Setting:
•Route 33, Johto•
•Late February, Night•
•Amber (Wolfe Alias) POV•
Chapter Thirty-One
Stormfront at Slowpoke Well
As Gold and I trudged along in the muddy route, the crashing thunder and pounding rain really got my blood pumping. The rain was really cold, but my blood was boiling since I knew that soon enough, I'd find those scandalous Team Rocket people who were chopping off tails of Pokémon and selling them as delicacies for a pretty penny.
Thanks to the lightning, Gold and I just barely had enough light to travel by. My running shoes kept sinking in the muddy terrain, and I was certain my clothes weighed over a good extra ten pounds because they were way past soaked. And, to top things off, the wind was pushing against us, so we had to fight that. Plus, it made the rain only that much harder as it pounded down from the sky.
"Man, this is a bad storm!" Gold yelled. Although he was only a foot or two away from me, he had to yell just to be heard over the crazy weather.
"Yeah, I can't believe our luck! I mean, we get lost, and finally we get here just to face this crappy weather! I think I'm going to skip that shower after all tonight! I'm getting it right now!" I yelled back.
Gold made a noise, which I guessed was a laugh. "I just want to be dry again!"
"Same here!"
We continued onward. I was really happy that this would be the shortest part of the entire trip. It still was strenuous, though, and I could see Gold slowing his pace after a while. It was pretty hard to fight the wind, and the rain felt like icy needles.
Finally, we reached an area with some trees and quickly took cover underneath one. I knew that being under a tree with lightning usually equaled to a bad idea, but all I wanted to do was get a bearing on our surroundings so I could see if I could find the Slowpoke Well.
Instead, I saw a figure under a neighboring tree—a figure that really screwed up things. "Crap!" I said to Gold. Luckily, the figure didn't notice us—yet.
"What?" Gold asked. He was taking the opportunity to catch his breath.
"That tree near us. Guess who's here." I pointed.
Gold looked in the direction I indicated. "Oh great. Not him."
"Let's move, Gold. Before he sees us. If he interferes? Well, it's not going to be good."
I couldn't believe I actually recognized Silver under that tree, but thanks to Sneasel being at his feet, I knew it wasn't just a coincidence.
Gold nodded. "Alright. So, where to?"
I scanned the area, and to my fortune, I found what I thought could possibly be the well. It was on a slope, but the shape reminded me of a well. "I think I found the well. Just follow me."
"Okay!"
I led the way, which was only a few yards ahead of us, though it took effort still since the wind was fighting us all the way. Eventually, I could feel the level of the terrain shift, and to my poor luck, bad footing, mud, and the wind taking an abrupt directional shift played a part to where the next thing I knew, I was sliding down a slope.
I grasped at the wet grass in an attempt to stop myself, but it didn't work. Before I knew what hit me, I went into a free fall and fell on my side on very hard, wet ground below. The impact of the fall knocked the wind right out of me, and I felt pretty disoriented. And to top it off, the rain was still coming down the hole in which I fell, though it wasn't as bad.
"Wolfe! Are you alright?!" I could barely hear Gold, much less see him standing above the hole in the ceiling.
The place I was in was a good ten feet underground; I guessed it was the well, though if that were the case, I was certain I just made enough noise to alert Team Rocket, which didn't thrill me any.
"Yeah, I think I'll be okay. Kinda dizzy, but nothing's broken or anything!" I yelled back as I sat upright. My head was spinning, and the side I landed on hurt, but I'd live.
Next thing I knew, Gold was descending the hole on what I guessed was a ladder. "That was a pretty bad fall you had. You sure you're okay?" He asked extending his hand out to help me up.
"I've had worse—trust me—but thanks," I took his hand and stood up. I almost slipped in the process, but luckily, Gold caught and steadied me so I didn't fall again. "Thanks," I addressed him, wincing at the pain in my side.
"No prob. So, what is this place?" He asked looking at me.
"This is Slowpoke Well, and what might you two little runts be doing in here?" Asked an unfamiliar male voice. It sounded pretty menacing.
I placed the voice to some guy in the shadows; I was certain he was a Rocket Grunt. He was pretty tall and slim looking from what I could make out.
"My friend and I were on our way to Azalea Town, and then she fell into the well! It's really bad weather outside." Gold explained.
"Oh, I see. Well then, this well is a dangerous place. Don't want you two children getting hurt. How about you run along now to Azalea Town? I'm in here to protect people like you from this place. Aren't I a good Samaritan?" The man's voice changed its tone to a more persuasive, friendly tactic.
