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Episode 12

Episode 12: To the Center!

xxxxxx

"So, you eluded my men," the Rocket stated narrowing his eyes. For a man who had been tied up and beaten down by his enemies he was rather calm. Ash frowned. What could make him so calm?

"Yeah, sure, somethin' like that," Janine responded as she and Saur, who looked like he'd been mauled by an Ursaring, strode to them.

"Did they at least put a fight?" the man asked with a sigh.

"Nope," the girl answered with a casual shrug. "How're you guys doing?" she asked, turning to Ash and Gary.

"What about you? Do you need any potions?" Gary inquired as he sprayed the healing substance on Aria. The Magmar whined and crossed her arms over her chest petulantly.

"We're good, I used a super potion on them," Janine responded glancing at her team. "Saur, put him to sleep!"

"You'll pay dearly for doing this!" the Rocket snapped as the Ivysaur sauntered toward him. Saur gave him an unimpressed look and lowered himself. "My brothers will make you pay-" the man's threat was brought to an end when the green powder enveloped him. Ash stared at the man as he fought to stay conscious. Then, he shrugged, putting a man to sleep wasn't such a terrible thing to do.

Wedge is looking weird. The magnet hadn't even made a sound since the battle had ended. The magnet was definitely beaten up, all of the Pokemon were, but he could still float and follow Gary. Still, if Gary's Eevee and Diglett were in better condition, Ash believed the electric-type would be in its ball. The Pokemon Center is several miles away and we already have so many injured.

Ash blinked when a small amount electricity started to pour become visible around Wedge. Slowly, the electricity began to build until it looked to be using a Spark attack. Ash's eyes widened and he took a step back when the flare only grew. Wedge screeched and the electricity consumed its form completely. He heard Bulbasaur squeak, King shriek, and Aria hoot in alarm.

After several moments, Wedge's screeches began to become quieter and the electricity faded. Wedge now resembled three Magnemite bolted together with silver screws. "Magneton," Gary whispered, taking a hesitant step toward the magnet. The gray-eyed boy extended his hand slowly. Wedge leaned into his touch and buzzed happily.

Magnemite that are preparing to evolve have been known to be pulled toward strong electric-types. Wedge must have been pulled to Electabuzz. Ash glanced at King. The crab's nubs had grown enough to be considered a small crown, and his right pincer was nearly as big as one of Ash's hands. It won't be much longer now. He frowned as he watched Gary hug Wedge. Aria counters Gore easily. Gore counters Wedge. Wedge counters King, who counters Aria. Diglett has an advantage over Vulpix and Houndour but is weak to Bulbasaur and King. There were too many variables to be sure of who was stronger.

"We should get out of here," Janine spoke up with a pensive look on her face. "The Rockets' electric-types will notice Wedge's evolving."

"Yeah," Gary agreed with a smile that split his face.

xxxxx

"John comes back without his Kingler and Donphan, apparently having been bested by a few rookies. And now you're telling me my stupid little brother has been defeated by these same children, and had his Hitmonchan killed?" Proton inquired his dark eyes sharper than knives.

"Ye-Yessir," Meowth stammered. James found he couldn't blame him. Executive Proton was known as the most brutal man in Team Rocket for a reason.

"What could they be after?" Proton wondered aloud drumming his fingers on his chair. "They must know they can't defeat us, so they're headed to the Pokemon Center," he decided after a moment. The executive scowled, making James and his team flinch. "They're probably nearly there, if they aren't already, if they get to that Houndoom and get him healed…." Proton's mutter trailed off.

Jessie and James paled and shuddered at the thought of facing that demon again. They had been careful to drug the members of the Houndoom's pack, if the pack was there his power was limited, they had figured. Even with this disadvantage, the executive had been forced to step in to stop the fire-type's rampage. Why didn't the boss just kill it? Is he going to try and tame this one too?

"Here's what we'll do," Proton spoke after several moments of silence. "You idiots are going to take John and as many grunts as you need to take back the center!"

"Take it back?" Meowth whispered, giving James a confused look.

"Yes take it back!" Proton snapped, making the trio jump. "If Luke couldn't handle them, then those grunts don't stand a chance!" the green-haired man sighed and rubbed his temples. "I'll stay here and guard my brother," he added as he sank into a chair. "What are you still here for? You have a job to do!" Proton snarled when they looked between one another uncertainly.

"Ye-Yessir!"

xxxxxxx

"They don't have any Zubat," Janine whispered when Crowie squeaked into her ear.

