Chapter 22; dark future
The sun rose over Fuchsia city as Sonic and his team completed their training over at the beach south of the city. Everyone of them was feeling energetic. His first 4 pokemon were all ready to tackle the next gym. Pinsir on the other hand while having gotten acquainted with them still refused to obey Sonic. He had no worries about though. He knew it would take some time but he would tame it eventually.
After his defeat of Gary the previous evening, Sonic was in high spirits. That arcanine had proved to be a powerhouse. Especially the extreme speed move. Quick attack paled in comparison. Sonic and raichu had tried to replicate it but found themselves unable to. According to data about it online, very few pokemon could learn it. Recovering from it quickly they decided it was time and after a quick breakfast headed for the gym.
Taking a path outside the city, he encountered Ash who was trying and failing to catch a wild passing venonat.
"Well look who it is. Finally feeling ready to tackle the gym…"
"Don't you dare call me Spike" Sonic said before Ash could complete his phase.
"Alright alright. I won't. But I'd like to see your battle with him".
"Aren't you going to fight him?" Sonic asked him as they started heading to the gym.
"Already have" Ash said proudly revealing the soulbadge.
"Huh. You got it. How did you get him to hand it over?"
"Beat him of course".
"That's new" Sonic teased him.
"I earned my badge fair and square whether you believe it or not".
"I don't. You were handed 3 of the 5 badges you have so far. One out of sympathy".
"Whatever. When we battle I'll show you".
"Yeah sure. Like your friend Gary showed me?"
"You battled Gary?"
"I stomped him to the ground. Honestly like don't either of you train? Me and my pokemon train every day and very hard".
Ash was about to answer but his Pikachu ran up to them and climbed on his shoulder. It then glared at raichu who glared back, tempers flared once again. Brock and Misty were waiting for them at the gym.
"Sonic what a surprise" Brock said visibly pleased to see him "going to tackle koga?"
"If he's ready for me yes" Sonic said with confidence "what are you guys doing here though? Ash already earned his badge".
"Oh Koga wanted us to be here today. He said he felt a powerful aura in town and that he wanted us here to witness the battle he would have with that powerful aura today".
"Sensed an aura? I thought he was a ninja not a seer".
"We don't try to understand him much. Just go along when we can" Misty admitted "he's a bit of a special case".
The door of the dojo behind them opened and out stepped a man dressed in a ninja outfit, eyes closed.
"K-Koga" Misty said thinking he had heard her "I-I don't know how much of it you heard but I can explain".
Koga however merely opened his eyes and scanned them head to toe until his eyes met Sonic's.
"So the aura I felt was real".
"I assume you're Koga the gym leader?" Sonic asked him.
"Yes. You come for my badge I suppose?"
"Yes".
"Very well then. Step in".
Sonic was surprised at the speed things were unfolding but wasted no time.
Stepping into the dojo he was requested to remove his shoes. The challenger and the gym leader stepped into the arena.
"How many pokemon?" Sonic asked.
"3".
"Fine by me" Sonic said picking his first pokeball.
"Send out your pokemon in 3" the referee said "2. 1! Go!"
"Go Venomoth!"
"Go Alakazam!"
The 2 pokemon emerged and stood opposite each other ready to clash.
"An Alakazam. A wise pick for my gym. But let's see how well it deals with bugs! Stun spore!"
Venomoth released a wave of powder which headed for Alakazam.
"Psychic!" Sonic ordered knowing he had to get that Venomoth out of there before any of his other pokemon hit the field.
The stun spore connected but so did psychic. The power of Alakazam having been doubled since its battle with Erika as a Kadabra struck true, knocking out Venomoth with one strike. Everyone in the room was speechless. Koga recalled his Venomoth.
"I knew the aura I sensed was real. But you should have not gone for the aggressive play. Go golbat!"
Goldbat appeared and screeched greatly annoying Sonic who remembered being stalked in the caves he been in by zubats.
"Confuse ray!"
Golbat moved first due to Alakazam's lowered speed because of the paralysis. To make matters worse paralysis kept it from moving.
"Now bite!" Koga ordered.
Golbat attacked Alakazam. It tried to raise a reflect wall but was unable due to the confusion. The attack connected causing it to faint. To everyone's surprise however Sonic was calm.
"A mere setback" he said confidently "raichu you're up!"
"Rai!" raichu cried out entering the arena.
"Good choice" Koga said "but I can't let you have your way. Return golbat! Go Weezing!"
Weezing emerged opposing raichu.