All of my special training from the Kanto Ops was about to go into effect as I kicked into "infiltrative mode".
"Thanks very much, kind sir, but is it okay if I stay right here until the rain stops? I think I might've broken something in my side or something. It really hurts," I winced in half-fake pain.
It did hurt but nowhere near as badly as I was letting on. I knew my acting was on-key, though. I learned how to act without seeming fake with my training.
"Well, I suppose you can stay in the entrance if you don't wander anywhere. I'm sure your boyfriend there can go for help once the rain is over." The Grunt nodded.
"Thank you, sir. That's really kind of you. I don't think I'll be going anywhere. I'm in too much pain," I winced.
I then limped over to the corner of the small room we were in and sat. I motioned for Gold to follow suit, and to my luck, he caught on and complied.
We both stayed silent until we heard the man's footsteps as he walked away fade completely. Gold then began very lowly, in a whisper, "Was that—?"
"Yeah, it was. Just a Grunt, I'm certain of it." I nodded. "I bet he's guarding the entrance so no one comes in here to find out what's going on. That member selling the tails did some sloppy work telling us where they were and what they were doing. I'm certain the Executive running this operation knows that what they are doing is highly illegal." I whispered.
"Are you really in as much pain as you said you are?" He asked changing the subject a little.
"Nah. That's just some acting skills I picked up. Gotta remember, Gold, acting is a very crucial part of it all. One slip up, and there's no undoing it. Although, I guess I could use that warm shower again after all. It'd help my ribs; they're hurting." I ended up coughing just a little.
At least no more rain was falling on us where we were in the well at the present, even though it was still cold and damp. I could see underground lights strung up further in the well, so at least we weren't in the dark.
"Yeah. That should help. I just hope we can get this over with soon. So, what's the plan, anyway?" Gold whispered as we huddled together.
I thought about that for a few seconds. Were we really just going to storm the entire place by our selves? And what about Silver? I was certain he'd realize the well was where Team Rocket was holding their operation, and he was about as close to the well as I was when I took that slip. Taking the well by ourselves was risky, but I was pretty certain both Gold and I could overpower any Grunts around. Team Rocket Grunts weren't known for being strong.
Pretty much all Grunts were given standard issue Pokémon: Zubat, Rattata, or the occasional Ekans. It was the Executive that I worried about. Executives often got their rank for being good battlers with decent Pokémon. They were usually smarter than the average Grunt, too.
If we were lucky, there'd only be one Executive running the joint. Since it seemed to be only a money-making opportunity by exploiting Pokémon, I figured that there'd be just one, and hopefully, the Executive wouldn't be too strong.
Finally, I replied, "Well, I guess it'd be good to storm the place. It's risky, but the Grunts here will more than likely have nothing stronger than Rattata, Ekans, and Zubat. Or, better yet... Well wait, that wouldn't work since the guy told us to stay put… Guess the only way would be brute strength." I sighed.
"You really think we could take on the Grunts? I mean, I'm certain we are outnumbered. What if they use all of their Pokémon at once to attack us?" Gold pointed out.
"Then we'll just fight back. There's no way I'm going to let them keep chopping off Slowpoke Tails. I'm sure my Pokémon feel the same. We'll fight to save the Slowpoke—even if it takes all of our strength," I replied determinedly.
"I'm just saying, what if they overpower us? What would they do to us?" Gold was clearly not liking my plan.
I sighed. "You, they'd probably let go. Me? I'm not going to think about it. Look, Gold. I admire your bravery for coming this far, but you can always go to town and get away from this dangerous situation before I begin it if you want. I won't hold it against you. You're not trained for this; I am. Go to the Pokémon Center. Get a hot meal, get dry, and just wait for me. I'll be back. You have my word on it."
"How can you be so brave? I mean, you could get killed, yet you seem so relaxed about it." Gold asked quietly.
"Gold, it's not bravery. It's trust. I trust my Pokémon. We all fight for the same reason: for the good of others. It's people like Team Rocket that threaten the peace. Someone has to stop them, and I figure that even if I do die, I'll go down fighting to help others, and I'm content with that. I've been around more places than you've probably been." I said just as quietly.
"I've met all sorts of people and Pokémon with different personalities, and I've been in a lot of tense situations. It kinda comes naturally to me, though I am anxious, and I'm nervous of how it will go down since there are so many uncertainties. But despite that, I'm willing to risk it all to protect those Slowpoke. If I could save even one before getting caught, I won't be satisfied, but at least I would have helped." I continued determinedly.
