PTRKL

Team Rocket Arc

Chapter 27

Trouble All Around, III

Gyarados was so close to falling, as Bulbasaur seeded one of the mercenary's Pokemon, Manectric.

I began to panic a bit; We could have lost and became captives, meaning we'd be unable to stop any threats like Team Rocket.

I never knew how much I had done until I got a little bit older, from ending Mewtwo's destruction to the three birds and so on.

I stared intently at Gyarados, as it got shocked over and over. Bulbasaur was still in the middle of his attack, so there was nothing I could do.

Why does this make you worry more than all the other close calls? I heard my own voice say.

"What do you mean?" I asked, as a figure appeared.

It was a younger version of myself.

"You seem to care a lot more whether just one Pokemon loses. You never worry that much when it comes to this. You haven't done that often, not even in this journey."

"Everything's at stake here!"

"Everything's been at stake."

"This could end it all! This could prevent us from saving people and Pokemon for good!"

"You've already sacrificed your life, your Pokemon, and nearly your friends."

He gave an angry look.

"This is because of Misty, isn't it?"

I stared at her, left without words.

"How pathetic."

And just like that, my thoughts made me burst.

"Misty! Call back Gyarados!" I yelled.

She stared at me, looking almost scared.

She feels the same as me.

"C'mon, before Gyarados gets badly hurt from the hands of whom that may be a killer!"

"O-ok! Gyarados, come back!"

Gyarados went back in his Pokeball.

Although weak, Manectric had pushed Bulbasaur off of itself.

I stared at the cold mercenary sent by Team Rocket.

"2 on 1? You just gave up, kid," the tall man bragged.

"You'll see!" I yelled back.

I devised a small plan.

"Bulbasaur! Tackle Manectric, but use Vine Whip on the way down!" I yelled.

Bulbasaur lunged himself into the air, pulling out his vines. They zoomed to Electabuzz's arms and pulled him to the ground, immobilizing him temporarily.

This battle is mine!

As Bulbasaur landed on Manectric, Electabuzz was dragged to the ground once more, injuring it.

Manectric then began to gather energy to shock Bulbasaur.

There was one last thing to do.

"Bulbasaur! Jump forward and away from Manectric!"

He did so, and Manectric ended up shocking Electabuzz enough to overload the electricity in his body, causing him to shock Manectric back.

I smiled as the two Pokemon ended the fury of electricity and fainted.

"Bulbasaur, return!" I commanded.

I turned to my defeated opponent.

"I have won fair and square. Leave!" I yelled, grabbing Misty's hand and turning away.

"This won't be the end, Ketchum!" the pale man said, but when I turned to retort his statement, he had disappeared.

We eventually fled back to the house where we were encountered by my father at the door.

"You're back earlier than expected. What's wrong?" he asked.

"Team Rocket sent a mercenary after us. I won the battle, but just barely made it. I need to head to Oak's to heal Misty's Gyarados." I explained.

"Otherwise, are you two alright?" my father asked.

"I think so," Misty answered swiftly.

There was a brief pause, before I had to ask something.

"Dad, I'm meeting a friend in Sinnoh and need to leave in a few days. Can I go? I'll be careful."

"I dunno Ash, there's a lot of trouble over there."

He thought about it for a second.

"Fine, I trust you."

I sighed in relief.

"But..."

My anxiety returned, hoping he wouldn't be on to my other intentions.

"You have to take Gary and Leaf with you."

"Done! That was my plan!"

He smiled. "I'll buy the flight tickets for 2-3 days, so go talk to Gary and Leaf or you won't be going."

I grabbed Misty's arm and ran out the front door, with Pikachu inches behind.

We took the usual route to Prof. Oak's lab, and I had opened the lab's front door.

"May we come in?" Misty asked, with Oak noticing us.

Professor Oak was on his living room computer and approached us when I had opened the door.

"Hello, Ash, Misty. What can I do for you?" he asked and greeted with delight.

"We got into a Pokemon scuffle. Can you please heal my Gyarados?" Misty asked, politely.

"Why yes, Misty, right this way."

"Hey, while you are in there, can you get Gary out here? I need to speak with him and Leaf."

"He isn't in the lab, so he should be in his room, probably with Leaf," the Professor answered.

I walked down the hallway that I hadn't walked through in a long time, and it seemed empty without Gary's sister there.

I opened the door to Gary's room and saw Gary and Leaf in a position where they seemed to be-

As the door hit the wall, Gary and Leaf ceased what they were doing and stared at me, blushing, in that position.

