So sorry for the late upload!
Chapter Fourteen: Saving Leader Brock!
Crash and Misty had an argument that led to Crash running away due to what she said, but they soon reconcile. Though Misty lost against Sir Reginald, he congratulates her on a battle well fought.
Meanwhile, Daisy is fighting against the clock to find Brock before her final round starts.
/-/
(Daisy's PoV.)
I ran practically everywhere calling his name. But I never heard him call back. I ran everywhere looking for that spiked brown hair. But I never saw it.
I checked the decks, the bow, the lido deck, the stern, even the bridge, asking everyone I could. But they all said those same words…
"Sorry, I haven't seen him."
It was a sad lonely walk back to our cabin.
As I opened the door, I laid myself out on a bed, feeling utterly disappointed in myself.
"Where are you, Brock?" I asked myself, worry clear in my voice. I turn my head over to his bag. And a light bulb went off in my mind.
"That's it!" I grabbed his bag and sent out a Pokémon I knew that could help me.
"Stripes! I choose you!"
Stripes came out his ball and pounced on me, licking my face, clearly ready to play with me. But after looking at my face again, he moves off me and gives an apologetic whimper.
"It's OK, Stripes." I pat his head. "You're just happy to see me. Now, I need you to help me with something."
(Daisy's PoV ends.)
/-/
As Misty exited the battle areas, she was met with Crash, still clapping for her.
"Crash, my battle is over."
"I know." He continued to clap.
"So why are you still clapping?"
"I'm just proud of you."
Misty blushed, clearly not expecting how honest he was.
"Are you ok Misty?" Crash asked. "Your face is red again."
Misty's face grew redder as she attempted to hide her blush.
"I-I'm fine! We have other things to worry about though!" Misty said, trying to change the subject. "Like, where's Daisy and Brock?"
Crash frowned. "They missed it."
"They did? Oh…"
"Daisy said she wouldn't miss it." Crash crossed his arms, very disappointed. "She said she'd be here but wasn't!"
Misty frowned. "Something must've come up for her to miss my battle." Misty stood up from her seat. "I'll go look for her, she might be at our cabin."
Crash shot up from his seat. "I'll come too!"
They make it back to their cabin and see it somewhat in good condition.
"Looks like someone else was here before us." Misty said, noticing the wrinkles on the bed.
"And Brock's bag is missing too." Crash pointed out.
Misty looked to where their bags were and saw that only her bag was left. Crash had kept his on, so Brock, Daisy and herself left them in the cabin.
"They must've taken their bags and gone somewhere else." Said Misty. "But where?"
"Why don't we ask around?" Crash suggested. "Daisy said she'd look for Brock so she probably asked where he was.
Misty interrupted. "So maybe someone's seen her ask around." Misty taps her chin before her eyes light up.
"Let's split up! I'll check the deck and the lido deck. You check near the battle areas."
"Got it."
Misty and Crash walk out the cabin and begin their search for their friends.
/-/
(Brock's PoV)
I woke up feeling as if a herd of Tauros had run me over… I then found myself bound to a chair with a gag in my mouth. I began to struggle, but I couldn't get close to freeing myself.
"Well, well, well. You're finally awake!" A female voice sang. "Was starting to wonder if Mr. Executive Proton had killed you."
I stopped struggling and looked up to where the voice was as I saw a blonde-haired woman sitting cross-legged on a crate. She was playing with a whip in her hands.
"Strong and silent type, huh kid?" She chuckled. "Don't worry. We have ways of making you talk."
Her whip struck near my foot, causing me to flinch. She hopped off the crate and pulled my face to look at her own.
"And I'm sure you don't want that, do you?"
I stayed silent, due to not wanting to reveal anything, and because of the gag in my mouth.
"Oh right." She pulls the gag out my mouth. "There. Your questioning begins now. What's your name and how did you-"
"Hey, Cassidy!" a voice from behind the woman said. It sounded raspy, like a stereotypical smoker.
The woman, apparently named Cassidy, spoke to her green-haired cohort. "What is it Butch?"
"There's an intruder on the prowl." He explained. "They've beaten most of the grunts here with a single Pokémon!"
Cassidy looked a bit nervous but quickly regained her composure. "Well we'll deal with them when they get here. But for now…"
She turned her gaze towards me and gave a grin that scared me to my very soul. "Let's get as much from you as we can… shall we?"
(Brock's PoV ends)
/-/
(Misty's PoV)
I had searched everywhere, and I didn't have much luck. Everyone had said they either didn't see Brock or Daisy, or that they were too busy.
I sat down at a nearby bench to collect my thoughts.
