The Children Are Hunted

Marcus stopped outside of the gym.
"Well, here it is!" Marcus said. He looked around.
"Huh? I thought for sure that Thomas would be here. Well, I guess he had a lot to talk about with them. You want to go in and meet Blitz?" he said.

Thomas was driven to a private airfield. He was hustled into a jet, which took off as soon as he was in it. He claimed a seat for himself. Morgan sat down watching him.
"Oh, come on! I'm not going to jump out of the plane! Relax!" Thomas said. Morgan ignored him. An hour later, the jet touched down. Thomas was led into a building. A black uniform was thrust at him, which he changed into without a fuss. He lined up his pokemon on the special belt they gave him. A headband was included to keep his hair out of his eyes. Carlson walked into the room after he was done.
"Welcome!" he said unsincerely. Thomas ignored him.
"Fine, let's not waste time with greetings. Your first mission is to bring us your friend. He is at the New York gym. Use any means needed!" Carlson said. Thomas nodded. He was handed an earpiece, which he put in without a fight. He figured that was so they could keep tabs on him and be sure he obeyed them. They didn't need it. He had no intention of putting his family and friends in danger.
 
Zoran smiled placidly and nodded, finally lifting his hands from his pockets to wipe something black from them. "Let's go," he told the boy. "I want to hurry up and win, so Doom can evolve afterward. Right?" The Houndour's Pokeball shook in agreement. His cell phone went off. "Aw heck..." He flipped it open. "Mickey, what's the matter... oh okay... Yeah, I wasn't planning on it... sure. Bye." He hung up. "He's too over protective." Zoran gestured to Marcus. "Shall we?" Zaria looked strangely upset but nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck.
 
Marcus nodded and led Zoran into the gym.
"Hey, Blitz! I brought another one for you to battle!" Marcus yelled. The lights in the gym turned on, and Blitz was standing at his end of the gym. Marcus took his pot on the sidelines.
(Blitz is all yours!)

Thomas flew to the gym. He jumped off of Razor's back and landed on the roof. He decided to wait until Zoran came out. He had a plan of what to do, but he hoped Zoran would play along.
"What are you doing? Go get him!" Carlson said in his ear.
"Don't tell me what to do! I'm doing this my way! I'm not going to interupt a gym battle!" Thomas said. Carlson was quiet. Thomas settled down to wait for him.
 
"So you're my challenger hm?" the man asked lightly. "How many badges?"

"Just one, I'm afraid," Zoran replied casually. "I'm too isolated to have real transportation outside of my state boundaries until recently." The man laughed. He liked this kid.

"Well then, it's a two-on-two."

"Okay then," Zoran hummed. "Let's get started then!"

"Go on Emolga!" Out came a white-and yellow flying squirrel. Zoran grinned.

"Perfect! Sparx, go on!" Out popped the Luxio, who began to growl ferally. Emolga instantly began to shy away, looking sccared.

"Intimidate," Blitz mused. "Tricky but it's fine. Spark!" THe Pokemon charged forward, firing electricity."

"Tackle!" Sparx ran into the attack, knocking Emolga out of her flight pattern. "Ice Fang!" Her fangs shined blue and she sank them into the Pokemon's side. Emolga screeched and tried to shake Sparx off. Yet the Pokemon clung, swinging her into the ground.

"Your Luxio's resilient," Blitz muttered.

"She has aggression to work off," Zoran said cheerily. "Besides, we aren't wasting time today." Emolga broke free but she looked strangely incensed, soaring back at Sparx rapidly. Sparx dodged elegantly, moving back until Emolga hit her chest. They kept dancing in this fashion for a while before Emolga sent Sparx flying. Then Sparx got back up again on her hind legs.

Emolga grinned and surrounded herself in Spark, charging. Sparx smiled darkly and pinned the squirrel to the ground, sinking her icy fangs this time close to the throat. Emolga froze, almost literally, looking rather scared. Then the icy pain overwhelmed her and she passed out.

Blitz winced and returned her. "Your Pokemon could have killed Emolga. Your Luxio was aiming for vitals."

Zoran shook his head, gently calling Sparx back. "She knows better. And that's why it ended so fast, because she was aimed for places small attacks could really hurt."

Blitz blinked and couldn't help his grin. This kid was crafty too. "You really aren't wasting time. Go Manectric!"