"I can switch too you know. Raichu back. Blastoise you're up!"
Blastoise appeared with a huge thud.
"Fine by me. Weezing poison gas".
"Blastoise protect!"
Blastoise protected itself from the attack.
"Now use water pulse!"
Blastoise attacked Weezing with its water move, not causing a lot of damage due to its high defenses.
"Weezing sludge bomb!"
Weezing unleashed a barrage of sludge balls.
"Rapid spin!"
Blastoise span really fast deflecting the attack. One sludge ball however happened to enter its shell though the opening of the head, dealing damage and poisoning it.
"Damn" Sonic said "blastoise, Use ice beam!"
"Protect!"
"Protect?!"
Ice beam was blocked by protect.
"You're not the only one who can use a defensive move properly young challenger. I'm still waiting to fight the aura I sense in you".
Sonic clenched his fist in frustration.
In the meantime Ash Misty and Brock were observing with great interest.
"He has some powerful pokemon" Brock commented "fully evolved too".
"Nothing unexpected of him" Ash said "I wonder how much he pushed them to evolve".
Sonic heard that comment but refrained from answering. Ash had no idea why he had trained so hard.
"Blastoise change of plan. Use water pulse!"
"Counter with light screen!"
Light screen deflected a big chunk of the move lowering the damage greatly. Blastoise felt its energy being drained by the poisoned and growled in pain. Sonic felt doubt creep up on him.
"Think Sonic. There has to be a way, Unless… of course!" he thought as he remembered something from his fight with Mike.
"Blastoise ice beam!"
"Protect!"
Ice beam connected with protect but before it could evaporate Sonic took action.
"Water pulse!"
Water pulse struck the concentrated ice smashing it, penetrating the shield. It damaged weezing but not to fainting point.
"Weezing use sludge bomb!"
Weezing used its move. Blastoise having gotten exhausted was unable to use rapid spin to deflect it. The sludge balls struck it head on causing it to topple with another thud.
"Ha. Spike's going to lose!" Ash said in a teasing tone "and to think you said you would stomp Koga down".
Koga however turned to Ash.
"You shouldn't underestimate this young trainer. My senses are never wrong. He contains a powerful aura. And so does his raichu. Bring it out and show me that aura" he said referring to Sonic.
"Raichu" he said turning to it "it's all up to you".
"Rai" it cried out in determination as it jumped into the field ready to avenge its friends.
"Raichu quick attack!"
Raichu moved faster than Weezing could react and slammed against it hard. Weezing fell to the ground and Sonic pushed on.
"Thunder punch!"
Raichu using its already huge momentum landed the attack damaging Weezing further. For some reason however it stood there.
"Keep striking it until it faints!" Sonic said not wanting to see what it was up to.
Raichu struck it continuously. Koga however smiled.
"Right into my trap".
"What?"
"Explosion!"
Weezing's body started shining as if it was an exploding bomb.
"Raichu take cover!"
The explosion occurred. When the dust settled Koga who had not even flinched keeping his eyes closed was waiting to see what the move had accomplished. Ash Misty and Brock on the other hand had taken cover and saw Sonic had knelt down to take cover from the smoke.
"Good try Spike. But there's no way your raichu would survive that".
A small smile formed in Sonic's lips.
"Don't be so sure" he said as he was looking at something protruding from the ground barely visible due to the smoke.
Koga hearing this in surprise grabbed a rug from the ground and started creating waves of air to clear the smoke faster. After the smoke cleared they all raichu with its tail nailed to the ground having used it as cover from the explosion first to limit the damage and then as an anchor to not be thrown out of the arena.
"No way!" Brock said in shock "raichu is still standing".
"RAI!" Raichu let out a small roar of determination.
Koga could never have anticipated such an outcome. Recalling the fainted weezing he looked at Sonic.
"This powerful aura I feel. The bond between you and your raichu. It is unmistakable. But even so you haven't won yet. Golbat come on out!"
Golbat emerged again.
"You might have the type advantage but raichu is weakened now. Golbat use bite!"
Golbat dived fangs out.
"Iron tail!"
Raichu raised its tail in defense as golbat bit it. Raichu cried out in pain but stood strong.
"Thunder punch!"
Raichu punched golbat hard but not hard enough to faint it. It staggered trying to stay conscious.
"Don't disappoint me now! Golbat screech!"
Golbat released a powerful soundwave causing raichu to cover its ears. Sonic knew this was bad. If raichu couldn't hear him they were sitting ducks.
