I should tell you right now that this part as well as other parts of my story is a strongly based of the Pokemon Special Manga. I will tell you any information that you need. Thanks. Here is Chapter 9. The climax is getting close guys so review!
*
Chapter 9: Triads of Tyranny
"Great job taking down Team Rocket," Wanye said.
"It was only two of them. Both by the code names of Dusk and Gray, Gray did not fight us," Josh answered.
"Gray and Dusk, you say. They are the prodigy and the seeker of Team Rocket respectively. The both of you are lucky that Gray didn't battle. He's a genius in battling with steel types. We haven't had anyone to beat him in battle yet," Wayne exclaimed.
"Hm...He probably didn't see us as an interest to fight. Perhaps now, he does," Josh said kind of proud of that statement.
"You two great job on your first mission together. You seem to enjoy the mission as well as Josh gaining his second pokemon. By the way, your dad called wondering if you were home yet"
Josh was utterly amused that his dad was this anxious to see him come back. He's only been gone a month or so and practically going to be waiting at the door for him. "
That man..." Josh sighed. Josh was anxious to see him but he also had questions in mind about the Team Rocket debacle. It held a residence in his mind even though he forgave him.
"He stated that he has a present for you too. A friend from Hoenn caught something for you at Surge's request. It's a pokemon obviously. I can't say which one though," Wayne said looking at the notepad on his desk.
"Did you really have to write it down to remember it?" Romy suddenly proclaimed.
"Yeah...?" Wayne said surprised that someone actually caught him glancing at the notes.
"That's good. It was probably Drake who caught it for me. He was a friend of my dad's from the Navy. Though they argue which of the POCE is better, they are close friends almost a grandfather figure to me."
"Drake, like the Drake hailing from the Elite Four in the Hoenn Region," Romy stated. "That's so cool. He's like the master of the rarest type in the world. You know someone like that."
"Yeah, he visits all the time..." Josh said almost in and a slow, disorientated tone.
Josh never took into account that Drake was part of the Elite Four nevertheless the best out of all four of them in Hoenn. He was a tall man but not nearly as tall as Surge. He had a lighter skin completion with a build that surprisingly looked very sickly. His ribs were visible like they were perched upon his insides like a hawk. His eyes were sharp like any dragon's eyes; it was like glaring upon a compressed black hole. His key feature was his long gray mustache that seemingly leaped across the upper portion of his lips. He always wore tattered blue jeans, boots, his long ripped trench coat, and his POCE Navy hat. Drake was an unforgettable person.
"I'm heading home guys. Don't worry I'll come back," Josh said nodding his head.
"Romy, you should head back to Celadon too. Erika has been wondering where you have been?"
Romy looked away. Josh was sure that she said that Erika urged her to go. After a staring match, consisted of Josh being the player shooting the glares and Romy evading them, Josh finally had the nerve to ask about it.
"I thought Erika asked you to join us?"
"True...I did say that..." Romy paused for a second. "I lied. I can't face her. Especially after I almost failed to protect the gym…"
Josh and Romy had so many things in common that virtually unbelievable. Though it was more visible that Josh was upset, Romy suffered from the same problems as he. When they were disappointed in themselves, they could not face the people that were involved as a self persecution. Josh could sympathize with her about that. While Josh would lash out on the world, Romy would lash out on herself. Despite her tough girl persona, she was very much human and soft as well.
"Do you want to come with me to Vermilion? You are my partner..." Josh was about to withdraw that statement from sounding like they were going out but Romy just smiled.
"Yes we are. Crime fighter partner," Romy exclaimed although she was holding back a smile doing so.
"Y-you want to come. Especially after my dad, I mean…" if this statement was football, Josh would have fumbled or thrown an interception.
"I guess it will be nice..." Romy contemplated on seeing Lt. Surge in person again.
"Don't worry. He'll be nice," Josh wasn't quite sure of that statement but however he said it.
"Be back by tomorrow. I'm going to try to find another mission for the both of you."
"Where's Nick?" Josh said finally thinking about the emptiness in the hallway upon walking.
"Nick is with one of our veteran members, Justice at Cinnabar Island. He's not one to stay around for long, so you haven't seen him."
"Whew...." Josh exhaled.
"What?" Wayne exclaimed.
"I thought it was only the six of us," as stupid as that sounded, quite honestly that's all he saw.
"Yeah....the rest is stationed throughout Kanto. It's not a lot of members trust me," Wayne reassured.
"Well. That's good. I'm heading home now."
"Have a safe trip!"