"Hmph. If it isn't the two weaklings that always seem to be bumbling behind. Nice words, Wolfie. I'm sure you'd make a fine politician with that little speech of yours. As for you, kid, I'd take her advice and leave while you still have the chance. I'm about to cause a ruckus that will do some real damage." Silver's voice cut in.
I groaned inwardly while Gold replied, "Shut up! Wolfe was just trying to help me get over my uncertainties, and I'm not going anywhere! And, we were here first. Looks like you were the one 'bumbling behind,' jerk!"
"Hmm, seems you talk big for being just a newbie. And as for being behind, I'm certain I was headed here first. It's just dumb luck that your girlfriend had to fall into the well." Silver snorted.
The very mention of me being Gold's girlfriend made some part of my brain spasm for just a second since it came from Silver of all people. At the remark, I couldn't help but laugh at the craziness of it all.
Of course, my laugh caused both guys, who were standing since Gold stood up to face Silver, to snap their heads at me. I was about to be on a roll, though, and this time, I wouldn't hold back. I was pretty certain I was ready to face Silver.
Silver and I aren't friends any more? So be it. I could still hold on to that past and cherish it, but I realize that my present is very clear.
Silver had a really big distaste for both Gold and me, but I noticed that most of that dislike was directed towards me.
If he wants to be enemies, well then, fine.
I gave what I was certain to be a pretty creepy smile before replying in the most sugarcoated venomous words I could form out of thin air.
"First of all, I'm not anyone's girlfriend. Second of all, Silver, while you may have been heading here first, we got here first, so that's that! This place was on my destination roster at least, though it might not have been on Gold's. Now, we can stay here and argue like a bunch of children, which none of us are—especially not myself at least. OR we can work this over like adults and talk. You choose, Silv." I threw his old nickname back in his face with a pretty harsh tone.
I knew how to be menacing when I needed to be, and I felt like that might just have been necessary. I could tell that my shift in attitude sure shocked Gold at least.
As for Silver, the old nickname part got to him, I was certain of it. For just the slightest instance, I saw him grimace, but he was just about as well controlled as I was when it came to hiding things. He was always good at it, while I learned how to be like that for my mission; though, I did have slip ups, especially when put under pressure like by say, my ex-best friend showing up?
We stayed in silence for a while, and really, I was surprised that the Grunt didn't show up to ask about what was going on. I counted that as a small blessing.
Finally, Silver spoke. "Look, your supposed intimidating words don't frighten me in the least bit. I'll do as I please. I really could care less what you two do, though if you get in my way, you'll regret it."
"No! You look." I spat. "I don't care what you think you're doing here, but you better have a change of plans because I'm not leaving this well until those Slowpoke are saved! I'm not scared of your threats, either, because I'm certain your whole 'you'll regret it' thing is no more than an empty threat."
I glared at him. "Leave now, Silver—unless you want to be turned in to the police for stealing Professor Elm's Totodile." I threatened.
"Still going on about that? Now who's bluffing? I already know your father is a police officer. You could've had me arrested by now the way you've been stalking me. I'm not worried at all about you. You're nothing but a wimp, anyway." Silver growled with crossed arms.
"Please, you're so pathetic! Both of you are. Treating Pokémon like they are pampered, spoiled pets? Friendship with them? Hmph. Nothing but a waste of time. I don't know what you are up to, Wolfe, nor do I care. All I know is you being here is ruining my plans, and I'm going to have to do something about that. The last thing I need is you here to ruin things!" Silver said a bit aggressively and full of attitude.
"Oh, I know I could have had you arrested by now, and trust me, the time will come when you'll be locked up. And then, I'll have the last laugh! But for now? I have my own plans, you see, and I can't tell you them! But I do have them. And I'm afraid that I might just have to ruin your plans if they don't coincide with mine. So, this is your only chance, what exactly are you planning, wise guy?" I growled back.
"Hmph. Like I'd tell you what I'm doing here. Just know that the Team Rocket members here are going to be no more after this. I'm repaying a debt to a friend. Nothing more, nothing less." He replied a bit dutifully, yet coldly.
That part caught me a little off guard since I was certain that I was the friend he spoke about, though at the same time, I had guessed he would get revenge eventually.
I decided to do a little prying. "A friend, huh? That's a real shocker. I don't see how anyone could be friends with a jerk like you."
"Hmph. Well be surprised all you like. I had a friend." He said quietly.
"Wait, had? Oh, I see now. Your friend must've seen what a low-life you were and disowned you. I don't blame that guy at all. Who wants to be friends with a jerk who thinks he's all high and mighty and treats everyone around him like dirt? I know I wouldn't." Oh how I was beginning to enjoy this even if it was cruel.
