A Little Adventure in Alola

Chapter 6
-
Rescue Party - Pt.1

“Another dead end!” Jessie shouted, stomping the ground in frustration before kicking aside an empty, old barrel. An abandoned power plant stood tall in the background.

“But Ace swore that Pikachu was hiding somewhere inside,” Meowth said before glancing at the imprisoned and blindfolded Raichu, whose tail and belly were tightly wound by ropes and in the tight hold of Mimikyu’s long shadowy hand. Old bite marks and scratches were still scattered across his body, while new ones were added by the hour.

<He’s inside. Y-you j-just didn’t s-search h-hard enough,> Ace muttered, trembling whenever a shadowy claw scratched his neck.

“We just didn’t search hard enough, where have I heard that before?” Meowth asked as he held his paws at his sides, eyes narrowing in frustration.

James, standing next to Mimikyu, slapped the Raichu in the head. “You said the same when you told us he was hiding in the abandoned vacation resort on Akala, and then told us he was hiding at the dock of Ula’ula before swearing he was at the trash-utilization center.” He looked at damaged uniform on his arm. “Those Alolan Grimers and Muks bite really hard, you know.”

Mimikyu wrapped his shadowy hand around Ace’s neck, squeezing it. <Maybe we should’ve just thrown this stupid liar into a Muk’s jaw. It would teach him not to waste our time.>

<P-p-please n-n-no,> Ace said, gasping for air as the claw wrapped around his neck tightened, before lifting him higher and dangling him above the ground. <C-can’t b-b-breathe!>

Jessie ran over and yanked the pokemon by his golden ear, which only tightened the hold on his neck. “Now listen here you stupid Raichu! I can tell you’re terrified and aware of your situation, and you know full well what we’ll do with you if you keep sending us on these pointless searches. Either you are incredibly brave or incredibly foolish.”

<S-s-stop… p-please…> he said in a squeaky voice, his face turning an alarming shade of blue.

Jessie threw the Raichu onto the ground while Mimikyu loosened the hold on his neck. “If you keep lying to us, I can guarantee that Mimikyu will lose his patience and personally introduce you to the Z-move we practiced last week. So unless you want to face horrors beyond your imagination, just spill the beans!”

Mimikyu lowered his fake head and whispered, <I’ll do it. As long as you stay between me and that coward, you’ll get no mercy.>

“Why do you even protect him?” Meowth asked as he crossed his hands. “Did you two became great pals or something? Why risk your neck for him?”

<B-because…> Ace responded as Mimikyu raised the Raichu to upright position. <B-because…> He gulped. <Because he’s a great hero! And because my sis loves him!> The moment Mimikyu pressed one claw against his neck, he plead in squeaky voice, <M-mercy… please...>

Meowth sighed. “You look as if you’re going to wet yourself at any moment. How can someone be so spineless and yet so brave at the same time?” He blinked in confusion before his eyes became wide. “Wait, Pikachu has another admirer? Didn’t he have a few already?” He placed paws on his sides and narrowed his eyes. “How many hearts is this charmer going to break?”

Not wasting a moment, he grabbed the device as a hologram of his boss popped to life before him.

“B-boss!” Jessie shouted before jumping towards her partner, standing at attention and saluting.

“How can we be of service?” James asked, staring back with a mix of fear and respect.

“Are you three still at your station at Thrifty Megamart? I am currently chasing after my arch nemesis and I need you to set up a blockade on the beach. No matter what, Astra isn’t allowed to reach Tapu Town. I need her stopped no matter the cost!”

The rocket members looked at each other, beads of sweat falling down their faces as they made eye contact with one another and gave a few nervous chuckles.

The boss sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration. “Where the heck are you morons now?”

“We were looking for Ash’s Pikachu so we could catch him for you,” Jessie said, sweating.

Meowth pointed at the imprisoned Raichu. “But Ace here lied to us. Otherwise we’d already have him wrapped in a bow for you.”

“B-but don’t worry, Boss, we’ll get to Tapu Town immediately,” James reassured.

Jassie raised the pokemon for her boss to see. “Yes, he is. Ace the Alolan Raichu. We captured him at the beach after your… glorious giant was bested by those electric annoyances.”