Josh nodded and prepared himself to actually head out. The thought had crossed his mind to let his pokemon out of their pokeballs, so he did. Blacktooh and Volt appeared before him as soon as the pokeballs hit the ground. Volt quickly took Josh's side while Blacktooth just sharply glare at Josh before folding its wings. It still didn't trust its new trainer entirely which made the ride here a bit of a rocky one. There were times that he thought was going to fall off and crash his head on a spiky rock somewhere. There were also times that he had the thought that Blacktooth was actually trying to kick him off of his back. The Aerodactyl was a tough one, but it seemed to have gained a little respect from both its trainer and Romy for surviving the flight here.
Josh offered his arm for the Aerodactyl could roost but it declined the request. Volt shrugged his shoulders and continued up the hallway too. Josh followed them.
"Looks like that Aerodactyl is a bit emo..." Romy said running up to Josh from behind.
"He's new to this trainer thing. Not all pokemon is going to be like "I LOVE YOU MAN" kind of pokemon. They are wild."
"You have point," Romy said running fingers through her hair, flicking it to the side.
"Are you prepared to meet my dad? Last time, you didn't get a good impression of him," Josh knew this more than often happened with the people that his dad comes in contact with.
"I know that you two are similar. Loud, arrogant, and crude explains the Surge family that I have met," Romy said with a smirk.
"Are you calling me loud, arrogant, and crude?" Josh said offended.
"I'm just calling you arrogant and crude. Can be loud though…"
Josh smiled broadly. There was honestly nothing else that he could do at that time. He didn't want her point to be proven so he remained silent. Romy had achieved what she wanted, so she flicked her hair in accomplishment.
They walked to the outside of the KRPD headquarters. It was a surprisingly warmer day than normal in the Kanto region. The sunlight shimmered brightly, sending rainbow colored reflections of light from the Silph Corporation's windows throughout the city limits. Upon the yellow and brown bricks of the road, the light exposed many of the shimmering sediments, allowing the road to sparkle as they walk. They call the road behind the Silph Corporation, Main Street, mainly because there were three buildings that attracted many of the tourists. The police department was technically on the far east of town, followed by the Fighting Dojo in the middle, and the Sabrina's psychic gym being on the far west. The city was often sprawling with businessmen, trainer, and tourist like. Today was no different.
"Romy send out your pokemon," Josh suggested. "It would make it easier for me to keep in contact with you."
"They do need some air," Romy grabbed the three balls from her side.
She threw the all three of them in the air sending three pokemon from their Pokemon. Zirk the Ninorino and Marigold the Roselia was the two that Josh recognized. The third was a mammal like creature with blue skin and white fur. Upon its head was a sickle like horn and its tail appeared to be almost like a bat's tail. The creature eyes was very dark red but it appeared to be rather calm than dangerous. The pokemon brushed its head against Romy's leg and gave the same treatment to Josh before returning back to its master.
"Meet Kain the Absol," Romy said as she brushed the velvet like fur of the creature.
"He seems quite friendly," Josh said. The creature looked as though it would be more threatening than collected.
"Normally, he doesn't attract to people like that."
"And you call me arrogant and crude," Josh said puffing out his chest
"You just show evidence of being all those things..."
"Who have I lived with for sixteen of my years?!?" shouted Josh.
"There's loud," Romy pointed out. "You did pose a good point there."
"Where do you think Gabriel run off to?"
"Gabriel..." his name made her spine tingle. It wasn't a good feeling.
"I am sure that we will find them."
"How can you be so sure? I mean he evaded the police this long," Romy's voice seemed to lower.
"I'm more than sure that we will find him. He didn't kill me for a reason, so I am going to be the one that stopped him. He is going to wish that he killed me that day."
"I assumed that you are right."
"Wait! I have something for the both of you!" shouted another voice from a distance.
Josh and Romy as well as the rest of the company with the exception from Blacktooth turned. Katrine was seen swerving through the traffic of Saffron City with two different colored devices in her hand. From a distance it gave the impression of being a PokeGear from the Johto Region. When Katrine handed the green and the red device to Josh and Romy respectively it appeared to much more advance. The device had a clear LCD screen that was framed within a painted metal. Though light device seemed to be rather tough across the face of it. Overall, it appeared to be something akin to a miniaturized computer.
Katrine, Josh, and Romy as well as the pokemon moved to the other side of the road to allow the traffic move more clearly as the obtain these devices.
"Here's your Pokevoyace," Katrine said proudly ordaining them owners of the gadgets.
