightyena.
"Damn. We're surrounded" Sonic uttered.
Ash, always ready to refuse to surrender, called out Corphish.
"Don't tell me you're scared of them" Ash looked over his shoulder.
"We'll handle them. Protect the captain!" Brock said as he attempted to have Onix attack.
Before any of them could move, a muddy wave of water blasted all 3 grunts as well as their pokemon from behind.
As the three grunts groaned trying to get up, they all cowered in fear as a tanned man with a pointy beard dressed in blue and brandishing a blue bandana with that weird pirate symbol walked in. Followed by what seemed to be the evolution of Marshtomp.
"Bwahaha. Bold move, enforcer".
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the nature avenger" Shadow mocked him.
"Who are you?" Sonic asked him, sizing him up with reservations.
"The name's Archie and I am the leader of team Aqua. And you" he pointed towards Shadow "we have unfinished business".
"As much as I'd love to squash you Aqua scums, I'm on a deadline. Salamence! Get me the hedgehog!"
Salamence attempted to crunch Sonic to get him to Shadow only to be blocked by Swampert as it used ice punch to scare it away.
"We have no time to waste. You all" Archie immediately turned to Wally and Ash and his crew "go downstairs and help get the fight under control. Protect the museum visitors".
"You go down! I want a go at this jerk over there" Ash objected.
"Go down and help them Ash" Sonic insisted as he looked towards Shadow with determination "this battle is personal".
"Ash let's go" May dragged him by the arm, causing him to relent.
"Take care" Wally told Sonic as he followed them, leaving Sonic, Archie and Shadow alone.
"So. Shall we Enforcer?"
"Mind your business aqua trash! Sceptile!" he called out another pokemon. The familiar look allowed Sonic to deduce this was the final evolution of treecko.
"Raichu get ready!"
"Rai!"
"Don't be foolish" Archie warned Sonic "we need to take him together".
"Mind your business pal. I have unfinished business with him as well".
Archie sized Sonic up before having to have Swampert avoid a leaf blade from Sceptile that was bound to strike down Swampert.
"Raichu thunder punch that Salamence!"
The punch found its mark on Salamence's neck causing it to roar before going for dragon claw.
"Iron tail!"
The iron tail countered the dragon claw.
"Crunch now!"
Salamence crunched down on Raichu's tail, sending shivers of pain through Sonic's body as well before being thrown against the wall.
Shadow noticed that connection again. The next bit was easy to deduce.
Knocking Raichu out would knock Sonic out and it would be smooth sailing from there.
"Salamence! Flamethrower! Sceptile leaf blade! Absol! Slash! Strike down that Raichu!"
The two physical attacking pokemon charged Raichu. Combusken tried to intervene but was knocked out by Sceptile, leaving Raichu to get slashed by Absol.
The pain exploded inside Sonic's body as Salamence fired flamethrower as soon as Absol got out of the way.
"No!" he thought as he doubted he could take more.
Raichu closed its eyes but the flamethrower never struck.
Raichu opened its eyes and witnessed Swampert shielding it from the flamethrower which took a toll on it.
Sonic was taken aback at this before Archie called out to him.
"Don't just stand there! End this!"
Sonic nodded.
"Brick break!"
Raichu's paw came down on Absol which was knocked out in an instant.
"Now iron tail sceptile!"
"Leaf blade!"
The two moves collided, shaking the floor and were even felt by Ash and Pikachu who were helping evacuate the museum visitors while the battle between team aqua and team magma continued escalating.
"Salamence get me the hedgehog NOW!"
Salamence attempted to bite Sonic who spindashed to scare it away before launching and slamming into it, knocking it back.
"Raichu iron tail Sceptile's neck!"
Raichu obeyed and knocked the wind out of Sceptile knocking it out. It was just Salamence now.
"Together!" Archie grinned.
Sonic nodded.
"Thunder punch!"
"Ice punch!"
Swampert and Raichu both slammed their attacks into the overwhelmed Salamence which toppled.
"No!" Shadow yelled before instinctively dodging Sonic's attempt to pin him down again like he did at the cave.
Shadow quickly recalled his fainted pokemon with only one choice left.
"MAGMAS RETREAT!" he yelled before escaping out of the same broken window he had entered from.
The result was instantaneous. All the team Magma grunts retreated and fled the museum, leaving the team aqua grunts, Ash, his crew, Wally and captain Stern who had been hiding for his own safety through the brawl in question as to why.
As the murmurs of the people on the ground floor starred flooding the museum again, Archie turned to Sonic.
"Bwahaha. You impress me scumpo. That was some good battling right there".
"Who are you?" Sonic asked him, still suspicious.
"As I said, I'm Archie. Leader of team Aqua. We are Pokemon lovers who vehemently oppose team Magma".
"You oppose team Magma?" Sonic tilted his head still very suspicious. Archie just didn't emit trustworthiness.
"Of course. And from the looks of things, I'd say that so do you".
Sonic didn't reply right away.
"What is it exactly that you are? Team Aqua that is".
"We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Hoenn's environment and Pokemon from any and all threats like team Magma and the enforcer who have no regard for them".
Sonic's eyes narrowed. He was still not sold.