No one had seen Brock or Daisy. It's like they'd just… vanished.
I racked my brain for any idea that could lead me to finding them.
Wait, that's it! Brock was in the cafeteria last time we saw him. So if I go back into the cafe, maybe someone there would have seen Brock. Or maybe Daisy!
I jumped to my feet and began power walking to the cafeteria. It was more vacant than last time I had been there, but I wasn't going to complain.
I began asking everyone who was in the cafeteria, but came up with nothing. Until a waitress spoke up and said that she'd seen a girl wearing green pass through here with an Arcanine, and had turned the corner, as if she was looking for something or someone.
I immediately knew that the girl in green had to be Daisy. I thanked the woman and ran to where she had seen her last.
I walked through a hallway and came across a staff only room.
Wait… a dead end? She said Daisy had gone this way… Unless she had entered the room. I could get in trouble but… Wait, I hear someone!
I quickly hid behind a corner, peeking out to see who it was. It was a waiter and a chef. I got ready to get out of my hiding spot until they began to strip. I quickly return to my hiding spot.
"You sure we should take them off here? What if someone sees us and reports us to the captain." Said a woman's voice.
"It's fine… a lot of the staff are on break at this time and this is one of the move secluded spots on the S.S Anne. We'll be fine."
OMIGOSHOMIGOSHOMIGOSHOMIGOSH! WHAT'RE THEY DOING!? ARE THEY ABOUT TO…
I began to imagine… unspeakable adult things. I'm not dirty minded, it was my sisters' fault for watching those movies when I was around!
"Are you sure?" The woman asked again. "It'd be bad if someone found out…"
I felt my face get warmer as I held back a squeal.
"Look, we can't walk around in our Team Rocket garb anywhere else. The bathrooms are public, so this is the only place this can work!" He angrily whispered.
I paused.
Did he say…. Team Rocket?
I peeked from behind my hiding spot and saw them in black uniforms, with light gray gloves and a big red R in the center of their uniforms.
Oh my gosh… I really wish they were doing something unspeakable.
"That's so~ much better." The man sighed.
"Ok, we've changed." The woman said, clearly paranoid. "Let's hurry up, put our clothes away, and meet up with the others before the staff show up and-"
The man slaps her back playfully. "Please. If the staff see anything, we can handle them babe."
"But what about the International Police?"
"Oh please. Those losers don't scare me!" The man puffed his chest out, attempting to make himself look cool.
It seemed to work on the woman though as she clung to his arm and they entered the room. I quickly snuck in behind them, and hid behind crates.
I did this for a while until I heard a scream. I peeked from my hiding spot and saw a grunt running my way. I quickly tucked my head back in but he didn't notice me.
I looked back where he came from and saw the grunts I had been tailing before battling a large Pokémon.
"Zubat, use Bite!" The woman cried.
"Machop, use Karate Chop!" The man ordered.
The Arcanine took the attacks, but looked unfazed.
"Arcanine, use Flamethrower!" I heard It's trainer command.
That voice… It's-
"Machop, block it!" The male grunts ordered. The Machop blocks the torrent of flames, but is pushed back, the flames being too much for the Superpower Pokémon to take.
"No!" The female grunt cried. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT, KID! Zubat! Suck her dry!"
As Zubat flew towards Daisy, I called for one of my Pokémon to stop it.
"Krabby! Use Crabhammer!"
My recent addition slams its claw into the back of the Bat Pokémon, sending it to the ground.
They turn to look at me and grumble.
"Grr… another kid?" The man groaned.
The woman looked distressed. "I told you we should've been more careful. Now Mr Executive Proton is gonna kill us!"
The two grunts retrieve their fainted Pokémon, and run away scared.
"Thanks for the save, Misty." Daisy said. "But how'd you find me?"
"Well, I remembered that the last time we saw Brock was in the cafeteria, so I asked around and followed those clowns here." I replied. "What about you?"
Daisy smiled and picked up Brock's bag. "I had Stripes smell this and track him down. And it brought me here."
"Wait… you don't think that Brock was kidnapped by them right?" I winced at the thought.
"They did mention catching an intruder earlier…" Daisy said with a thoughtful look. "But that doesn't explain why they're on the boat…"
"Team Rocket is a group of Pokémon thieves, so they're on the boat trying to steal the Pokémon!"
"You sound familiar with them." Daisy said
"We are, but we sent them flying a while ago. This must be the rest of their group." I surmised.
A storm of grunts then quickly surrounded us.
"Ok brats! This "hero moment" of yours comes to an end!" The leading grunt said. "So come with us quietly, and we won't hurt you."