Meowth added, “We believe that Pikachu was among the pokemon that fought it, but fear not, he’ll be severely punished once we find him.”

Boss narrowed his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows, causing the trio to flinch. “I’ll ask a very important question, and I expect a truthful answer. No excuses,” he spoke with a calm but commanding voice.

“Did you happen to see a female Raichu, Kantonian variant, among those who bested my Ultra Titan?” Giovanni asked, his tone more dead-serious with each word.

James nodded. “Oh, you mean that badly injured Raichu that Ace was carrying around?”

Jessie added, “When we tried to capture them, this Alolan Raichu used ‘Psychic’ to throw her into the Pokemon Center.”

Meowth shrugged. “That was where Ash was at the moment, so we decided to ignore her and focus…”

“You braindead idiots! Useless imbeciles! Incompetent morons! Do you have even the slightest clue of what you have done?!”

“Now listen carefully, because I’ll say this only once.” Giovanni took a deep breath before speaking in irritated tone as his very hologram proved as intimidating as a charging Tauros. “My mortal enemy is Astra, the Pokemon Master who has been hunting the criminal elite for years.” He took another breath. “Aside from having a team of well-balanced and incredibly well trained pokemon, she has a partner. A female Raichu. The most skilled Raichu, maybe even most-skilled pokemon in general, in the world who kept Astra safe, no matter what kind of assasination attempt or ambush we set for them.”

“This Raichu is the most wanted and most valuable pokemon to me, and you fools had her in hand’s reach, injured and for the taking.” He clenched his fists, took a deep breath and shouted, “And you idiots let her go!” The voice from the cellphone pushed the humans pokemon away as the device fell to the ground.

Jessie and James bowed to hologram of their boss, while Meowth’s tail bushed out behind him.

“I don’t care how you do it or what underhanded tactic you implement. I either want this Raichu captured or its’ head on a platter. I don’t care if she’s dead or alive, just get her before Astra does,” Giovanni said with a firm tone. “I’ll keep as much pressure as I can on the Pokemon Master, but even then she may reach the town in between half and a full hour. I’ll personally lead the siege against Tapu Town if she breaks through, but if she reunites with that cursed Raichu, defeating her will become a lot more difficult.”

“I want to talk with Mimikyu in private and take a better look at that Alolan Raichu,” Giovanni ordered. “Scram.”

“At once!” James said before placing the cell phone on the floor in front of Mimikyu and the Raichu he held captive. The trio retreated towards the abandoned power plant for a moment while the boss's attention focused on the two pokemon before him.

“Listen Mimikyu. Even though I equipped those idiots with three of my Ultra Beasts, you’re the only competent member on that team,” Giovanni said before his glance rested on the captured Raichu. “That pokemon in your hold. While he caused a lot of pain to Team Aqua and Team Magma, I don’t care much for him personally, but what’s important is that he’s very important to the partner of the Pokemon Master. If she resists capture, you can use him as a hostage against her to gain an advantage.”

“I want that female Raichu, dead or alive. If you get it done, I’ll give you any reward you desire, be it money, fame or status.”

<Using me against my sister? Don’t you dare...> Ace murmured to himself before his neck once again ended up squeezed, forcing him to hold breath. He was so going to have a lasting mark on his neck at this rate.

Small tears dripped from Nica’s eyes as she found herself ensnared within the Ultra Beast’s long cables. With every breath, they twisted a bit tighter, causing the Raichu to gasp for air and increase her struggles. Every bone seemed to splinter, only causing more agony when the grip around her was tightened, and though she tried to hold it in, a small yelp escaped her.

“Ace? Pikachu? Anyone?” she cried out, before hearing a familiar crackle of electricity beside her.

Through a blurry haze of tears, she glanced to the side and spotted Ace floating beside her. Desperation rushed through her, clouding the fading adrenaline, and she reached out a single paw towards her brother. He stilled, his eyes growing unsure.

“Ace! Please,” she called out again, her cheeks sparking as a foreign burst of energy flowed through her. Gathering as much power as possible, she released a devastating ‘Thunderbolt’ and shocked the cables holding her, watching in satisfaction as they flinched back and loosened her restraints. Using the distraction, she jumped forwards and ran along a wire, closing the distance between herself and her brother.