Zoran smiled. "Why would I? Cody, let's wrap this up!" The Marshtomp leapt out, looking confused. There's no mud here! What's going on? Oh, Gym battle. Finally!
 
Thomas was waiting again. He hated waiting. Yet he always seemed to do just that. Waiting for Zoran, ha! That was a good one! Razor chirped at him. He reached out and pet her. He had called out all his pokemon, except Esper. He couldn't risk Esper being sensed by Zaria. He wasn't sure it worked like that, but he couldn't be sure. So he waited. Knowing Zoran and his thirst for battle, he wouldn't have to wait long.

"Go Zoran! You got him on the run!" Marcus yelled. He loved watching his friends battle. He was still curious as to what had happened to Thomas. After the gym battle, he decided to go look for him.
 
Zaria mumbled. "This Gym Leader's kinda weak."

"Not his fault Zari," the boy replied. "Cody, Mud Shot!" It was dodged, Cody was a rather slow Pokemon.

"Quick Attack!" Blitz ordered and the Manectric obeyed, attacking over and over. Cody frowned and then fired a Mud Shot again, this a direct hit. Manectric skidded backwards. "This will be over even faster than the first one."

Zoran flushed. "Sorry, typing really sucks sometimes."

"No, no it's fine. People usually forget about Marshtomp and its resistance to electricity." Seeing Manectric charge again, the man sighed. "Yep. That was rather... depressing." Zoran flushed again as Cody knocked Manectric nearly off the battlefield.

"Cody!" he called. "It's fine, you're done!" He sighed. "Geez." Zaria giggled. "He's a maniac."

"More like obliviously vengeful." Zoran laughed, turning to the Gym Leader.

"Maybe we should have a rematch sometime." Blitz smiled and walked over to him.

"We probably should. I have to admit, I've seen few trainers quite so deadly as you at any skill level. Even with type advantages, it's rare for someone to beat a leader's Pokemon with two attacks."

Zoran shook his head quietly. "I made sure my Pokemon and I could do that. I don't like the idea of dragging things out." He took the badge with a small smile and Zaria smiled quietly. Only her brother would feel guilt for victory.
 
Marcus ran over to Zoran.
"Great job! You really showed him!" Marcus said with glee.
"Still, where is Thomas! I thought he'd show up by now!" Marcus said, looking around as though he was going to jump out of the shadows at him. He didn't appear, and Marcus sighed.

Thomas returned his pokemon. He could see Marcus about to exit the gym. That could only mean that Zoran was done with his battle. Thomas called his pokemon back, except for Razor. It was almost time.
 
"Something's probably wrong," Zaria mumbled and her brother shrugged, releasing Doom, who was trembling. "Doom, are you okay?"

"He wants to evolve. He's only got a couple more levels left." Waving farewell to Blitz, he followed Marcus out. A chill went down his spine. Something was about to happen. He shrugged, letting a bit of adrenaline bubble up under his skin. Should be interesting.
 
"Now, Razor!" Thomas said. Razor flew down and picked up Zoran by his shoulders. Marcus gasped in surprise. She flew back to Thomas, who leapt on her back.
"Hey, Zoran! You win your gym badge? Call back Doom, you'll need him," Thomas said. Razor flew around until Zoran called his pokemon back. Thomas pointed at a building. It was about 12 floors high. An office building, probably.
"Up on that roof, Razor!" he said to her. She flew up to the roof he had chosen.
"Tuck and roll, Zor!" Thomas yelled as Razor dropped him. She landed at the other side of the roof, and Thomas jumped off her back. He turned to face his confused friend and opponent.
"You must have some questions. Before we battle, I'll answer them if I can!" Thomas said. He smiled at Zoran.
 
Zoran examined him for a moment then smiled faintly with a sigh. "You're in a mood to battle right now? Or... there's something else..." He shrugged. "I guess it's fine Thomas. You want to fight, I'll give you a battle. Though I'm sure there's a cost. Whatever."

"Zora!" Zaria hissed. "This is serious."

"So what if it is?" he replied and looked at his Pokemon. "You can use your full team if you want or it can be three on three. It doesn't really matter." He stared at Thomas with indifferent eyes. "Pick your partner and let's get started."
 