"Wow. Thanks, Katrine!" Romy said staring at the small devices.
"Okay. What exactly are these things capable of? Nick mentioned that it could understand feeling to hear the pokemon's voice..." Josh was completely unsure in what he was saying.
"The Pokevoyace is a communication device only to be used in the Law Enforcement or the POCE branches of the military. You can't read ALL pokemons' thoughts only those you have a unique bond with. Any pokemon that you caught really..."
Josh's eyes looked at Volt and then at Blacktooth. Romy did the same for Marigold, Zirk, and Kain. Both of them suddenly grabbed the Pokevoyances from Katrine's loose grip. The both of them hunted for the power button. Romy was the one to find it first. She pressed the button causing the screen to light up. An Abra walked across the screen as it loaded before turning to this fairly bright menu screen. Marigold, Kain, Zirk appeared on her screen as two small miniature versions of themselves. Romy found this very charming. The loading screen was a bit different for Josh being a Drowzee instead of Abra. In the end the he found himself at a screen as well with his two pokemon.
"These are the pokemon you can feel the emotion of right now," Katrine went on to explain. "Sabrina, the Gym Leader here, assisted by the Silph Corporation in making this product to react with a trainer in their pokemon. It uses some of the metal found in a "Twisted Spoon" and "Mind Plate" compressed together to make a metal known as "Psychothium." Psychothium in fact helps the thoughts to be successful transferred to each while the Pokevoyace itself translates the words for the Pokemon and Human speech as well as vice-versa."
"So how do we…uh…work this thing," Josh asked. He understood the background, but particulars with technology weren't his strong point.
"How do we speak with them is what he is trying to say," Romy translating Josh's idiocy.
"You just think about it...." Katrine's voice peaked happily.
"You act like that was self-explanatory," Josh said looking at Katrine.
"That was what I was talking about!" Romy exclaimed towards Josh.
"What?"
"Whatever, continue Katrine," Romy gave a hand motion for her to continue.
"Anyway, concentrate on your pokemon and their feelings. If they want to open up to you, then they will. Just close your eyes close your eyes and think about them. It is that easy. Unless you want me to get into how the concentrations resonate with each other," Katrine said swinging her arms. She knew quite a lot about this and she evidently eager to share.
"Uh can we pass?" Josh asked.
"Sure. Just concentrate. I know you are eager."
"Right," Josh and Romy said before doing as they were commanded.
Josh closed his eyes instantly to feel the world around him. His heart was pounding harder and harder waiting to hear something. Josh felt a presence within the dark world behind his close eyes. He couldn't pin point it until he felt the urge to actually speak within his head. It was like someone nudging your shoulder to get your attention. If Josh could turn his head to view the other presence, he would.
"Hello?"
"Please to speak with you at last...Josh," a gallant voice spoke.
"Volt..." Josh thought.
"Yes it is I. Nice that this thing works. I was a bit skeptical."
"I can't believe your voice is a so deep. How do you know...?"
"Human speech," Volt finished Josh's thought. "Were you listening to that woman's speech at all? This thing can translate all 493 known species of my race. Besides, I hear you speak it and I've lived near a power plant most of my life. It's kind of hard not to understand the patterns," Volt gave a warm laughter at his trainer.
Josh knew he was smiling if he opened his eyes. He never expected voice inner voice to be so soothing yet triumphant. It was like the greatest soldier of all time combined with the temperament of monk. Josh wished that his voice was like Volt's inner one.
"I honestly expected your voice to be gruffer...." Josh exclaimed.
"Well. I hear your voice all the time. So I have no complaints." Josh couldn't help but laugh at Volt's statement.
"Do you need anything?"
"No, I do not. But remember, Josh. I'm still your pokemon. I serve you..." Volt paused. "I feel that you better try to contact Blacktooth."
"Alright but one question," Josh was almost hesitating.
"Anything, master," Volt answered
"Why did you trust me?"
"Your eyes master. A pokemon can tell all about a trainer by looking into their eyes. I chose not to break out of that pokeball...well honestly I couldn't break out even if I tried. But still, you are a great trainer. You're calculating, smart, and headstrong. I like that."
"Do you like your name?"
"I thought one question was all that you wanted master," his voice sounded sarcastically amused. He laughed warmly before speaking again. "It's a fitting name. It suits me well."
"You're amazing."
"Ah. As are you, master. Now move along. You need Blacktooth to trust you," Volt spoke proudly.
"Yes. Promise that you'll talk to me again."
"It needs no promise to what is edged in stone, master."