The grunts send out their Pokémon, which were a bunch of Rattata, Zubat, and Drowzee.
"Much." The lead grunt gave an evil smile.
Daisy and I look between each other and nod as our Pokémon step up to battle.
"I'll take the ones behind us, you handle them." Daisy said, turning around to face the grunts, her tone serious and her Arcanine turning with her.
I looked down to my crustacean companion. "Are you ready Krabby?"
"Cookie! Cookie!" it happily snapped its pincers.
I turned to the grunts in front of me. "Prepare to get washed out! Krabby, use Crabhammer!"
(Misty's PoV ends)
/-/
(Crash's PoV)
I ran near the arenas, asking people if they'd seen Daisy or Brock around. Some people said no, while others said that Misty had asked them the same question.
I asked where she went, but they said they weren't paying attention.
I sat down to rest, deciding to wait for Daisy in case she came back. Mark nudged my cheek, probably sensing how worried I was. I grabbed Mark and set him in my lap.
"Sorry buddy, guess I'm more worried than I thought…"
"Pika…" He sounded… understanding. I think empathetic is the right word for that.
"Don't worry. Misty is looking for them right now. If I left, I'd miss my battle and Daisy or Brock could be worried about finding me." I tried to explain.
Mark looked sad, but he seemed to understand.
"Hey, cheer up! Let's go and get something to eat. Our battle's next, and you shouldn't fight on an empty stomach."
Mark was hesitant but after his stomach rumbled, he was more than happy to get lunch with me.
We head to the cafeteria and I fill my plate with some of my favorites, and grab a bowl of Pokémon food for Mark.
I set our food on the table and we begin eating. As we happily tore into our meals, I heard an all too familiar voice.
"Hey there, Crashy boy!"
I turned around and saw the last person I wanted to see.
"Larry…" I blankly stared at him, not in the mood to talk.
"What's wrong Crashy boy?" Larry teased. "Meowth got your tongue?"
"Leave me alone Larry." I groaned as I took a bite out of my burger.
"Really, Crash. Junk food?" Larry said as he peeked over my shoulder and at my tray. "A trainer is as only good as the Pokémon they train and the food they eat, and you are a garbage trainer."
"I said to leave me alone Larry." I repeated, taking another bite of my burger, hoping he'd take the hint and leave me alone.
He didn't.
"Look Crash, I've seen how well you're doing and you're doing pretty good."
Wait. Did Larry just compliment me? Did Larry Sampson Oak… just compliment me? I gotta be dreaming!
"For battling amateur trainers."
Aaaand there it is…
"I mean, really. Do you think you'd stand a chance against actually skilled trainers like me, Daisy and Sir Reginald Silverton?"
I rolled my eyes and ignored him, as I continued to eat my food. I even began to eat with my mouth open to get him to leave me alone.
"Oh, Crash. It's bad manners to chew with your mouth open like that, y'know?"
I finally caved in and acknowledged him. "What do you want Larry? I'm eating with my Pokémon." I pointed to Mark who looked at me and then to Larry.
Larry looked at the Pikachu and rubbed his chin with his hand.
"Wait a second!" He then looked surprised. "You're the Pikachu that my Gramps had!" He looked back at me. "This is your starter Pokémon?"
I nodded. Larry looked at Mark and I, looking surprised. But then he started to laugh.
"What's so funny Larry?"
"Oh nothing, Crash." He was clearly being sarcastic. "It's just that Pikachu has had other Trainers before you. But because they couldn't handle it, they dropped it back at Gramp's Lab."
"Well I have 3 badges, and Mark hasn't left me."
"Yet. It hasn't left you yet, Crash." He wagged his finger at me. "It's not a matter of if, Crashy boy. Only when."
I put down my burger and stood up from my seat. "Look Larry! Me and Mark are going all the way to the Indigo League! And you can't say anything otherwise!"
Larry put his hands up, shook his head and sighed. "Well whatever. It's none of my concern." Larry turns to leave, but stops. "Oh right. I came here for something."
"What?" I clearly wasn't in the mood for his questions, so I sat back down and continued to eat my food.
"Where's Daisy? Her match is starting soon."
"She went to go look for a friend of mine." I explained. "But she hasn't come back yet, so me and another friend are looking for her…"
Larry looked at me for a moment before giving me his signature smug smile. "Doesn't look like it." He gestured to my plate of food.
"I'm eating." I frowned. "I was waiting for her back at the battle areas, but I got hungry."
"And while you're eating, Daisy's still missing."
"Let me finish eating and I'll go look for her then!" I snapped back. "Besides, Misty's looking for her."