He remained unmoving, his expression filled with pity as she ran, her heart pumping. She was so close. So close to freedom.

Just a few more jum- She began to think, before an explosion of electricity crashed into her, throwing her off balance and causing her to teeter.

Dangerously close to falling off, she wrapped her tail around the cable she stood on and look to the side, only to find Pikachu glaring back at her. His expression sad, as if devoid of hope.

“Pikachu?” Nica asked, confusion and hurt lacing every word. “What’s going on?”

Pikachu sighed, looking away. “We failed. All our efforts were for nothing.”

“W-what are you talking about?” Nica stuttered, ignoring the cables closing in on her as her gaze stayed focused on Pikachu.

“I mean, look around you. All this destruction and chaos because we weren’t strong enough.” He raised his head, looking back with stare filled with betrayal. “I truly believed you when you said we could do it. I believed in you and your skills, but it seems I overestimated you. Instead to victory, you lead us to our doom.”

Nica paused, gazing around at the landscape surrounding her. The forest was demolished, once flourishing trees crushed either by the Ultra Beast’s steps or the flames dancing around the woodlands. Pokemon lay scattered about, severely injured as their trainers struggled to help them, or laid beside them in conditions similar to their partners. Even Astra and Twilight were among those hurt, huddled together behind a burning tree as they watched the Ultra Beast in fear.

“Fighting by your side was nice while it lasted, but I suppose this is a goodbye,” Pikachu said as Nica could see tears sliding down his cheeks. “If I regret something, it is that I couldn’t see Ash one last time… and tell him… how much our friendship and teamwork meant to me.”

Nica trembled, barely able to stand as guilt somehow surpassed her agony. Did she really fail this badly? She swore to protect Pikachu and help him reunite with Ash, yet in the end she failed to keep her word. All her skills and training failed as she once again couldn’t protect another. No… this time it wasn’t just a father she never met, but a pokemon she admired and maybe even loved. And not just that. So many other pokemon and people perished because of her failure.

Her ears perked upon hearing another spark of lightning. The beast they stood on, its entire body sparked with electricity. She stretched her forepaw towards Pikachu, wanting nothing more than to push him away, but her rear legs refused to move. She grit her teeth, yet failed to unleash any electricity. Screams of pain followed as her hero turned into ash before her very eyes.

Her throat became dry and eyes burst with tears as she no longer cared about the pain. She dedicated most of her life and endless struggle to keep others safe, and yet here she was, dying powerlessly as those she cared about and numerous others perished before her.

In the end her life and all her efforts proved meaningless. And the worst thing was, she wasn’t even given the luxury to die while saving those she cared about.

Eyes snapping open, Nica jumped up and began hyperventilating, gasping for air as if there was no tomorrow. Drops of sweat covered her face.

<It was just a dream, it was just a dream,> she mumbled, desperately trying to calm her racing heartbeat.

She hastily looked around, yet instead of endless ruin and death, she could see that she was lying on a bed with soft white eiderdown providing her rear legs with a pleasant heat. Blinking in confusion, she slowed down her breathing and pushed away whatever mask was attached to her face, which upon closer inspection seemed to provide her with oxygen during her rest. She pushed the eiderdown aside, noticing numerous bandages wrapped over her four legs and belly, while numerous cables were attached to her body as a machine on her left showed her heartbeat and other health-related statistics. Beside a very quick heartbeat rate, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

A Pokemon Center? she thought, recognizing the familiar surroundings. She grimaced a moment later and spit into the trash beside her bed upon noticing the bitter taste of iron in her mouth. She left a bloody stain inside the bin.

She closed her eyes and curled into a trembling ball, holding rear legs close to her belly as memories from her recent battle hit her like a hammer. While she was used to pushing herself harder than any other every single day, even that didn’t prepare her for the recent battle.

I’m f-fine… I’m fine… I’m still in one piece, she thought to herself, taking a moment to push away the trauma. Pikachu, Ace, everyone, they’re safe… they have to be! They… they have to. She closed her eyes, recalling her recent memories.

A wave of electricity that penetrated her most solid defense, two physical attack smashing her from both sides at full force, a grip she couldn't free herself from even with the help of her trusty tail while the giant sucked away her electricity. How long had it been since she faced a challenge and danger of such magnitude?