"Good, we should be able to slip by them then," Ash uttered with a smirk.

"Are you sure we shouldn't search for Mr. Fuji some more before we take them on?" Gary said, glancing at the Rockets standing guard in front of the center. Ash tugged on his hat. Mr. Fuji and his team would doubtlessly be able to handle the situation better than they could. But taking the time to find the man may cost them the element of surprise.

"Nah, I figure he's in there," Janine said. "Think about it, the Rockets probably have a ton of injured Pokemon from the fight with the town, they'd need as many skilled people as they can to tend them," she added when they looked confused.

"Even Lavender wouldn't go quietly," Ash muttered as he patted Bulbasaur's side. He gave a small smile when she cooed quietly.

"What I'm worried about, is whether or not they got rid of the phones," the kunoichi murmured.

"They wouldn't," Ash said, shaking his head. "If something goes wrong they need to be able to call for backup," he elaborated rising to his feet. "We can't waste any more time, let's take them now," the trainer said, releasing King, Vulpix, and Gore.

"Right," Janine said with a nod. She released Hopper, who yawned and waved to them. The Kangaskhan was looking far better than it had earlier. She was almost at a hundred percent, Ash guessed. Janine shot off to his right making Hopper squeak as she hopped after the girl.

"You know, you're not the boss of us," Gary muttered rolling his eyes. Still the boy took off to the left with Diglett and Wedge on his heels.

"There are five of 'em on this side, and they're sitting in a way that means we can't sneak attack," Ash announced as he stared at his team. Gore and King snorted and gargled excitedly. Their trainer's lips twitched. Vulpix snorted and returned to cleaning her paws. Bulbasaur, as he expected, looked a bit nervous, but warbled nonetheless. "You guys see the Spearow flock and the Fearow?" he asked as he pointed at the birds. "King, Vulpix, you two will get them out of the sky, and Bulbasaur, you'll use your Sleep Powder on them the moment they get low enough." Gore whined and shuffled.

"I'm getting to you," Ash muttered, rolling his eyes. "I want you to make a small Ice Shard and hit one of its wings, then you'll blast him with everything you've got," he said, meeting his partner's brown eyes with his own. Gore snorted and tilted his head to the side. "Just trust me and use a small one!" The Piloswine narrowed his eyes at the tone but grunted his assent. "Don't hold back at all, we can't afford to fight those Rockets with the Spearow helping them," he added.

Fearow was a large, brown bird Pokemon that measured at about four feet tall and eighty pounds heavy. Its main weapon was its six inch long beak and it was well known for possessing impressive stamina. The violent bird had fought for dominion of the skies with Pidgeot for millennia. He smirked, when Gore's small shard of ice crashed into the bird's wing. And now, it's out of the way. Fearow squawked and shrieked as it spiraled to the earth. A blast of chilly wind engulfed the flailing bird's injured wing and froze it. Fearow hit the ground with a shriek that made Ash wince. A brown and white blur slammed into the prone flying-type launching it several feet through the air. Gore grunted, satisfied, when the bird didn't move again. The Spearow shrieked angrily, and a bit fearfully, at their alpha's swift defeat.

"Where the hell did that come from?" a Rocket, a woman with black hair, demanded leaping to her feet.

"Doesn't matter! We're gonna find what did it and take it down!" another Rocket, a giant man with a mohawk, barked.

"He's mine!" Ash declared after stepping out of the alley. The Rockets snapped their attention to him with snarls. The Spearow flipped to him as well with cries of rage. Ash grinned mockingly. Then, purple balls of fire, concentrated streams of water, and a green orb shot into the flock.

Seven of the twenty birds fell with shrieks of pain. The flock shrieked and began to fly apart in their panic. "Finish them!" Ash barked. This time, Gore joined in the group's efforts and shot small chunks of ice at the distressed birds. Ash nodded approvingly. Good, he finally figured it out! He furrowed his brow. Or he just wants to attack as many as he can. Within moments the flock, lay helpless on the ground. Bulbasaur warbled and shot a large burst of Sleep Powder onto them.

"Enough!" the Rocket woman snapped releasing her Pokemon. She released a Raticate, a Houndour, and an Ekans. The criminal with the mohawk released a Drowzee, a Sneasel, and a Graveler. The three remaining Rockets released two Ekans, another Drowzee, two Rattata, a Raticate, and a Voltorb. Ash's eyes narrowed when he heard Aria hoot and Saur roar. The others have started fighting then.