They were kissing.

"I-I didn't mean to i-intrude, I can wait until-"

"Just get in here!" Gary interrupted.

I sat as Leaf moved away from Gary.

"We did you need to talk to us about?" Gary asked.

"Do you know how Dawn went missing a few days ago?" I asked back.

"Yeah," they answered in unison.

"Well, I have a friend I need to meet up with and I plan to go to Sinnoh. I also am planning to find out what happened and stop it." I explained.

"Oh, so you are pulling a "save the world" card again? Who's even behind it?" Gary asked

"Wait a second! Save the world? Again?" Leaf asked.

I ignored her.

"Team Rocket is responsible. I wanted to see if you guys were up for going." I invited.

"Hell yeah, I'm down! I wanna go on one of these adventures for once!" Leaf yelled in excitement.

"Well if she's going, I guess I gotta go too," Gary retorted.

"Good, that's all I needed. Get packing. We're leaving in a few days."

"Hey, and don't tell anyone about what you just saw!" Gary yelled, making Leaf blush.

"I promise. See ya!" I said, shutting the door so they could continue.

Paul's POV

Meanwhile, in Sinnoh...

By the time I was nearing the closest train station, I was still being chased.

There was only one man after me in the crowded town, but that didn't mean I was at an advantage.

I kept myself hidden in the crowds as much as I could.

I decided to check in with Ash as I neared the Pokemon Center. I rushed in, to find little trainers or people there.

I gotta hurry

I entered the phone room, dialed my old rival's number and held the phone to my ear.

It rang once.

It rang twice.

Aw what the hell, Ash! Pick up the phone!

I heard him pick up.

"Hello?" he asked.

"Hey, Ash."

"Paul! Are you already in Jubilife City?"

"Not yet. I am near the train station. I realized you were probably wondering if I was even alive right now so I gave you a call. I don't have much time. I'm currently being tailed. Anything important?" I explained and asked.

"I'll be in Jubilife in two to three days. I hope I get there in time."

"Good. I'll hopefully see you then."

"Alright, bye."

I hung up, and peeked outside the phone room. I didn't see any suspicious characters in the center, so I rushed outside and back into the crowds of people.

I had heard many people talking about a festival and where it was.

Unfortunately, it was a little ways away from the station, so I had to be fast.

I eventually arrived at the road they spoke of and everyone turned, splitting me off from everyone else. I began to run toward the station, as I could see it in front of me. It wasn't too far away, and I thought I could make it.

I was only a few meters away when my collar was grabbed.

"I've been looking for you. And no, you won't get out of this with a Pokemon battle. A co-worker got beaten out by Ash Ketchum today and I'm not willing to take any chances," the big man said.

Curse you and your skills, Ash.

"Oh no, today's my unlucky day," I retorted, as I was being held off the ground by the 7 foot man.

"If you play nice, I'll let you down, but I'm doubtful as I've heard things about you too."

"What? Things like this?" I asked, kicking him in the crotch. I was dropped to the ground as the man held his area in pain.

"Why you scrawy little bastard!" he roared, attempting to grab me.

"No no, Mr. Mercenary. Not today," I remarked, turning away.

He reached for me again and was successful, throwing me over his shoulder.

The merc began to walk away from the train station and toward the outskirts of town.

Crap! I have to get out of here. I have to.

I then reached around his neck, my hands now covering his eyes.

"Why you-" he yelled.

The merc's foot slipped off the curb and lost his balance. I fell out of his grasp as we both fell to the ground.

As a result, I had a few scratches on my faces and knees, but I began to sprint off anyway.

I looked back to see the angle the man fell, and knew he wasn't gonna get up for a while. I smirked as I entered the train station.

Apparently the last train for Jubilife was about to leave as I passed through the gate. I barely made it on, as the sun set outside.

I'll be waiting, Ash.

A/N: This chapter may be a bit shorter but things are picking up. Next chapter on the way, where Ash finally starts his quest to save Dawn and Kenny! There will be a few chapters dedicated to this quest, one more as a Sinnoh vacation day thing along with their departure back to Kanto and we're back and beginning the last third to the main journey. I like the change of pace to this journey, and hope to make the Team Rocket Arc some of the best chapters. Read and review, suggest stuff for the last third or quarter (i dunno) of the Journey and/or the tournament to come!

Take care, RR, stay cool, catch em all, Shinji get in the damn robot, whatever, sincerely,

bakercomics

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