Even when facing Darkrai’s attempts to break her, even when injured and with a broken leg while facing dehydration, she still managed to keep going through willpower alone. Even when powerless in Fluttershy’s embrace, she didn’t feel this afraid.

One thing was certain. She was so close to embracing death by crushing or drowning as her fate had been left entirely in the paws or hooves of her allies.

At least… at least I took… all those hits… for my friends… she convinced herself, fearing what Pikachu and Ace’s fate would have been if she weren’t there to tank all the damage. She was helpful, yes, she certainly was, nothing like in that horrible nightmare. With agility alone and able to power up and control Pikachu’s electro ball, she was the perfect distraction, buying her allies the time they needed to achieve victory. Yet, against such a large and powerful foe, evasion was key, something she had lost the moment a smaller and very agile beast ambushed her from behind.

Nica loosened up her curled position, peeking from behind her paws at the nurse next to the door. She took a deep breath, trying to relax herself as she pushed herself to a sitting position, staring at the nurse curiously.

Nurse Joy glanced at the big clock on the wall, which showed the time of twenty to four. “Ya slept only fer two and a half hours since ya got here! How is that even possible? Ah was sure yer recovery would take a day in the least.” She gasped, holding a hand in front of her mouth.

Nica glanced at the large clock as her eyes became wide. Two hours and thirty minutes? That’s… that’s half an hour longer than usual. I overslept! She jumped to a standing position, wincing as she still felt some leftover pain in her spine. As long as a Pokemon Center was involved, even after her harshest training routine she needed no more than two hours to fully recover. Was her condition that critical?

“Lie down, will ya? Yer far from healthy!” Nurse Joy shouted in panic as she placed her notepad on the table next to the bed, now using her hands to gently lower the Raichu to a lying position.

Nica didn’t resist, sensing an extreme amount of pity, worry and affection coming from the nurse. The softness the pillow provided for her head and neck was certainly something she gratefully welcomed. M-maybe I’ll rest just an itty bit longer, she thought to herself. After the crushing grip of the titanic beast, this bed feels as soft as the heavens themselves. I hope my friends will forgive me for being a little selfish… Her ears drooped as she felt sadness overcome her heart. Ace… Pikachu… Twilight… Starlight… and Rainbow Dash… please… be alright.

The injured pokemon closed one eye the moment she felt nurse’s hand gently massage her cheek.

“Ah’m not sure what kind of horrors ya endured, ya poor sweetie, but yer safe now. Please relax and rest. No one is goin’ to hurt ya anymore,” Nurse Joy said with a compassionate smile. “Ya have mah word.”

Nica returned the smile as she nuzzled the friendly hand, gladly accepting this gesture of compassion. That’s… a lot of pink on her uniform, and she smells like… apples? Oh right… this is how nurses in Alola look and talk. She grabbed the hand with her bandaged paws, stopping the pleasant massage as she looked at the nurse curiously. <W-where are my friends? What island and town am I on? How is Alola holding up with those beasts roaming around?>

The nurse raised her other hand before rubbing Nica behind her ears. “Ssshhh… yer safe. There’s no need to worry. Just lie down yer cute little head and get some rest.”

Nica released the hand from her hold and sighed. Oh right, no translating collar. She glanced at the notepad left on the table, and then noticed a pen in one of nurse’s pockets.

With movement of her tail, she grabbed the notepad while reaching for the pen with her bandaged paws.

With important equipment now in her paws, she moved the half-written page before writing on an empty one, though finding slight difficulty due to the bandages getting in the way and the lingering pain in her paws.

“Those are important notes, give it back,” the nurse said in panic before pulling the notepad from Nica’s hold. She quickly glanced at her notes before looking at the Raichu in confusion. “Ya can write?”

The nurse scratched the back of her neck, thinking for a moment before handing over the notepad. “Alright… but stay away from mah notes, got it?”

The nurse read her writing a moment later, ignoring a few little mistakes and the off-line writing. “Yer on Ula’ula island in Pokemon Center located in Tapu Town,” she answered one of the questions, though not in the order they were asked. “Well… Melemele was hit the hardest, and Ah heard that many key locations in Alola were hit by the beasts and the foundation was taken over. The main town in Akala is being kept safe by the Kahunas though, and our town hasn’t been attacked yet. As for yer friends...” she looked to the side, “Ah can’t tell. Ya were thrown into the Pokemon Center through the window, but no one can tell who threw ya inside.”