"Watch out for each other!" Ash shouted as his Pokemon charged their opponents. Gore and King shot bursts of chilly wind at the group with battle cries. Graveler grunted and tore a chunk of earth to shield the criminals' Pokemon. Vulpix barked haughtily and shot an Ember enhanced with Will-O-Wisp. The flame darted around the boulder as though it breathed. Ash twitched when he heard the Sneasel squeal. The boy scowled when his other Pokemon darted behind the boulder as well. He ran to a tree a few yards to their right.

The Rockets barked and shouted orders at their Pokemon at such a speed that Ash could barely distinguish them. He shook his head. He'd know when he saw the beasts fight anyway. To little surprise, King had already left both Rattata broken and whimpering on the floor. The crab Pokemon shot a burst of chilly wind in one of the Ekans eyes and moved to snip it. Another Ekans shot several poisonous needles at the crab's back. "Harden!" Ash snapped his eyes wide.

Near instantly, the crab was consumed by a white sheen that deflected the needles with ease. King flipped toward the snake with a vengeful gleam shining in his dark eyes. The Krabby shot three Water Guns into the snake, drawing a hiss from the poison-type before it fell. The other Ekans sprang up and bit into the crab's shell with its impressive fangs. King hissed, more irritated than pained, and grabbed it with his right pincer. The Krabby tossed it with a flick of his wrist and shot a spray of forceful bubbles at it. The small snake was unconscious before it hit the ground. Ash blinked at the display. I didn't know he was that strong! Then again, he did stop a Nidorino's charge. "Go take out the Houndour!" the trainer ordered.

Bulbasaur blasted an Energy Ball at the Sneasel that sent it tumbling back. Then she leaped away from two telekinetic waves. The Drowzee stood several feet away from the saurian with their clawed hands extended. One of the Drowzee a female, he believed, was a few inches taller and was growing a small, white mane. Ash crossed his arms over his chest. It's getting ready for evolution, then. "Don't look into its eyes, no matter what!"

Two small, purple orbs of flame soared at the Drowzee from behind them. The psychics shuddered and hurriedly created pink walls. The female's held, the male's shattered. The male Drowzee screamed as the ghostly flame hit him. A small seed landed on his head and sprouted vines. The male fell and whimpered as its energy was sapped from it. Vulpix raced around the female's shield with a Scratch and Quick Attack combo.

The female Drowzee was ready. It struck the vixen with a glowing fist and sent her tumbling away. Bulbasaur shot a glob poison that was quickly blocked by a barrier. Drowzee extended her hand at Vulpix, then thrust its arm forward. The fire-type yipped in alarm as she was tossed off her feet by Confusion's second application. The vixen skidded to a stop next to Bulbasaur who nudged her to her feet gently. The vixen shook her head rapidly after she rose. Ash scowled. The ability to sense an opponent's presence is more dangerous than I thought it'd be. Houndour could break her shield easily, but I can't trust him yet. We can't overpower it, so what's our move? "Drowzee, Psybeam!" the Rocket woman ordered making him flinch.

His girls avoided the attack with ease, but Drowzee sent another psychic beam at them before they could retaliate. "Split up!" Ash shouted, flipping his hat to block his eyes from the sun. He received a bark and a yip as they followed his command. Vulpix charged the psychic from her left with a Scratch and Quick Attack combination, he really needed to think of a name for that. Bulbasaur charged it from its right with her vines extended. Drowzee snorted apathetically and extended both of its arms at its opponents. Two pink walls formed inches from its claws. Gotcha! "Use your vines to jump! Vulpix, turn off Quick Attack!" Ash commanded with a grin.

"Pound!" the Rocket countered. Bulbasaur slapped the ground with her vines and propelled herself over the wall. Drowzee's right claw clenched as it was covered in a white glow. The saurian wrapped her vines around the psychic's claw, making her snort in alarm, and shot a spray of poison at her. Drowzee flailed and shrieked as the poison ate away at her hide. Her barrier faded away with its master's distraction. Vulpix barked triumphantly as she shot a purple Ember into its back. Then the psychic's eyes rolled back and she fell. Bulbasaur pushed off her with her vines. Ash grinned proudly. He glanced away from them when he heard King chirp loudly. The Krabby had been surrounded by the Voltorb and the two Raticate. "You did great! Now, go help King!" They barked their understanding and raced to the crab's aid.