Josh focused his mind on Blacktooth for a moment. He could feel the glimmer of disdain in the pokemon's body. It was then, he knew it was him. Josh heart felt like it was bleeding from the inside out now. He could feel the pokemon waiting for him to speak. It was like a dark cloud was over his head, storming torrential rains to drown him. This pokemon was darkness, it was death.
"Speak before I end up seizing throat with my teeth... "Blacktooth's voice was milky, slow, and sadistic.
"Blacktooth..."
"That's the foolish name that you gave me."
"You don't like it?"
"Do I have a choice? Like when captured me," Blacktooth voice hardened with the word capture.
"I can release you go if you want."
"What would be the meaning of that? To appease my inner needs? Like all trainers what to do, huh. You will give me that painfully obvious tale about how a trainer and a pokemon should love each other and become friends. You are nothing more than a liar. All humans are. They try to appease their pokemon just to get what they want. If that is a championship, a ribbon, merchandise, or food," Blacktooth's voice sharpened to the word food leaving Josh breath in lightly. "Nevertheless, speak."
"You're obviously unhappy," Josh summed up his monologue into three words.
"I'm unhappy? Perhaps I am. But, what if want to stick around for a while, human? Get to know you. Is that what the humans say? Just to prove that you are like any other human. When that time comes…I'll make you regret catching me."
"I can release you," Josh repeated.
"And where would I go, human? Live out in the wild with the rest of my race. Wait. I remember. NO OTHER ONE IS ALIVE. Even if they were, they will be with trainers. So I'm back to square one. Are you happy now?"
"Not exactly, but you can trust me. Trust me just once. I'm not going to make a fool out of you."
"Are you trying to negotiate....what was it, Josh? Negotiate away because I have no choice."
"You're not a slave to me. You always have a choice."
"Nice saying..." he laughed coldly. " But remember. Choices aren't always one leading in the right and one leading to the wrong."
"So you're staying...." Josh remarked.
"Staying? Sure I presume I am. Just remember, "master" that I can kill..."
"Anything can, Blacktooth," Josh's voice turned to that of a murderer himself.
"So you have killer intent too? You might be more interesting than I thought."
The connection was suddenly cut like it had been snipped by scissors. Blacktooth had nothing more to say to Josh and Josh likewise. It felt more like creating a ceasefire more than a friendship. But at least Blacktooth was listening. That was the first steps.
Josh finally opened his eyes. He wanted to talk to Volt once more but he knew that it would be better if they actually got to Vermilion City first. Josh found himself being stared at by both Katrine and Romy. Josh wondered how long have they been there just standing there. It was kind of creepy but Josh found no need tell them that. Instead he had something more important to say.
"THAT WAS AWESOME!" Josh shouted, leaving the rest of the Main Street staring at him like he was some mad man. He retreated to the shadows.
"I know, right!" Romy excited but in a lower tone.
"Oh my goodness, you two," Katrine said as though the Pokevoyace was a normal thing.
"I'll tell you all about it on Route 6, Romy."
"I have a lot to tell you too, Josh. It was so exciting."
"Remember. Charge the Pokevoyace at any Poke Center when you can," Katrine turning back towards the headquarters.
"No problem."
With that in mind, Josh and Romy headed off to Vermilion City. Katrine looked over her shoulder as the two trainers shared conversation. It was good to see them talk.
*
Cinnabar Island Laboratories
"Looks like the police are here..." Jiro said as he sat within the window pane.
"We better get out of here!" Fleur said looking among the bodies that skewed across the blue tiled floor.
"No no no. I think I'll be the one to handle this. Just promise that you two can get away. Meet me at the boat."
"Gabriel. Two Interpol police members is way above your head," Jiro's voice was unchanged.
"Over my head…" Gabriel paused. He couldn't believe he just said that. "I think not. Let me handle them. You two just skedaddle away. Oh, by the way, Fleur. You have blood all over your neck. Treat Nosferasu a treat somewhere else."
Fleur surprisingly just glance over her shoulder as the purple bat with a set of four wings sipped away at her blood. She just pet the bat happily as the bat drank its meal from the girl's neck. Its red iris of its eyes shined the same color as the blood it was drinking. She returned the Crobat to his pokeball before wiping the remaining blood from her neck with a small white handkerchief from her purse. Jiro eyed her gawkily; he didn't know what exactly to say to something like that.
"Jiro, Let us go if he thinks he can handle the Interpol," Fleur said delicately almost mockingly.