"Misty? Like Misty Falls? The girl that participated in the tournament?" He asked, confused.
I nodded. "Yep! She's also one of the Sensational Cerulean Sisters, a really skilled trainer, and one of my friends."
Larry looked at me and laughed again.
"What's so funny?"
"The fact you think you're friends with a skilled trainer like Misty… It's hilarious!"
"Hey!" I yelled, getting up from my seat. "We are friends!"
"In your dreams maybe." He gave me another one of his signature smug smiles.
"It's true!"
"Oh please! If you really are friends with her, where is she?"
"She's looking for Daisy and Brock right now." I explained. "But she'll come back!"
"Or maybe she realized how much better she can do in terms of friends?"
I gasped. "What do you-"
"I mean how else did you become a trainer? You got lucky that my Gramps pitied you enough so you could get your starting Pokémon. And you're lucky that Pikachu listens to you at all when it runs away from other Trainers."
"N-no… I've trained my Pokémon… I've won three badges…"
"Sure you have. But you can't deny that you're a lucky kid, Crash." Larry shrugs and walks away. "But eh, what do I know about being a trainer? I've only graduated at the top of my class at trainer's school and have 4 badges…" he laughed and walked away.
I looked at my plate of half eaten food and dumped it into a trash can, not feeling as hungry as I was before.
I walked away and slumped into a chair.
Is Larry right? Was Misty right? Am I really all luck and no skill?
I felt a tug on my pants leg and looked down.
"Pikapi? Pika?" It was Mark, looking up at me, worriedly.
"Oh! I'll be OK buddy…" I tried to reassure my partner. "I just-"
"May Daisy Oak come to the battle areas for the semi final match?" Sounded the intercom. "I repeat, may Daisy Oak come to the battle areas for the semi final match?"
"Oh her match is starting soon, let's go buddy!"
Mark hops onto my shoulder and we head to the battle areas for Daisy's match.
I took my seat and waited for Daisy's match to start.
(Crash's PoV ends)
/-/
(Misty's PoV)
"Finish this with Crabhammer!"
Krabby lifts up a pincer and slams it into a Drowzee, knocking it into a bunch of Rattata and knocking them down.
My Crab Pokémon snaps its pincers victoriously as the grunts retrieve their fainted Pokémon and scramble away.
"Grr, you'll rue the day you fucked with us kid!" The lead grunt yelled as he began to run away along with the others.
I turned to Krabby and returned it into its ball, thanking it for fighting so hard. I turned to Daisy and her Arcanine, who had already finished their battles with the grunts.
As they ran away, Daisy turned to me. "Thanks for the help Misty, I don't think I could've handed them on my own."
"You're welcome Daisy!" I bowed. "But we have to find Brock!"
She nodded and picked up Brock's bag and held it to Arcanine's nose. The canine Pokémon sniffed at the bag and began to run in a random direction.
"Let's go!" Daisy said as she ran after her Pokémon. "Stripes has his scent!"
I followed her deeper into the ship, taking left turns and right turns until we came to a door that the Arcanine pawed at.
"Looks like this is the place." Daisy said.
"What's with all the racket!?" Yelled a woman's voice. "Bill, if that's your ass again I swear to Rhydon!"
The door opened and a golden haired woman with pink triangle earrings stepped out. "Oh? An Arcanine? And two more intruders?"
"We came here for our friend!" I shouted. "Where is he?"
"Oh he's right inside! Not like we'd let you in though." Said a green haired male who sounded like he was a smoker. "But he's not looking too hot right now."
"Who are you monsters?" Daisy asked, anger and disgust filling her tone.
"You don't know who you're dealing with." The woman said.
"But allow us to tell you." The man said.
"Prepare for trouble and make it double!" They said in unison.
"To infect the world with devastation!"
"To blight all peoples in every nation."
"To denounce the goodness of truth and love."
"To extend our wrath to the stars above!"
"Cassidy!" The woman posed. "And Butch!"
"We're Team Rocket, circling the earth, all day and night!" Said Cassidy.
"Surrender now, for you will surely lose this fight!" Continued Butch.
"That's right!" They said as a Raticate jumped out to fight.
Daisy looked at me and I looked back to her and we shared a nod as I reached for a Pokéball.
"Starmie! Go!" I shouted.
(Misty's PoV ends)
/-/
(Brock's PoV)
I woke up hearing a loud crashing noise. I looked around in a daze, everything looking too blurry for me to make out. I then found myself tasting something weird… I tried to put my hand in my mouth to see what it was but I couldn't move them at all.
Like they were stuck to my side.