"For your information, my friend would have never disowned me! Quit judging me. You don't even know me, after all," he stated matter-of-factly while catching his calmness again.
Damn, was he good at controlling himself in front of others. I knew that meant he was pretty close to the edge, though. I knew how Silver got when something was really bothering him, and I knew I was treading on very dangerous ground pursuing the matter, but I did realize it would be great information for my future plans of finding Team Rocket and stopping them.
And let's face it, I liked hearing how the whole me dying thing went down from Silver's perspective. I had no clue if it was even believable thanks to the fact that I was in on it. Any information I could extract from Silver now, I could use later. And, I knew just the right buttons to press. He'd gotten pretty easy to manipulate over the time I'd been away in training.
"Well, if your friend didn't disown you, what happened? Oh, wait! Maybe your friend was a pet Pokémon that passed away. That'd explain not only why you are such a harsh person, but also why you seem to not get close to your Pokémon." I said a bit maliciously.
The expression on Silver's face changed ever so slightly, but it was like a whole newspaper or some type of equivalent for me, the way I could read it. I saw quite a few expressions and emotions all in one, some I didn't like to see in him.
It took him a few minutes before he spoke, and when he did, he talked calmly in a cold tone. "Don't you ever insult my friend like that, or I promise you, you will regret it, and that's not an empty threat. I won't let anyone disgrace her memory like that. She was an amazing person—more so than either of you losers could ever be. It's because of Team Rocket that she is gone. I'll make them pay for that. Don't you even try to stand in my way, or you'll end up just like them."
Now, I knew Silver would take my death kind of hard, but damn. Back then, I didn't think that me dying would change him that much. But thinking about it, at least I knew what caused his change in attitude, and boy, did that make me feel like total crap. I had turned a perfectly nice guy into some jerk who didn't give a damn about anything except revenge.
Ugh, nice going, Amber. THAT damage won't be undone so easily. Still though, I didn't expect him to hold me up on such a high pedestal. He of all people knew my flaws, and I have many, many flaws.
I knew my next words would have to be careful; I had just went from the danger zone to the lethal zone.
"So, in a nutshell: These Team Rocket guys killed your girlfriend, and now you want revenge, and you don't care who or what stands in your way, since you'll just destroy them? Is that the gist of the story?" I asked lightheartedly.
The girlfriend remark I felt was a suitable comeback to the fact that he called Gold my boyfriend, which just weirded me out since he was years younger than me.
I saw Silver staring off in the distance, not really focused on anything while he replied, "Amber wasn't my girlfriend. She was my very best friend, and yeah, so what if I'm getting rid of Team Rocket for her? If she were alive, she'd be after them, anyway. Even if she wouldn't be using the force I will use. Call it revenge if you want. I call it paying off a debt."
"Debt? Your debt sounds like a personal vendetta for revenge. Just saying. Who's the debt to? Your friend? Or yourself?" I asked coldly. Those words were coming straight from me—Amber.
"Both, actually," he smirked and looked at me. "No one should have to find their friend's body, especially not with it being charred beyond recognition. So in that sense, the debt is to me. I want to stop Team Rocket for making my life a living hell. I can't sleep peacefully until my job is done." He said just as coldly before continuing.
"And at the same time, Amber was the one who originally stopped Team Rocket. In fulfilling her job of getting rid of them again, the debt is also to her. So, I'll say this one more time. Leave now, or get ready to die with the rest of Team Rocket here. I don't care what you choose." He threatened.
I was certain my eyes went wide with shock at the "beyond recognition" part since I was pretty certain a ballistics body would have melted, not burned to charred remains. The fact that he planned on killing the Team Rocket members here, though, was icing on the cake.
Great. Not only did you make him hate his own Pokémon, but also to top it off, he's not just a thief anymore but also a potential murderer… Amber, what have you done to him?!
This isn't the Silver I know! I don't know who this guy is, but he's not my Silv. Silver was a bit harsh at times, but never like this. The Silver I knew would never actually hurt anyone, unless it was some kind of boyish brawl that all guys seem to get into from time to time. No, this guy standing in front of me, I don't know him. I don't think I'd want to know him. Man, what to do?
"So, you plan on killing Team Rocket?" I asked just to be certain.
"Yes. Just defeating them in battle won't get rid of them. They are nothing but scum, anyway. Their lives won't really matter, and in the big scheme of things, I'll be doing the world a favor. Team Rocket will be wiped out because no one will be left alive to run it. And my job will start here…" He said darkly.
"Sounds like lunacy on your part to me. And how exactly do you plan on killing them?" I asked knowing I had to remain controlled.