"I'm more than sure I can handle them both. Come on. What you saw was against straggly scientist? I was just playing with them," Gabriel put his hand on his face and tapped it.
Fleur was stunned at that statement. The fact that scientist wasn't exactly the greatest battlers with their Kadabras, did not downplay the fact that he was fighting at a type disadvantage.
"What kind of monster was this Gabriel person any way?" Fleur stated. It was something about him. Something about when he flicked that platinum blonde hair as he fought. He was enjoying killing these men. It was filling the thirst in his eyes.
"Why didn't you use your other pokemon?" Fleur asked.
"Rainey against generic Kadabras," Gabriel seemed genuinely appalled by the statement. "Please, Fleur, keep you insults to yourself. You were working at a disadvantage too you know."
"Demetrio doesn't like close space nor does Alexia. So, Nosferasu was my only choice. Besides, he knows Dark Pulse," Fleur said 'Dark Pulse' like it was saying 'unicorn'.
"I guess that makes sense," Gabriel had to admit Dark Pulse with Nasty Plot was dastardly combination. "But don't question my motives again. I'm one for the challenge and the challenge was to be Psychic types with a Fighting type. Simple as pie," Gabriel paused. "Well I don't make pie but whatever. It's easy. Just leave now. I will handle the two goon of the KRPD."
Jiro grabbed Fleur from the ground and placed her upon his back. He leaped out of the two story window of the science lab and proceeded to the boat towards the bay area. Gabriel had to admit, for a man well over the two-hundred pound mark, he was like a ninja. Gabriel only could imagine Fleur's reactions. It was sad that he would have to contemplate on something more important that moment.
The door was forced open showing Gabriel in the room with a blood pouring down the slicked floors. Gabriel studied the two officers to find that neither of them was Josh. He found himself subconsciously disappointed at the revelation. However, he did recognize one of however, Nick Guerrero. Gabriel remembered him from a press conference on television one time in which he told the public about the wild arson on the loose. He despised him for making him look like a sadist. The other man, Gabriel had not recognized.
The man was of a sickly white completion like no sun could have ever reached it. He had short shaved hair with a receding hair line. He was smaller man though his body seemed rather toned for a man his age. His eyes, a cold dark color, mixed between the black of a midnight sky and a blue of the deep sea. Around his chin was a scruffy graying beard that interceded with his cheeks. He was dress simply in a long black shirt and black jeans. Gabriel found him unsightly.
"Who are you?" Gabriel pointed towards the newer (or previously unseen) officer.
"Are you the one that did this?"
"I didn't do ALL of this. But I did most. So what's your name?" Gabriel acted as that was just something you can casually enter into a conversation.
"You're Gabriel Kirk, the famous Coordinator for the Hoenn Region, correct. That's a surprising, don't you say?" the bearded man continued to talk.
"That is correct. But since you know that information, I can't let either of you live. So one last time what is your name, sir?" Gabriel eyes flashed with devilish intentions.
"For you, my name is Justice…" Justice bowed.
"Justice, do not him lightly. We have to handle them together. Naomi couldn't douse his flames," Nick finally spoke.
"See how he handles this. Uriel! You have been chosen...." Justice said.
A black ball released from the man's cold hands and slammed into the ground. From the unique black smoke that emitted from the pokeball came a charcoal black dog. The black dog appeared to have had skeletons all over its body; thin bones on its back, skull around the neck, white rings around its legs, and white horns. Its devil tail wrapped around its masters leg and stood proudly waiting its command.
"A Houndoom," Gabriel stared at the dog for a couple more moments. "Don't you think that you're overconfident? I have the type advantage..."
"You destroy Kadabras with Combusken. Do not be pompous enough to think that I cannot do the same," Justice spoke.
"I presume this is a thing of skill," Gabriel took this time to catch his breath. "Nick," he began. "You've been uniquely quiet. Does a Skitty have your tongue?"
"There is nothing to say. I'm going to stop you here," Nick kept his statement short.
"Then throw out your pokemon, tough guy," Gabriel said hunching and taunting Nick with his finger.
"Jolty...you're in."
Nick threw his pokeball into the air and a pokemon lunged from it to the ground. It was another dog-like creature but this one appeared to be much smaller than the Houndoom. Its body was covered with spiky yellow fur aside from the spiky white collar. It had sharp black eyes that looked up at his master. It felt unsure for some reason. Like something was bothering it.
"Jolty...something wrong," Nick asked.
"It knows it going to lose, today," Gabriel said pulling two of his pokeball from his side.