"Raichu!" he screamed but his voice couldn't penetrate the soundwave.
Raichu knelt as it felt it couldn't take the sound anymore. The sound stopped but raichu's ears still buzzed.
"Golbat end this! Leech life!"
"Jump!" Sonic screamed instinctively.
Raichu didn't hear anything but as if running on the same instinct jumped as golbat crashed on the ground. With everyone watching it closed its eyes to sense its trainer. Sonic saw it and deciding to bet everything on their bond ordered the final attack.
"Thunder punch!"
Raichu peeked its jump and started falling, eyes still closed and ears still buzzing. However just like before it instinctively charged up the thunder punch and landed it with devastating effects. The wooden floor cracked under power as golbat went down giving Sonic the win. Sonic not waiting to confirm his victory approached raichu worried. Ash was at a loss for words.
"How did they turn it around?" he said in surprise remembering how he had won in a similar way that seemed impossible against Koga's golbat with his charmander.
Koga recalled golbat with a smile on his face and approached Sonic.
"I was right. Your aura is no lie. I sensed it since you arrived at the city but now I can tell without a doubt. You too have unlimited potential".
"Thanks" Sonic said "I guess" he thought as he still couldn't wrap his mind around what Koga called sensing his aura. From his experience or at least the movies he had seen, ninja training didn't allow sensing auras but decided not to question it.
"You have beaten me fair and square. The soulbadge is yours as well" Koga said handing it to Sonic.
"Thank you".
After the battle Sonic and the trio of Ash Misty and Brock went to leave as Sonic was fully prepared to go heal his pokemon and then have the promised battle with Ash. However before he could go Koga called out to him again. Approaching him, Sonic saw him visibly shaken.
"Everything ok?"
"I went to meditating after you 4 exited the dojo. I sensed your aura leaving. But you two were different. You are covered in darkness".
"Huh?"
"The 6th gym leader, Sabrina and I have one thing in common. We can sense what is to come. She can see it with her psychic powers. I can sense it through people's aura with my training. I sense something ominous in your near future. You need to be very careful from now on".
"Um ok" Sonic said kind of spooked.
After that weird interaction the 4 travelers left to return to Fuchsia city, Koga's words echoing in Sonic's mind.
"Something ominous? What does he mean?" he thought.
Reaching Fuchsia city they went straight to the pokemon center. After Sonic healed his pokemon, he finally relented and was about to head off to the south beach with Ash and his friends so they would have their battle. Before they exited the city however he got a phone call. Not registered number.
"What the? Is it Amy again?" he wondered as he answered "hello?"
"Sonic! Can you hear me?!"
"Reina?!"
"We need your help" static was heard after this "Mr Fuji" more static "help!" was help as the line cut off.
"Reina?! Reina!" Sonic screamed at the phone in terror.
"What's wrong?" Brock asked him concerned.
"My friend Reina! She needs help! I got to get to Celadon fast!"
"But what about our battle?!" Ash said in frustration.
"Another time I got to go!" Sonic said slightly annoyed by Ash's lack of empathy though under normal circumstances it would require a little context to understand the rush. But giving context required time that Sonic didn't have.
Racing back to town he knew the fastest way to Celadon was the cycling road to the west of the city. Problem was it required a bike which Sonic didn't have. At that moment however he saw someone coming out of a shop and riding a 2-seat bike. Sonic rushed to him.
"Sorry for the inconvenience but I need a ride!" Sonic hurriedly slightly scaring the boy who had the bike.
"W-What?"
"I need a ride to Celadon city fast".
"Celadon? But it's very far even with through the cycling road".
"I know but I need to get there now. It's a matter of utmost importance!"
The boy looked at who he saw as a raving lunatic in shock but relented.
"Fine but only because I was planning to go to Celadon's mega mart this week might as well go now. Hop on. And pedal hard. No freeloading".
Sonic hopped on the 2nd seat of the bike and after 5 minutes they had hit the cycling road. Passing by other cyclists like a blur, Sonic felt his feel melting from the force he was putting into it but knew time was against him.
Reaching Celadon in mere minutes, Sonic thanked the boy and run off before hearing his response. Racing to Reina's house he knocked on the door frantically until her mother opened the door.
"Sonic? What a pleasant surprise".
"Where is Reina?!" he asked frantically.
"A-At mr Fuji's place. Is everything ok?"
Sonic said a quick ok and sprinted off before even saying he would let her know if everything was ok. Reaching mr Fuji's house in exhaustion and slightly coughing, he went to the backyard and saw Reina and mr Fuji helping a pokemon learn a move. Reina turned her head and saw him.