<I… see…> Nica lay down, pressing the back of her head into the heavenly pillow. She closed her eyes and massaged her forehead. Think… think…

“Ah need to go now, check on mah other patients. Ah’ll check on yer health soon though. Just take it easy.”

Don’t you dare die! a familiar voice echoed in Nica’s head as she remembered the desperate cries from her brother, begging her to stay alive. <Ace?> she said to herself as she opened her eyes. Her brother saved her from drowning, that was obvious, but why didn’t he take her to the Pokemon Center instead of throwing her inside? Something was clearly wrong.

She glanced at the curtains which covered the window, denying her view of the outside world. I suppose I can just sneak out and search… She shook her head. No, I’ll just make everyone worry. I just need to convince the nurse that I’m fine and ask her more questions. If I’m going to find my trainer, my brother, and my friends, I need clues to go on. She glanced at the clock on the wall and then at the cables on her belly. The nurse mentioned she would check on my health soon. I suppose I should rest a little longer until she returns.

Five minutes soon bled into ten as Nica dozed in pleasant bliss, yet not daring to fall asleep. Wary of her surroundings, her ears twitched, picking up the noise of approaching footsteps.

She opened her eyes and raised her head, her attention focused on the door as she awaited the visitor. Yet… something seemed off. Those didn’t seem to be steps made by a human wearing boots. As the visitor got closer, she narrowed her eyes, sensing a malicious and greedy aura. Whoever was coming didn’t have good intentions in mind. The door opened slightly as a pokemon snuck in. A Kantonian Meowth? she thought as the pokemon before her wasn’t an Alolan variant for sure.

“Well, well, well, who do we have here, an injured Raichu? I found you on my third try, talk about luck.”

Nica blinked in confusion as she looked at the pokemon’s neck, not finding any translating collar.

Nica observed the Meowth curiously, deducing his male gender by voice alone. She watched him jumping onto the bed as he approached her. <Can I help you?>

Meowth chuckled. “Of course you can. Our boss wants seems to want your head on a platter, so let's get this over with. The sooner you come with me, the sooner I can be showered in praise and rewards.” He held his paws together, watching the ceiling with a dreamy smile. “He’s totally going to let me take the place of that pesky Persian after that. I can’t wait!”

The pokemon nodded. “Yes, the boss of Team Rocket.” He exposed his paws, showing his claws before slashing away the cables attached to Nica’s belly. The Raichu winced as a harsh beep sounded, the machine showing that she flatlined. “Now here’s the deal. We were ordered to capture you dead or alive. Personally, I would prefer the second option, and since you’re still tired and wounded, it is in your best interest to cooperate.”

<So if I refuse, you’ll use force or even try to kill me?> Nica asked, her voice low and scared as she decided to take a diplomatic approach.

“Bingo, and don’t think we can’t pull it off. We already captured your brother, and you’re in no shape to fight back.”

<My brother? You mean Ace?> she asked, resisting the urge to unleash her electricity as it sparked beneath her skin. She faked a fearful expression, curling her forepaws under her neck, trembling in fear. She spoke in a squeaky voice, <P-please, d-don’t hurt me.>

“I won’t hurt you as long as you cooperate,” Meowth explained as he helped her stand, slashing away the other cables while pointing at the window. “Just follow me, and if you make one wrong move, you’ll taste my claws, got it?”

“Sure. He’s in our hideout. The boss will appreciate getting two Raichu for the price of one.” He grabbed the bronze edge of Nica’s forepaw, pulling it. “Now get a move on!”

Nica stopped at the edge of the bed, resisting lightly. <W-where are you taking me?>

“To the Megamart where the ghost… hey, why I am telling you this? Just move your sorry-legs already and follow me or I’ll claw your face off.”

Ghost trial? Nica raised an eyebrow. She had learned what she wanted, the time for diplomacy was over.

A Little Adventure in Alola

by CommanderX5

Ch.6 - Rescue Party - Pt.1