"Do you think we are going to give you a chance to throw your pokeball? Uriel, Flamethrower."
But before the flames ever reached close to Gabriel, the long body of Rainy the Gorebyss blocked the attack. Uriel was quickly counterattacked by Fire Punch but the flames were quickly absorbed by Uriel's
Flash Fire. Zuri jumped backward when she found that it had that ability; it quickly struck back with a Dark Pulse sending Zuri reeling. Zuri was virtually unharmed, but the attack was only to show that in fact it could attack as well.
"Very nice, your Houndoom has Flash Fire. That's all I needed to know..." Gabriel said flicking his hair.
"To know that your pokemon can take Dark Pulses is a good hint as well."
"But can your Gorebyss take a Thunderbolt?" Nick asked pointing to the Gorebyss.
The Jolteon quickly closed in and stuck a powerful thunderbolt towards Gabriel and Rainy who was still wrapped are his trainer. Gabriel dodged the attack along with Rainy. In response, Rainy performed a powerful ice beam. The attack wasn't aimed at Jolty at all but was aimed at Nick who had to avoid it by rolling out of the way.
"An eye for an eye..." Gabriel shrugged.
"Touché..." Justice was the one that said it even though he wasn't the one that was attacked.
"Honestly guys. I do have boat to catch. So I can't play for so long. Zuri, Brick Break. Gorebyss, Water Pulse.
"Uriel, Hidden Power Ice!"
"Thunderbolt, Jolty."
Gabriel's two pokemon lunged into action. Uriel and Jolty performed the two attacks together while Gabriel put his creativity to good use. Rainy had shot the rings of water into something similar to a geyser to get Zuri higher to avoid the attacks instead of Rainy attacking himself. Zuri dived down to Uriel to strike him with a powerful descending chop. Though the attack was a super-effective strike, the dark pokemon kept his stance strongly. The frustration was settling in Gabriel's face. His normally passive expression had changed to complete anger.
"I'm sorry I can't have this anymore..." the frustration had leaked into Gabriel's voice now.
Gabriel's himself lunged towards Nick within a blindly speed. He suddenly appeared behind him and whispered a set of words with his ear.
"
I'm done playing….die…" Gabriel's voice turned to that a demon.
"Damn it…" Nick whispered lowly.
Before Nick could react, Gabriel had stabbed him in the back with his claw like nails induced with flames. Nick looked down for a couple of moments to realize that blood with dripped from his stomach. He suddenly felt weaker and it began to burn. Gabriel removed his hand before the man fell to the ground in his own pool of blood. His entire forearm was covered in warm blood. He just watched maliciously smirking, licking the man's blood from his fingertips.
Justice quickly withdrew Uriel from the battle to tend to his partner's body. He was in pretty bad shape now. Justice clinched his teeth as he looked at Nick's breathing became harder and harder trying to gain air. Gabriel shrugged before dashing towards the window.
"Well well. Two interpol was a bit too much for me. Too bad I couldn't have taken a better way out," Gabriel's voice was back to his normal carefree one.
"I will get you."
"No. No. No. I don't think so, Mr. Justice. Tell Josh that was a gift."
Justice quickly began calling the paramedics allowing Gabriel to get away. Nick's life was more important than capturing Gabriel at the time. At least they knew it was Gabriel now. He began working the best that he could with his bloodied patient laying motionless on the ground.
*
"Dad I'm home!"
Before Josh could even knock, his dad flung the door open of the gym. He observed Josh then observed Romy. The thought of them possibly being a couple (even though they weren't) never crossed his mind. People often assumed when he and Yuki, Josh's mom, were going out when they first was seen together. So, he never assumed others to be. But the fact that he did marry that woman that he considered his "partner" was kept close in his mind as well.
"Is this your partner?" Surge asked staring at the young lady.
"I am. Rosemary Kimura. But you can call me, Romy."
"Okay, Romy," Surge said her name with an exclusive charm. "Come in. Josh, I'm cutting your hair, it's becoming long." In fact, Josh's hair had become rather shaggy in just a month or so. Romy kind of liked it but it was obvious that Josh didn't like it. It obscured his vision.
Surge examined Romy once more. He was impressed with the young lady. Not many of people had a strong stance like she did. It was very womanly and it doubled as one of strength. He felt like she would be a perfect match for Josh if he actually knew how to pursue a lady. But her face was striking familiar, though. The last name felt familiar as well. Like distant memory, Surge quickly shoved the thought aside.
