William enters the cave with Litwick on his shoulder and he looks around for a moment.
"So what are we thinking? Get a ghastly or maybe an onix? I'm not a fan of rock types but they're good tanks." William asks his partner.
Litwick shrugs and William chuckles before he hears a roar. He looks around before hearing the roar again. Wait. That's not a roar of challenge like in a fight. That's a roar of pain! William drops low and bolts forward with Litwick barely holding on. The tunnels zip past as William sprints and he narrowly avoids the rocks in his path as he charges towards the source of the roar. A light up ahead causes William to spin and lean forward so he is sliding backwards. He quickly slides to a stop and twists to jog forward. Litwick is set down as the large man peaks around the corner to see the light.
Multiple people in white uniforms with large red R's walk in the cavern below him. Metal cages are stuffed with the forms of battered pokemon as whips crack in the air to force great serpents of stone to dig the cave larger. The onix below in pain and their horns are missing as the large rocky protrusions are stacked in carts that are pushed down a tunnel. The camp is divided into three parts. One is just cages. Another is a training area where wild pokemon stream out of a tunnel to be quickly attacked and defeated by the pokemon of the people waiting for them. The final part is tents and at the center of the cluster of fabric structures is a metallic cube with a door on one side. A building. What's it for though?
William pulls his head back and crouches as he thinks. Alright. How does he do this? He's only got a litwick and it's not nearly strong enough to take on every single person in that cavern. The wild pokemon are being used for two purposes. They are being used for training for the pokemon of the people in there and then are most likely either sold or given to other members of that group. The onix are being forced to dig the cavern larger so this is most likely a forward base of some kind. The horns are being taken off though. Why? As far as he knows there aren't any uses for them. They aren't made out of rare gems or something like that. Maybe it's a control tactic? William has read about some onix going into depression after losing their horns in battle. Keep them sad, keep them controlled? William shakes his head. He can worry about why the horns are being removed later. First he needs to figure out what to do.
A soft growl catches his attention. William looks over to see an onix slithering towards him. It doesn't seem to be aggressive but as it passes him and pokes its head into the cavern. William grabs a segment of its body and heaves. The serpent of stone stops and turns to face the young man.
"I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess you wanna help your friends." William tells the onix.
It nods and William gestures for it to follow him. The group retreats farther into the tunnels and William turns to face the large pokemon.
"Alright. You wanna help your friends. I get that. If my friends were being tortured then id probably rush the people doing it and say fuck the conseuences. That's a bad idea though. If you just charge them then you're only giving them more power to work with. We need to be smart." William says this before falling into his crouch again.
Alright. He has an onix. What does he know? They're big and tough and when motivated they wont stop til death or victory. Those other onix are obeying the group though. Why? William has seen them on tv. Nothing stops those guys. How are these people not only controlling them, but also making them work despite obvious exhaustion and pain? Rock types are stubborn and if they don't want to do something then you'd have better luck making an actual rock obey you. Wait.
William creeps forward and peeks into the cavern. All of the pokemon being used by the group are wearing some kind of headset or earmuff. He looks back and sees the onix wincing every now and then. Sound. The group is producing a sound that is inaudible to humans but perceivable to pokemon. Alright. Where's the sound coming from? William looks around before his eyes fall on the metallic building. It can't be that simple. It's the most obvious place. Well. William muses that if these guys are dumb enough to abuse a powerhouse like onix then they're probably dumb enough to make the predictable choice in what they house their control device in.
Alright. We know what to destroy. How do we get there? William ponders. Wait. onix are tunnelers. William turns to face the onix and smirks. This could work.
"I need a favor." William says to the pokemon.
/
Twenty minutes later and William is walking behind the onix as it tunnels under the encampment. As the beast digs, William goes over his plan. The onix will dig us under the building and then rise from below to destroy it. Afterwards the other onix will hopefully fight back and destroy the camp. William will try to free the other pokemon and then figure out what to do from there. The onix stops and grunts. Guess they've arrived.
"Okay. you need to destroy that building. It's probably gonna hurt alot but if you can power through. Youll free your friends. Try to get them to rampage and destroy the camp." William tells the great beast.
Onix grunts again and with shocking speed for a pokemon of its size, digs upwards. A few seconds pass before light shines from the top of the tunnel and the sound of crunching metal follows the illumination. William climbs out of the tunnel and looks around. People are running around as onix tears apart the camp. Tents are crushed and people are sent flying as the pokemon fight back. Good. William rushes to the cages and sets down litwick.
The candle pokemon flares its flame and melts the lock on a cage. The door opens and Zubat swarm out to attack a nearby man. The next cage is opened and geodude barrel out to pummel anyone in their way. The rocks with arms are quite, let's say enthusiastic, in their efforts to exact revenge. The pair moves onto another cage before a whip lashes out and sends litwick tumbling. William looks over to see a woman holding the whip and she has a purple snake next to her. Ekans hisses as it rattles its tail.