"Sonic?" she said as he face lit with joy. As she approached him however she saw his worried face.
"What happened? Are you ok?"
Sonic dropped to his knees and coughed his soul out before getting back up and drinking some water mr Fuji brought him who looked worried.
"If I'm ok? I should be asking that after the call for help".
"Call for help?"
"Yeah! You called me almost half an hour ago asking for help!"
"Me? But I didn't call you".
"What?!"
"Here look" she said showing him her phone. Sonic looked and was hit with a ton of questions. Her last call was to her mom 2 hours ago.
"But… this doesn't make any sense. I got a call. With your voice. Asking for help".
"What was the number that called you?" mr fuji asked him.
Sonic showed them the number of the call. Reina read it carefully.
"That's not my number" she said showing him her number from her phone.
Sonic's eyes widened in shock.
"WHAT?! But… if you didn't call me… who did? And how was their voice… yours?!"
"Sonic" mr Fuji said putting his hand on Sonic's shoulder "take a deep breath. You're in shock. Sit down and relax and think it through carefully".
Sonic nodded trying to calm down.
"Ok" he said sitting down around a table that was in mr Fuji's backyard "since I'm here" he said remembering something "could you teach this no longer little fellow earthquake?" he said sending out nidoking. Reina and mr Fuji were in awe as it sparkled.
"Right away" mr Fuji said as he got to work.
Reina in the meantime sat next to Sonic who was trying to calm down and contemplate what had happened.
"It's ok" she said calmly "it's over now".
"Maybe but this is a serious incident. Who would call me and pretend to be you? And why?"
"Maybe a prankster?"
"Who pretended to be you? No something darker is behind this. And I aim to find out what".
His phone rang again. Different number. Still unknown number. With Reina watching Sonic picked up.
"Hello?"
"Sonic!" a voice was heard again.
"Who is this?!" he asked in anger.
"Sonic" static was heard again "Sonic it's Mike! I need help! The rockets bzzt… the rockets! Lav bzzt.. tower!"
"Mike? Mike?!" Sonic screamed at his phone but the line was cut.
"What the hell is going on?!" he yelled in panic. Reina tried to calm him down.
"Sonic calm down please".
"Someone is calling me and pretending to be people I know! That worked with you because we have not exchanged numbers. But Mike and I have exchanged numbers. So what the hell is happening?!" he screamed in confusion and anger.
Reina unexpectedly rushed in and hugged him, stopping him in his tracks. Her embrace helped his heartbeat calm down. As she let go blushing Sonic came up with an idea. Picking up his cell phone he decided to verify once and for all what was happening.
Before he could make a call however he received a third call. This time from Mike. Answering he was met with a panicked voice.
"Sonic! Team rocket is attacking silph co! They took over Saffron city!"
"What?!"
"Your raid on their base pushed their plans forward not backward! Whatever they intend to achieve they're doing it now! We need to stop them!"
"You bet we will. Get to silph co! We'll fight through them and meet you there!"
"Don't be crazy. There is a better way".
"What way?"
"Meet me at the meeting point of the tunnels under the city as soon as possible. And I mean it! We're racing the clock!"
"On my way!" Sonic answered and hang up just as Nidoking was done picking up the earthquake.
"Listen closely" Sonic said to the both of them "team rocket took over saffron. I'm going in with my friend Mike to stop them".
"Are you insane?!" Reina asked him in shock "you're going to attack the entirety of team rocket on your own?!"
"I won't be on my own" Sonic explained "Mike will be with me".
"The young man who came by earlier this week and told me you suggested me as a tutor?"
"Yes" Sonic said impatiently as he wanted to rush off "tell the police about the situation. The boss of team rocket will definitely be a part of the attack. He needs to be caught this time. I and Mike can slow him down until the police arrives. Tell them immediately!" Sonic said and rushed off but Reina caught up.
"I won't let you do this!" she said in determination and a hint of fear.
"Reina get out of my way this is bigger than you think!"
"Please just go with the police".
"I can't. I have unfinished business with Giovanni. And so does Mike" he said as he took her by the shoulders "I'm going to be ok. I promise you".
Reina looked at him worried but nodded. Before he could move however she grabbed him by the cheeks and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
"For luck" she said blushing.
Sonic was caught off guard by that but nodded and rushed off towards the tunnels raichu by his side and the rest of his pokemon in their pokeballs ready for the storm ahead.