"Simple. Collapse the well. They'll be crushed to death." Silver actually smirked, and my stomach twisted in knots.
"Uh, hello! What about the Pokémon living in the well?! What about Azalea Town?! I'm sure they get their water from here. You'll not only kill Team Rocket, but you'll deprive a town of its resources, AND you'll kill innocent Pokémon!" I protested loudly.
"That's their problem. I couldn't care less what happens to anyone. As long as Team Rocket is wiped out, who cares?" He said coldly.
"That's just immoral! I won't let you get away with that!" That got my blood boiling. Silver really was crazy.
"Uh, guys…?" Gold butted in.
"Not now, Gold." I replied.
"But, Wolfe… You might want to look at this…"
"What?" I stopped dead in my tracks.
While Silver and I were arguing, Team Rocket must have been congregating. Our voices got louder and louder, too, as we argued, so they all got to hear all about our plans.
"Dammit!" I yelled as I saw an endless number of Rocket Grunts watching us. Even Silver stopped and stared.
"So, planning to kill us, huh? Not very kind of you there, little boy," the guard from earlier replied as he stepped closer to us.
"Heh," Silver smirked, "you think I'm scared? You're the one who better be afraid!"
Before Silver could make another move, and I was certain that whatever plan he had for collapsing the well was about to be put into action, I jumped up and tackled him to the ground. I actually managed to pin him down using a method I learned in training.
"There's no way I'm going to let you kill people, Silv. You're insane! So, I'll stop you first!" I growled.
"Quit calling me Silv," he smirked while struggling to get free.
He was pretty strong, but at least I caught up a little in height while I was away, so I wasn't completely over powered, and I had formal combat training on my side. I had just enough time to reach into my bag and grab Chika's ball, too, though that made Silver grab the opportunity to free an arm, with which he soundly punched me in my collarbone.
"It's not nice to hit girls, you jerk," I winced as I struggled to regain control, ramming my knees into his stomach and trying to get him into a headlock.
"It's not nice to tackle someone to the ground and put them in an arm lock, either," he replied as he got his other arm free. With both arms free, he pushed me off of him with quite a lot of force, but I was already on to my next move.
"Chika! Restrain him with Vine Whip!" I called to my partner.
"Well, while they are occupied, let's attack!" a Grunt in the crowd said.
A flurry of flapping wings began in the well as multiple Zubat were called out. Chika gave a yelp of fear but managed to wrap her vines tightly around Silver to where he couldn't move. The Zubat already began to home in on her, anyway.
Unsure what to do next, I threw myself over Chika, and a flurry of Leech Life began as the Zubat attacked me instead. I cried out in pain as I managed to grab a hold of my bag and let out a random Pokémon; it was Lizardus.
"Charman!" He appeared. I could hear the flame on his tail blaze.
"Lizardus, help us out! Knock out those Zubat with Flamethrower!" I called desperately.
"Char?" I knew what his concern was. He was scared that he'd burn me.
"Don't worry about it. I can survive a burn or two. Chika has a captive, and she can't get hurt otherwise he'd go free." I instructed.
"I'll help out, too! Zuku, let's go!" Gold gave a brave battle cry as he called out his Noctowl.
Lizardus' Flamethrower knocked several Zubat out of the air in one swoop; a few landed on me, and I shook them off. Once the only wing beats I could hear were the large ones from Zuku a few minutes later, I got off of Chika and stood up to face my opponents.
"So, now where were we?" I asked.
"Char!" My Charmander taunted defiantly at the Grunts. Zuku hooted as well.
At that, the Grunts unanimously ran in the other direction, allowing the path to be cleared. I turned to my Chikorita, who was holding Silver captive, although he was struggling; she seemed to be managing okay.
"Got it, Chika?"
"Chikori!" She replied gleefully. She was rather proud to be able to help.
"Good. Bring him with us. I don't want to lose sight of him. When we're done with this, I'm making sure he doesn't see the light of day again." I didn't want to lock him in prison, but given his crazy ideations, I had no choice.
We all walked with Chika toting Silver—who was dragging his feet in an effort to tire her out—behind us. The room we walked into was…wet. It was a well, after all. There were Slowpoke with no tails practically everywhere. I couldn't see any trace of the Grunts from earlier, either. We walked along the cold well floor, which was to the right of the body of water.
"Anybody home?" I asked to my own amusement. Overall, I actually was enjoying this whole infiltration business. I figured there was no point worrying now that they knew we were there. I wanted to get down to business, and I wouldn't stop until I shut the whole operation down.