"Keep freeing the others! I'll buy you time!" William shouts as he rushes the woman.
The woman lashes out with her whip and William lunges to the side before resuming his charge. The ekans hisses and lunges for William as he gets close. The dark haired man drops to his knees and slides under the attack before resuming his run. The woman raises her whip but William slams into her before she can attack. They slam into the ground with a sick crack and the woman's arm is snapped like a twig. William slams a fist into her temple as she screams and she is knocked out. The ekans hisses and charges William before five of its brethren surround it. The other snakes literally tear apart the first ekans before turning to face william.
"Whoa guys. I'm on your side." William says with his hands held out in front of him, palms facing them.
The ekans hiss for a moment before turning and heading off to join in the battles. William turns to look around and sees that Litwick has melted the locks of all the cages before it staggers back to him. Little guy is tired. William returns the tired candle before pocketing the pokeball. Damm. guess he's outta the fight. A familiar face dashes that thought. Onix has returned and it roars before lowering its head. William climbs on and holds its horn as the towering snake rises back up. The pair look around for a moment before they spot a person wheeling out a large device. He is wearing thick earmuffs and is barking orders to the group of people around him. They're trying to set up another device!
William urges the onix forward and they race towards the group. A few other pokemon join the charge. A graveler rolls forward and slams into the group, sending them tumbling as geodude rush to pummel them as well. Judging from the blood on the fists of those geodude, they are the same ones that william released and are still upset at their confinement. Onix races past the people and spins to slam its tail into the device. Sparks leap and shards of metal fly everywhere as the man with the earmuffs dives away from the destroyed device. He stands and rips off his earmuffs before glaring at William who is still standing atop onix.
The man has thick glasses and a large lab coat that nearly hits the ground. His mouth is obscured by a large mustache that does little to hide the furious snarl splitting his lips. The man looks ready to shout but the sound of sirens stops him. He looks at the far tunnel and William does the same. Cops are charging in and calming the wild pokemon as they arrest anyone that survived the rebellion. William looks back to see the man has escaped. Damm.
The onix makes its way to the police and a familiar face makes her way to the front of the group. Onix lets William down and he pats its head as the police woman reaches him.
"You know. When I told you about this cave. I didn't know about the team Rocket operation going on here." she tells him.
"Wait. Team Rocket? Those gangsters that are trying to take over the world? Did I just become a vigilante? I swear that wasn't my intent. I just wanted to free the onix that was getting abused." William replies.
"Technically yes. You did take the law into your own hands after all. However, you did it to help pokemon so we can look the other way. This time. Don't make it a habit. By the way, My name is jenny." Jenny introduces herself after relieving William's worries.
"Jenny! What's that civilian doing here? Get him out of here and help us figure out how Team Rocket was controlling these onix." a man snaps.
"Actually sir. They were using sound." William chimes in before Jenny can talk.
"Sound? How did you figure that out?" the man asks as he approaches the trio, onix counts as a member.
"They had their pokemon wearing earmuffs and when onix got close it acted like it was in pain." William explains.
The man looks around for a moment before he agrees with william. A pair of officers come to take William to a safe spot so they can get his statement. After an hour he is thanked for his time and exits the tent they were using. The onix is curled up in front of the tent.
"He wouldn't leave. I think you have a new partner." Jenny explains after noticing William's confused look.
"Really? Wanna join me buddy?" William says before asking the onix.
It rumbles in agreement and William holds out a pokeball. The onix gently presses the button with his nose and is sucked into the ball. After a few moments the ball chimes its success in capturing the pokemon and william smirks before pocketing the ball. He waves goodbye to Jenny as he walks away. After he reaches the edge of the cave he lets Litwick out and it clambers onto his shoulder to light the way. They exit the cave and William lets out onix.
"Alright buddy. Wanna gimme a lift? I'm heading to the nearby city." William says to the onix.
It roars happily and William climbs on before they are off.
/
Three hours later they reached Viridian city. William climbs off onix and returns it to the ball before entering the city. Litwick looks around in awe at the large city and William chuckles. He walks around for a moment before someone gives him directions to the pokecenter. The door chimes as he enters and William walks up to the front desk.
"Hello! Welcome to Viridian city pokecenter! How can I help?" a pink haired woman greets william. She is just radiating joy.
"Could you heal my pokemon? We were just in a major fight and they could use their attention." william requests.
"We sure can! Would you like us to take a look at your leg too?" the woman replies.
William looks down and sees that his right pant leg is soaked in dry blood. A point is emerging from a few inches below his knee. He shrugs and agrees to have his leg checked out. The woman hands his pokeballs to a coworker and leads William to a room. She pulls on some gloves and uses scissors to cut open his pant leg. A shard of rock is sticking out of the flesh and she gently taps it to the sound of William calling her MANY foul words.