Finally Ash turned to his partner's battle. He noticed another Ekans lay motionless on the ground several yards away from the boar. Good, then just those four left. Gore roared as he surged at the Graveler with his Take Down. Graveler snarled, then it wrenched a chunk of earth from the ground and threw it into the boar's side. The Piloswine squealed in pain as he was knocked onto his side by the rock.

Graveler ran a few steps, then it rolled at the swine. "Mud Shot in its path!" the trainer commanded. Gore chuffed and shot a stream of mud in front of the rolling rock. One of the Rockets shouted for Graveler to dodge, but it was too late. The rock-type swerved away from the boar with a shocked hiss. The Graveler continued rolling until, it slammed into one of its boulders. Gore shot to his feet and fired a blast of chilly wind into its back. The ground-type shrieked and tried to shield itself with its arms as its body temperature was lowered dangerously. The swine continued to blast Graveler until it stopped moving. "Good job! Now go help-" Ash blinked. The rest of his team was staring at him from the Pokemon Center's white steps. "Well, okay then, never mind," he said as he strode to them.

Ash pouted a bit, when he saw that Bulbasaur had already put all the Rockets to asleep as well. Guess there's nothing left for me to do…. Janine strode through the center's door with a grin. "We found Hellfang and Mr. Fuji!" she declared her chest puffing out proudly.

"Okay, then I'll help deal with-"

"And we cleared out all the Rockets!" the kunoichi interrupted him with a chirp.

"Oh, alright then," he muttered as Gore whined.

xxxxxx

"Team Rocket has taken over Lavender," Sabrina repeated shutting her eyes. Janine's eyebrow twitched. Even now, the young woman's eternal calm was unshaken. "Tell, me is there a man named Fuji there?" the Gym Leader inquired opening her eyes.

"Mr. Fuji is here, yeah," Janine replied in a dry tone. Couldn't she at least pretend to be a little worried?

"Mr. Fuji… Was once one of the strongest Ace Trainers in the region and was the leading candidate to be the Gym Leader of Lavender," Sabrina explained procuring a Pokeball. The woman released an Alakazam in a scarlet light. She whispered something to the Alakazam, who nodded and teleported away. "Stay with him and you will be safe."

"That's just it, most of his team is hurt," the kunoichi said with a wince. Mr. Fuji was an elderly man who looked to be in his late sixties or early seventies. Unfortunately, he had taken a nasty bite from a Houndour when the Rockets first attacked and was now walking with a crutch. He only had three members of his team left - not counting the Cubone and the Ghastly - and she doubted they would obey anyone else after nearly six decades. The female Marowak and her father definitely wouldn't. The only team member that had been willing to help was the Crobat. As long as Mr. Fuji's leg was hurt, they were restricted to the Pokemon Center.

"That is an issue," Sabrina drawled her eyes narrowing slightly. "The nearest Gyms are in Gringey city and Dark town," she mumbled steepling her fingers. Janine stroked Crowie's ears lightly. Sabrina could be a bit odd, but she was the leader one of the Eight for good reason. The psychic was among the most powerful trainers in the entire region. She'd know what to do. She bit her lip. I hope she does anyway. "Stay where you are. I will bring Erika to you," the psychic told her as she rose to her feet.

"Wha- but I thought you couldn't Teleport anywhere near here!" Janine said with a furrowed brow.

"My team are far from ordinary psychics," Sabrina declared with a small smile. The kunoichi felt her shoulders relax and her heart lighten. "We will be there as soon as we can," the Gym Leader promised before turning off the video phone.

"She's going to Teleport here?" Janine jumped and Crowie squeaked. When did he get there? "Well, is she?" Gary asked again giving her an annoyed look.

"Ye-Yeah," the girl answered with a small nod. Auntie's gonna kill me if she finds out someone snuck up on me…...

"You said that was impossible," the boy said narrowing his eyes.

"I thought it was!" the kunoichi snapped back with her hands on her hips. Crowie squeaked and puffed her chest out in a manner that was meant to be threatening. Janine repressed the urge to coo with great difficulty.

"Whatever, the dog woke up," Gary muttered. The boy gave her another dark look, then he strode from the room. Janine winced when he slammed the door. All of this over a Sandwich? A good sandwich, but still.

xxxxxx

Hellfang was the partner of Karen, arguably the most powerful woman since Champion Lyra herself. He was without a doubt the mightiest Houndoom that had ever, and likely would ever, walk the earth. Ash raised a brow as the great dog began to pant happily when Janine scratched him behind his horns. "Still a dog I guess," he mumbled.