Surge disappeared into the gym which allowed Romy and Josh to follow. The traps was thankfully inactivate because that would have left an impression that Josh didn't want. To Romy, it just looked like Surge had many silver poles concreted into the ground. Josh gave a breath of relief.
Josh had noticed that his dad was less than his normal self. He was rather withdrawn than normal. The volume of his voice was low to the ground and he couldn't maintain eye contact, something that he preached about. His stance was that of Josh's when he was upset. His shoulders were slumping ever so slightly. Josh knew something was wrong.
"Did something happen?" Josh asked.
"No..." Surge caught himself lying. "Sabrina came just before you did. I'm still a bit reeling."
"Why Sabrina," Josh asked.
"Her along with Koga from Fuchsia City were part of the Rocket Triad. That was including me of course."
Josh took a while to process that. So they were the three top members of Team Rocket. Josh's heart wrenched leaving him to close his eyes. Surge was obviously upset about this too since his cold blue eyes became warmer. This conversation couldn't be avoided any more. The invisible fissure had become noticeable and it was time to mend it.
"Why were you with Team Rocket?"
"It was my mistake. I couldn't fill the violent void that consumed my body after the war so I went to Giovanni. I became a monster until your mom came in my life to change my life. Unfortunately…she paid that price…not me. "
"I-"
Josh could understand. Postwar trauma was something that was common, the traps was contest to this fact. Josh just smiled it off. What his dad saw in the battlefield was things that he couldn't shake off. Violence was all he knew at the time and joining Team Rocket would have been a way to get rid of the pain. Josh knew that was the truth because he had seen his dad wake up in the middle of his nights in a cold sweat.
"I understand, dad. It's nothing for you to worry about. I'm not mad at you."
"You're the greatest son a man could have," Surge said holding back tears.
"You're crying...with guest around," Josh smirked.
Surge quickly shook off the tears before they could form and escaped to the other side of the gym to the bathroom. Josh went to the chair on the other side of the gym, which his dad normally sits at, and sat in it. It was a comfortable seat since Surge had to sit until a trainer would challenge him.
"Hey dad," Josh sounded.
"Yeah!" he responded.
"Want to see Volt and Blacktooth?"
"Hell. Sure."
Surge quickly entered back into the main room with the black clippers and a black and yellow towel in hand. Josh quickly grabbed the two pokeballs from his side and threw them. Volt and Blacktooth appeared before Josh. Volt eyed Surge a bit before closing its eyes in amusement. Surge was surprised seeing the Electabuzz so strong and with a battle scar at that.
Blacktooth withdrew itself to studying Lt. Surge from a distance. For some reason, it felt the bloodlust radiating from Lt. Surge.
"I guess an apology is in order, Volt," Surge said looking the Electabuzz, kneeling down. "You are doing a great job protecting my son, as an Elekid and an Electabuzz. I have a present for you."
Surge placed the towel and the clippers on the floor and pulled out a dog tag necklace from his pocket. He placed it around Volt's neck and it gazed at it. He seemed to enjoy the memento since it toyed with it between his claws before giving a smile of its own.
"You remind me much of my Electabuzz before I released it back into the wild. I thank you."
Volt nodded his head, he seemed to like Surge a lot compared to the last time where he tried to fight him. Surge hugged the Electabuzz tightly before picking the haircutting items back up. He proceeded to the chair that Josh was sitting at and flipped it over causing Josh to slam on the ground. Romy's eyes widened. "
Is this child abuse?" Josh got up quickly and kicked his dad in the knees. "
I guess not...." Romy finished the thought. Surge put the chair back on all fours and Josh sat cross-legged by his dad's feet.
Surge placed the towel around his son's neck before plugging the clippers into the wall.
"May I recommend something, Josh?" Romy said suddenly.
"Sure," what exactly Romy was going to recommend had him puzzled.
"How about military style mohawk?" she threw it out there.
"Hm..." Surge stroked his chin. "I like the sound of that.
"Where is my opinion? It's my hair!" Josh shouted. "Okay. Okay. I'll try it."
Before Josh could hardly finish his sentence, Surge was well on his way to create a mohawk for Josh. He saw threads of his blonde hair fall in front of his face. Surge was a beast with clippers, so Josh found himself worried at first. But as quickly as he started it, it was done. Surge wiped the hair from his pants before standing up. Surge took the black towel, amazingly keeping all the hair that the towel caught intact. Surge disposed of the hair and came back with a mirror.
Josh liked the hair cut a lot after seeing it. The slicked blonde mohawk made him look rather different. He seemed to be a little older with it. Besides, anything was better than the mop of blonde that he had on his head before.