"You aren't even curious? I'm a little dissapointed, Zoran. Fine, I'll explain. I'm working for the AAPM now. I've been tasked to use whatever means are required to bring you to them. So, I'll ask you, although I know what the answer is, if you will come quietly! I hope you don't, but it's your choice!" Thomas said. He wanted to hear Zoran's answer before they fought. He had to make him mad enough to absolutely stomp Thomas's team. So he waited, petting Razor, making her trill happily.
 
Zoran stared at him then laughed, a cold, harsh sound. "You really don't know me very well. I said this the day we met. I told you I won't take them and their abuse lying down." His eyes burned dully. "I have someone to protect," he said simply. "I won't lose, against enemy or ally. I won't be beaten down again." The light kept fading from his eyes and he nodded. "So send out your Pokemon so I can end this already." He yawned. "I can tell by your face: it will be a boring battle."

Zaria appeared in front of him for a moment. She glanced back at Thomas, her gaze that of a stranger. Then she nodded to herself. "Just beat him Zora or I'll do it."

Zoran chuckled. "You probably could Zari." His sister was ticked, that was for sure. He didn't want to be angry right now. It would wear him out.
 
Thomas smiled. He had done it. Zoran was surprisingly easy to provoke. Good thing that was true. Thomas would try his hardest, and if Zoran thought he was coerced into this, then Zoran might hesitate. That would make him lose. And if he lost, Thomas would have no choice but to bring him in. If Zoran won, Thomas could flee, and Zoran and Thomas's family would stay safe.
"Deluge, let's make this quick!" Thomas said with a grin.
 
Zoran frowned. He really didn't want to do this... it wouldn't be fun. He sighed. "Ah darn... Sparx, you okay enough for this?" The Pokeball shook and he nodded. "Okay, go on, and fight." He released Sparx, who glared at him for a second and yowled angrily. Zoran nodded once and bowed his head as Sparx glared now at her opponent. "Go ahead and make your move. Sparx, stay still." The creature instantly obeyed.
 
"Use Water Gun!" Thomas yelled. Deluge leapt up into the air and sprayed water all over the place. Thomas shot Zoran a cocky grin. He knew what Zoran was thinking. He was trying to determine the fastest way to beat him. Thomas wasn't going to let it happen that fast. Even if the AAPM hadn't been hanging over his shoulder, Thomas would still have given this battle his all. He loved battling, and this one would likely be his toughest yet!
 
Zoran looked at him as though he were stupid. "You should step back," the boy murmured. "Or you'll be killed. Spark." Electricity burst from Sparx's body, being conducted through the puddles of water now all over the field. Zoran watched it and closed his eyes a moment afterward. "Sparx, that was too weak," he scolded. "It only could have caused mild agony." The Pokemon rolled her eyes as the electricity turned blue.
 
Thomas jumpedf onto the edge of the building when the Luxio started sparking. Thomas had a plan.
"Now, use Ice Beam!" Thomas shouted. Deluge again froze all the water into ice. Thomas knew Deluge knew how to move in icy conditions. He didn't know if Sparx did or not.
"Great job, Deluge. Now it's time to attack! Ice Beam!" Thomas shouted. Deluge landed on the ice and shot a bright blue beam toward where Sparx was standing.
 
Sparx leapt back, dodging expertly to land in front of her trainer. She was used to ice, more than her species should be. She gave him a look and he shrugged and nodded. "Roar." Sparx grinned at this, letting out a wild roar that echoed across the city sky."I want a challenge today," Zoran told Thomas, examining him. "The Gym Leader wasn't one, sadly."
 
Thomas shrugged as Deluge was overpowered by the Roar. He grinned as Volt came out. Having never seen how Volt acted in front of the Luxio, Thomas figured that this would be simple. Volt could ground himself and not be effected by Electric attacks because of his Lightning Rod ability.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll have more than you can deal with!" Thomas said, "Volt! Use Discharge!"
Thomas stared in disbelief. Volt did use Discharge, but didn't target anything. He sent the blue colored electricity all around him as he gave what was unmistakably a grin to the Luxio opposite of him.
 
Zoran sighed. "I guess you didn't know. Your Volt likes my Sparx a lot. Sparx, are you still going to fight?" Sparx growled her agreement. "Okay then, that wouldn't be a fair fight. You can switch if you want Thomas." Zaria laughed and groaned. He wasn't taking this seriously at all was he?
 
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