"Bwahaha. I like you scumpo" Archie laughed at Sonic's cautious approach "you don't trust easy do you? That's another thing we have in common".
"Another?"
"We both love Pokemon and want to protect them don't we? Sonic the hedgehog?"
Sonic was no longer surprised at being identified.
"So you know about me".
"Everyone does. Your feats against those monsters once known as team rocket have made you an idol for every member of team Aqua".
Sonic allowed Archie's words to sink in. Especially the part where Archie referred to team Rocket as monsters, for the first time in a while Sonic's stance against them being validated.
"But now I have a question for you scumpo" Archie suddenly went serious "you referred to the enforcer by name. Do you know him?"
"… I do. That's why I told Ash earlier our battle was personal. I only wish I had not let him escape again".
Archie sized him up again before laughing again.
"Bwahaha. That's a good mix right there. The desire to protect Pokemon and having a bone to pick with team Aqua's greatest enemy. You could prove an extraordinary ally".
Sonic contemplated it for a moment.
"Not interested. I have my own troubles these days".
"Bwahaha. Everyone does kid. But I respect that. Just a bit of advice; if you run into the enforcer again, make sure you are ready. Your Pokemon clearly need more growth. See you around scumpo" Archie said and left, the rest of team Aqua following him out.
Sonic remained there, processing all that had happened in the span of the last 10 minutes with as much of a clear mind as he could muster.
So there were two teams. Magma and Aqua.
One supposedly working on behalf of humanity, the other defending pokemon.
One apparently led by Shadow, the other by this Archie.
"They could be useful in tracking down Shadow" Sonic considered Archie's offer for a moment before shaking his head.
"No. I'm here for a reason. I can't stray from the path now. I will take his advice however. Shadow's pokemon are extremely strong. Raichu can't handle them all at once. We will need to train…"
"Sonic!" Wally's voice interrupted his line of thought.
Sonic looked down on the ground floor. The museum was in shambles. The battle had destroyed almost everything. Miraculously none of the exhibits were damaged, save for one stone, the biggest part of which was missing.
Quickly, Sonic recalled his Pokemon and jumped to the ground floor.
"Everyone ok?"
"Yeah. Creeps all ran away the moment that masked guy ordered the retreat" Ash explained.
"Team Aqua followed shortly after, as soon as their leader left" Wally concluded.
Sonic nodded as he looked around at the destruction.
"I'm so sorry captain".
"No worries. I was meaning to do a renovation soon anyway. You sped up the process if anything".
"Did you get that guy?" Ash asked Sonic.
"No. He escaped again".
"Again? You've left him escape before?"
"Not on purpose".
"Hmph. Ok. If there isn't anything else, we'll be going then" Ash declared and after a few seconds where no one objected, he left, followed by his friends.
Sonic and Wally also bid farewell to captain Stern and left the building, heading to the coast to clear their minds off that whole ordeal, not before handing the parts to him and washing their hands off of that errand at last.
"That was… so… intense" Wally commented after a while.
"Did you get hurt in the battle?"
"No. We handled ourselves ok. Ralts couldn't hurt the poochyenas so Ash took them on and I attacked the numels which aren't dark types".
Sonic had no idea what a numel was but nodded.
"Well call me impressed again. All-out brawls usually turn uglier than this. My friends and I have first-hand experience on this subject".
"Was it like that? When you fought team rocket?"
"Yes. Only a thousand times worse. Those guys were merely thugs. Team rocket were not thugs. They were monsters who would stop at nothing".
Wally recalled how overwhelmed he felt during the brawl. His admiration of Sonic only increased upon experiencing first-hand what Sonic has experienced, albeit at a less serious set of circumstances.
Still… Ash's words kept lingering in his head.
"Have you heard of team Aqua?" Sonic suddenly asked.
"Yes but I don't know much. They are pretty much environmental activists. The target of their activities is usually Socexp" Wally explained.
Sonic nodded.
"That's what their leader, Archie, told me" he said, more so to himself.
So that checked out.
"Hoennians are on their side for the most part because of some of Socexp projects that disregarded Pokemon but there have been times that they have done unhinged things".
"Unhinged as in?"
"Well… one of their members has been arrested for vandalizing one of Socexp's warehouses. I'll give him the benefit of sacrificing himself for his teammates. He held off the police until his fellow Aqua members escaped".
Sonic's eyes widened for a moment and his face was a mask of silent admiration. Whoever that guy was, that was a bold move.
"Well, they sure got their priorities settled".
Although Archie just gave off a weird vibe this news started changing Sonic's perspective of team Aqua. Maybe for once, Sonic wouldn't be constantly going against adversaries.
In any case, Archie made a vital point.
Sonic hopped up.
"What's wrong?"
"We need to train. Shadow was incredibly strong today. If I am to stand any chance against him, I need to get Combusken and aron to a good enough level to fight off his other Pokemon. Raichu can handle Salamence if there are no other distractions".
Wally agreed and joined in the training as well, bringing out Magikarp and Ralts.
An underlying desire had started forming in his heart.
He didn't know whether to believe Ash or not.
The only way to be sure was one.
Face him in battle when he was ready.
He knew he would know when that happened.