"Looks like you will need surgery to remove it since there is an artery in that area. I can't tell if the rock hit it or not so I'm gonna be safe and put you under. After we remove the rock we will stitch you up then you'll be given a room to heal in. don't worry, you'll have a window so your onix can see that you're okay. If you don't mind me asking. How did you get hurt?" the nurse reports before asking.
"Stumbled onto a Team Rocket camp. Helped the pokemon break free and brawled with one of the members. Guess I got hurt in the fight and just didn't notice." William explains.
"Oh! How wonderful. I'm so glad there are people like you who help those poor pokemon. Now. I'm gonna go get the doctor so we can fix you up. Is there anything I can get for a young hero?" The nurse has a happy voice even more than before. Somehow.
"A hot shower and massage. Everything hurts now that the adrenaline is gone." William replies.
"After your surgery you can shower in one of our rooms. The pokecenter doubles as a hotel for pokemon trainers. I also know a good place to get a massage so I'll write it down for you." the nurse exited after saying this.
No matter what people would say to him. William is now a firm believer that the nurse is an angel.
/
William is woken up by the sound of an explosion. He jolts up in bed and groans as pain floods him. The giant grits his teeth and climbs out of bed before grabbing his bag from the table next to him. There's a note.
"Dear william. We have placed your prescription for pain on the nightstand. Take one every two hours as needed for pain. We have calculated the amount needed so you should be fully healed by the time you run out. If not then any pokecenter can refill the prescription. Have a good day!" the note reads.
William looks out his door to see the smoke flowing down the hall. He shrugs and pops ten pills before taking another six. Should work. He walks out of his room and palms the ball for onix as he approaches the reception area. The explosion sounded like it came from here. William stops as he hears voices.
"Jessie!" a female voice exclaims.
"James!" is the male response.
"Meowth that's right!" a rough mewling voice calls.
William peeks out of the door to see that three figures are standing at the door. The smoke shifts and he spots the red R's on their clothes. The large man growls to himself before he tosses the ball behind him. Onix emerges with a rumbling growl and William smirks.
"Up for some fun?" William asks his beast.
/
Nurse Joy holds her hands in front of her mouth as she gasps. These monsters want to steal hurt pokemon? Who could do such horrific things? Pink hair bobs as she looks to the side. A rumbling has begun to fill the room. The two team rocket members stop their posing to stare at the hallway that the noise flows from.
A pair of large shapes rush from the hall. The smaller one is the towering form of william. A patient here at the pokecenter. Blood is flowing from his leg so he must have torn the stitches. The hulking patient doesn't seem to notice for some reason but nurse Joy looks at his eyes. They Are bloodshot to the point of looking like orbs of crimson. He must have overdosed on pain medication to keep the wound from bothering him! The dark haired giant lets out a bellowing challenge as he tackles James, at least that's what he called himself, to the ground. A large fist slams into the nose of the blue haired criminal and a horrific crunch fills the room.
The larger shape is revealed to be an Onix. it bellows in rage as the pair of pokemon, a koffing and a ekans, released by the criminals are swiftly slammed to the ground. The enormous stone serpent roars in victory before it wraps around the magenta haired woman, Jessie, and bones crunch as it tightens its coils. The meowth released by the criminals is trying to help. William responds by grabbing its tail and slamming the small pokemon into the ground.
The large man has yet to stop beating on James and it takes everything nurse Joy and her clefairy have to stop him. The towering form looms above them as he lowers his bloody knuckles.
"You good?" he asks the nurse. His voice rumbles from deep in his chest.
"Yes. I'm fine and so are the pokemon. Thank you for helping. You didn't need to go that far however." Nurse Joy responds. She smiles softly at the utter worry in William's eyes.
"You're a doctor. Nobody hurts a doctor." William grumbles this.
"Thank you for that. Now could you call off your onix? The woman is starting to turn blue." Nurse Joy somehow says this with a worried and happy tone at the same time.
The man nods and calls to his beast. The onix growls unhappily as it releases the mangled form of jessie. Her limbs aren't supposed to have that many joints. The large pokemon slithers over to its master and growls softly. William chuckles and nods. The onix dips its head down and William sits down. A cop arrives and after waving away the dust. It's revealed to be jenny.
"Really man? Why? You're making me look bad here." Jenny complains after spotting william.
"Ma'am? These team rocket members are quite injured. I think the man was using lethal force. Or at least trying to kill them." the male cop with jenny comments.
"He actually wasn't. William was woken up by the bomb they used and appears to have overdosed on pain medication so he could help. One of the side effects is the bloody eyes as you can see. Another is lack of inhibition. He most likely wanted to disable the criminals so I would be safe. The drug however lowered his self restraint so he didn't know when to stop." nurse joy chimes in.
The cops can't speak. William falls off his onix and hits the ground as his eyes roll into the back of his head. The nurse quickly runs over and has the onix position him so the vomiting unconscious man can do so safely. The rock serpent lows sadly as it watches the bile and blood pooling around its master.
The nurse rushes to get a gurney as onix keeps William in the correct position.