I began wiggling around to try and free myself and I ended up on the floor. I began to struggle again, but I couldn't get close to freeing myself. I felt my strength waning again and I eventually closed my eyes
When I woke up again, I heard a voice call my name.
".roc., ca. ..u he.r .e?"
I opened my eyes and saw a redhead girl standing over me. I couldn't make out her face but her voice…
"Br..k, .an yo. ..ar me?"
That voice… It's so… familiar…
I focused harder and my vision cleared up. I looked up at the girl and it was…
"Misty?" I managed to say.
I felt myself being sat up and being hugged.
"Brock! You're ok!" I heard her say. She began to try and lift me by my shoulder. "Can you stand?"
I gained my footing on the ground and managed to walk a little, with Misty's help.
"Misty! Is he- Brock!"
That voice… it was Daisy's!
"Daisy?" I weakly looked up at her, as she ran towards me.
"Brock! We were so worried about you!" She gave me a tight hug. She then stopped hugging me and looked me over.
"Look what they did to you… hold on. I have just the Pokémon for this situation!"
Daisy stepped back and threw out a Pokémon. It was a Chansey. The Egg Pokémon looked around curiously before turning its eyes to me in horror.
"Sunny, I want you to help Brock." Daisy said as she knelt to its eye level. "He's badly hurt."
Chansey nodded and Daisy turned to Misty. "Can you set Brock down for a minute?"
Misty complied and laid me out on the floor. As she did, the Chansey pulled out the large egg from its pouch and handed it to me.
"What? What is she trying to do?" I asked.
"She's trying to feed you the egg." Daisy explained. "Chansey eggs are not only nutritious, but with Softboiled, Chansey can heal others!"
The Chansey gave an affirmative dance, and pushed the egg closer to me. The Egg Pokémon positioned the egg so that I could eat it.
As I took a bite, I felt some of my strength return.
After a few more bites, I could stand, and eventually, Sunny handed me the rest to finish myself.
Once I finished the egg I was back on my feet.
"Thank you." I bowed to Sunny gratefully, and she seemed to be happy that I looked and sounded better.
"Good work Sunny. Return!" Daisy returned her Pokémon.
"Brock, what happened? Misty asked me.
I began to explain everything to them. The suspicious waiter, me being discovered and having to fight, losing and being beat in a chair.
"So that's what happened…" Daisy rubbed her chin.
"That's horrible! How could they!?" Misty gasped. "That's it! We're putting a stop to their plans for the S.S Anne!"
"But they took my Pokémon…" I said as I felt my belt. "They overwhelmed me and took my Pokémon when I blacked out."
"Then finding your Pokémon is a priority!" Misty said, pumping her fist determinedly.
(Brock's PoV ends)
/-/
They began searching everywhere for anywhere Team Rocket could have put Brock's Pokémon.
They eventually find a storage room full of Pokéballs.
"This must be where they'll be keeping the Pokémon they'd steal." Brock said aloud.
"So how do we find Brock's Pokémon?" Daisy asked, looking at rows of Pokéballs.
They look around and notice a computer on a desk.
"Maybe we'll find something on this computer? Misty pointed out.
"Let me see…" Daisy said as she hopped onto the computer. "Hmmm, this seems to be a spreadsheet for all the Pokémon that they stole…"
"A spreadsheet?" Misty gasped. "Does that mean that we were…"
Daisy shook her head. "No… Their latest robbery was from Brock." She moved aside to show them.
"Name; Rockefeller, Brock." Misty read. "Age; 15. Two Pokémon; Geodude and Onix. Column one, row one."
Brock immediately ran to his left and saw 2 Pokéballs. He pressed and held down the button in the center, the red shell of the ball becoming semi transparent.
Brock smiled as he saw his Geodude crossing its arms, looking stern. He did the same to the other Pokéball and saw his Onix, coiled up and resting.
He happily grabbed them both and turned to the girls. "Found them."
"Great!" Daisy clasped her hands happily.
"Now we gotta get outta here, tell Crash, and warn the Capitan!" Misty said determinedly.
As they made to leave the room, an explosion was heard from somewhere on the ship, rocking the boat greatly.
"What was that?!" Brock yelled as the vibrations of the detonation shook the ship.
/-/
With their friend's safety ensured, the trio will have to thwart Team Rocket's plans for the S.S Anne. Will they stop the dastardly team, or will everyone lose their precious Pokémon and their lives? You'll find out, as the journey continues…
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and the changes in the story so far. If you did, make sure to check out the forum for this fanfic, where you can ask questions or make suggestions for the story going forward…
And don't worry. The "S.S Anne arc" ends in the next chapter.