"You're such a good boy! Yes, you are!" the kunoichi purred wrapping her arms around the Pokemon's thick neck. Hellfang crooned happily and licked her cheek with enthusiasm.

"Careful now, he's been through quite a bit," Nurse Joy admonished in a gentle tone. Ash narrowed his eyes. The dog's chest didn't fully expand when he breathed and there were several small cuts along his form. Nothing permanent he was sure, but the dog wouldn't be at his best if it came to a fight.

"They'll be here soon, you know," Mr. Fuji spoke reclining in his chair. The Marowak female took the man's crutch and nuzzled his hand. "Thank you Beryl," the old man grunted with a small smile.

"What do we do then?" Gary asked, shutting his eyes tightly. Ash averted his eyes. For all their differences, he hadn't ever wanted to see the other boy so defeated. Well, unless he was responsible for it.

"Hellfang being put in the full restore is our only chance," the old man said, giving the nurse a significant look. The nurse's lips pursed. "It was nearly destroyed earlier, I know, but I doubt I am a threat to Proton alone, as I am, and Archer is stronger than his brother, Hellfang is our only hope," Mr. Fuji continued raising a hand. Nurse Joy glared at the ground, then she turned and strode from the room. Ash winced as the door slammed. He could understand the nurse's reluctance. The full restoration machine used by ordinary centers paled in comparison to the League's. If it was truly damaged, then it may only make Hellfang worse.

"What about Sabrina? She said she'd get Erika," Ash pointed out crossing his arms over his chest.

"There's a limit to Teleport. Even for little Sabrina teleporting here will take a great deal of preparation," Mr. Fuji explained patting the male Marowak's muscular arm.

"What about the town's other trainers? " Janine piped up with a hopeful look that Ash suspected would be smashed. He sighed when Mr. Fuji's lined face became graver.

"The channelers disappeared the day of the attack," he told them with a sigh. Janine's hopeful expression disappeared with such speed Ash nearly doubted it was ever there. He leaned back on the wall and closed his eyes. "Even Abira couldn't locate them with her Supersonic," the old man added rubbing his temples.

"Archer, huh," Ash mumbled. If the man could fight Master Surge six years ago and he spent his time going after rare Pokemon... He shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed loudly. Surge was in his thirties now, which meant he could have been weaker during the war. It wasn't likely, though. Most trainers hit their prime near twenty, with Dragon Trainers sometimes taking longer. Which meant Archer had fought evenly with a Pokemon Master. Ash blinked when his hand brushed something circular. "The TMs," he whispered, pulling them out.

Mega Drain and Reflect. Moves that he could teach Bulbasaur and Vulpix, but would take a month to master. With the aid of a TM that time would be cut into a mere week. "Imma be right back!" Ash promised before running out of the door.

xxxxx

"A Crobat? It's that stupid old man again!" Jessie snarled clenching her fists.

"Shh," James urged holding a finger to his lips. The blue-haired man shared his companion's frustration. After the hell that was taking on Karen's Houndoom they'd been looking forward to an easy battle with Lavender. A grin grew on his lips. The Pokemon were so weak that most of them nearly fainted when they released the Nidoking their boss had given them. The grin fell into a scowl. It had been effortless, until that old man and the brat's Magmar had stepped in. The old Crobat alone had killed an entire flock of Zubat, hurt Golia's wing to the point she couldn't fly, and nearly killed John's Golbat.

"She's too powerful to take out without those brats hearing it," John growled glaring at the poison-type balefully. James half-expected the bat to catch flame from the intensity of the glare.

"Be quiet!" Meowth snapped quietly when the grunts began to whisper doubts themselves. "Listen up idiots, cuz this is what we're gonna do," the white feline whispered baring his canines in a vicious grin.

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Thank you for all your support!

I hoped to have this out on Halloween. Would have been the first time I produced three chapters in a month. I suppose I can try again this month.

Gore vs Graveler was fun for me - in spite of its brevity. The winner between Pokemon that are nearly equals is decided by their trainer and I think it showed that.

My favorite fight has to be Vulpix and Bulbasaur vs Drowzee for this chapter. It surprised even me when she went to help Bulbasaur out. Still pretty evil though.

Seriously, she could easily be a villain, and be happy with it too.