"How do you like it?" Josh asked Romy.
'F-fine. Just fine..."
Josh didn't notice it but Surge did. The girl was beet red. She wouldn't have recommended it she didn't like it. Josh was just obscenely oblivious. Surge wouldn't have recognized himself if he wasn't married before. He just laughed it off.
"Hey, Josh!" Surge said suddenly making Romy turn even redder. "Don't worry, it's not about you Romy." She sighed in relief leaving Josh confused on the transaction. "Drake left a present for you at my request."
Surge placed a steel blue pokeball in Josh's face leaving Josh to just look at it. Out of nowhere he snatched it. It was obviously a Hoenn pokemon but which one. It wasn't something that would grow up to be a weak pokemon. That just wasn't Drake kind of thing. He tames Dragon pokemon so weakness was completely out of the question. Josh couldn't wait so he threw the pokeball.
Romy gasped from seeing the pokemon but Josh didn't know exactly what to think of the small thing. It was steel type obviously by its steel blue body. It had a long body and appeared to be something of dumbbell. The only real defining feature of this pokemon was that it had a one large red eye. Josh wondered what it was for a couple moments while Romy walked around it envious.
"It's a BELDUM!" Romy shouted all of a sudden.
"Beldum?" Josh knew then that pokemon from other regions wasn't exactly his strong point.
"Beldum is a psychic and steel type pokemon. Beldum uses magnetism by the magnetic waves coursing through its body like blood. He can communicate using these magnetism charges."
"Wow....kind of like dad's Magneton?"
"Just like my Magneton son. He told me that he brought it to Sinnoh first to teach it Zen Headbutt, Iron Head, and Iron Defense because Beldum's movepool isn't greatest at this level."
"Hm.. .Interesting. I'm naming Bradley," Josh named it out of the blue.
"Why?" Romy asked slightly confused.
"It's a tank name from the American Army," Surge explained.
"Looks like Surges know their wars," Romy said shrugging.
Bradley the Beldum looked at Volt and Blacktooth for a while. It seemed to be trusting of Volt but the complete opposite of Blacktooth. Josh was slightly amused at the glares this Beldum was giving Blacktooth. It was a very animated steel pokemon. Josh enjoyed having a party of pokemon. It brought flavor to his life.
The inside of Josh's pocket began to rumble. Puzzled in what exactly could be vibrating in his pocket, he took it out. It was the Pokevoyace but it was ringing like a telephone. Did Katrine forget to tell him that it doubled as a phone too? Josh grabbed it and stared it for some time.
"Press Talk, son," Surge said with a look of sarcasm written on his face.
Josh saw the green button with the word talk spewed across it—Josh gave himself a face palm. He pressed the button and put the device to his ear. He was met by a somber voice on the other side of the line; it was almost like the person's was crying. It was Katrine.
"Katrine," Josh questioned the voice on the other end.
"Josh! Oh thank heavens you figured it out!"
"
Uh...do I look that incompetent with technology?" Josh asked himself before speaking; he thought he had least looked compatible. "What's wrong?"
"Nick is in the hospital. He's in critical condition. I don't know what's going to happen to him."
"Katrine, calm yourself."
"O-okay," Katrine's voice was becoming broken with her sobbing.
"Where is he?"
"They are transferring him now from Cinnabar Island's hospital to Celadon. You can meet us there."
"Got it."
Josh pressed the red button on the side and stuffed the Pokevoyace back into his pocket. Romy and Surge as well as many of the pokemon waited for his response. But Josh had fallen silent. Josh felt something astray even more than Nick being in the hospital. He could feel something astray about the entire thing. It made him angry in a way that hasn't been. He could feel it bloom like a flowers within the springtime.
"Nick....is in the hospital...." Josh's voice, it was a unique blend of hot and cold—lukewarm.
"W-what?" Romy clutched her shoulder.
"He's in bad shape apparently. They are taking him to Celadon hospital...."
"Son. Go now. You obvious are caring for this person...." Surge knew this by the invisible ink that dripped from his son's face.
"I'm going. Blacktooth."
Blacktooth's sharp eyes darted towards Josh. Josh shot an "I will kill you right now" glare back and Blacktooth withdrew his. It almost like he feared Josh for a moment there. Josh returned both Volt and Bradley to their pokeballs and swung the door of the Gym open. Both Romy and Surge turned towards each other; they never felt a wind like that before. It felt like an evil just broke through, searching for blood. "
My god…." Romy thought. She followed him out of the gym.