Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Let Love Be Your Energy ❯ Rebellion ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five - Rebellion
by cultnirvana

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"So, we need a plan. If we don't attack them soon, their forces will increase. At the moment the rebellion is probably large enough to defeat them, if we come up with a good enough plan. Most of us are Pokémon trainers. With the Pokémon's help, we may be able to save the ."

"They're too strong. There is no way we will be able to fight off an army of that size. You're being foolish as usual, loser."

Ash looked in the direction of the whining voice. It didn't come from one of the group huddled in a circle planning manoeuvres, but from someone hiding in the corner of the room.

Gary! He could never forget that voice.

It had been a long time since their last encounter with one another, well over six months. They had both reached the final of the league. It had come down to one battle. Whoever was victorious would earn the chance to fight the Elite Four.

With Ash's win over his rival, all semblance of friendship had fallen away. They had parted on the worst terms possible.

"So what do you think we should do, give in to those murderers? Bow down before the people who have raped and destroyed our homeland, killed innocent woman and children? Have you no pride?"

Gary stood and walked out of the shadows to the edge of the circle, and then just stared at Ash for a moment before speaking again. "What good would it do? We have no chance. The army, the cops, they couldn't stop them. What makes you think that we, a bunch of trainers and civilians, can do anything?"

"A rebellion can do more than any military force. The power is with the people. If enough people take a stand, nothing can remain in their way. Haven't you learned anything from history?"

"Yeah, that it doesn't always work. They are too strong for us."

"Their strength resides in the weapons they carry. Our strength comes from within. They are fighting for greed. We fight for freedom. Therefore we are more powerful."

God, Misty thought, Ash had become very deep lately. Everything he seemed to do or say since the rebellion had begun made her desire him even more. She couldn't believe how much she loved him.

"That's shit and you know it. If we fight against them, we all die."

"Do you forget, Gary, that their are plenty more of us than those in this room."

Everyone in the room detected more than a hint of resentment when Ash said his name. Most didn't know the history between the two, but they were all sure it was a little less than civil.

"The rebel movement has spread all over Kanto. Team Rocket feel that we are a real threat. Already, with our protests, we have achieved a great victory against our occupiers. Now it is time to use force. We can make them fall."

"You're stupid. If we go out there and attack, you will be responsible for hundreds of deaths. Not just ours, but those of the civilians you are trying to keep safe."

"We will fight to free those civilians."

"Ash, stop trying to be a hero. Just because now you're big 'Mr Pokémon Master', you don't have to force your superiority down everyone else's throats."

The whole group watched as Ash and Gary spoke, noticing the rising anger in Ash's face. He had turned away from the other trainer, looking down towards the floor, trying to control his rage. He was about to explode, everyone realised, apart from, of course, Gary who just continued to squawk on, no one agreeing with his opinions.

"You're still a little loser, Ash. You always have been and always will be. Just out to hide your weakness by controlling others. You're just a loser."

That had done it. Everyone knew what was coming, but Gary just stared at Ash's back, with a conceited smirk on his face. He didn't realise that Ash was coming towards him until it was too late. With an incredibly powerful punch, fuelled by anger, from Ash, he landed painfully on his back, on the concrete floor. The next thing he knew was Ash crouching over him, holding the top of his shirt with his left hand. He could also smell the scent of blood - his blood. His nose was gushing with the vivid, red liquid.

"Who do you think you're calling a loser? You're the loser. You want to hide and cry while the rest of us are out fighting for our, and your, freedom? You coward. Everyone in this room is afraid to die, especially me, but we are willing to do so to save our homeland. And I'm not doing this because I enjoy control. I helped start this rebellion with my friends because I want this region to be like it was before this all started. I want my home back, and if I have to die for that to happen, then that is what must happen. I would willingly give my life for the greater good, and I know everyone else in this room agrees."

The two trainers looked at the faces of everyone in the room. All had confidant smiles on their faces, each one agreeing with what Ash had vowed. Ash then looked at the one face in the crowd who's opinion he cared for more than any others, and she just stared back at him, full of faith in what he had said. He smiled at her.

He regrettably turned his vision back to the person below him. "Sadly, I know that I can't say the same for you. Why are you even here if you won't fight for the rebellion?" Ash realised the reason and answered his own question. "Oh, I get it. You're a trainer, and as a trainer, and a successful one unfortunately, you need to be protected from Team Rocket. If they found you, there's no telling what they would do to you. You were afraid so joined the rebellion, but are too scared to fight. And you have the nerve to call me a loser when you are using each brave individual in this room for your own benefit."

Ash's voice then softened a little, a bit of anger dissipating from it. "I can't throw you out of here, neither can anyone else. It is too dangerous and I don't wish death upon anyone, even you. I advise you to just stay out of everyone's way."

Misty walked over to her friend, and laid her hand upon his shoulder. "Ash, don't waste you time getting angry over an insect like this. You're better than that."

With Misty's request, he took his hand from Gary's chest and stood. No longer having support to hold him up, Gary fell back to the floor again with a bang, and lay there for a few minutes, embarrassed. He saw Ash walk away with Misty, until both disappeared into the adjacent room.

He knew he shouldn't of challenged him. The rebels followed Ash without hesitation. Most were older and much more experienced, but something about Ash lured them to obey. Gary couldn't place his finger upon what; maybe with his rank as a Pokémon Master which always demanded respect, or maybe it was because Ash and his friends were the first to take a stand against Team Rocket, mere hours after Viridian's takeover, with little regard for their own personal safety. Gary was sure that these facts factored into the reasons easily, but was afraid to admit that it may have been something much deeper. Ash had a trustworthy innocence to his face, a face that looked like it didn't know the meaning of lying.

He had to fix this. He couldn't live the rest of his life in Ash's shadow. He wanted the good old days back when Ash was the true loser. He had to do something. It may take time, but he was sure he would eventually get Ash back.

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In the next room, Ash sat on an old sofa, with his hands on his head. Although Misty could not see his face, she knew from what had gone before, and from his uneasy breathing, he was trying to calm himself down from the anger that had momentarily overtaken him. She also realised that he was losing the battle. His mind was still immersed in hate. She sat down close to him, hoping that she could help him relax. She didn't want anyone getting the wrong impression of him. They all had no idea of Ash's and Gary's past.

"Don't let yourself get all strung up over him. He's just a little coward. You're so much better."

Ash took his hands from his head, lay back on the sofa. He looked down at his hands and noticed that his middle and fore fingers were covered in Gary's blood. He took a tissue from his pocket and quickly wiped it off, glad to be rid of it. "I know I shouldn't get so angry over these things, I just really cannot stand the guy."

"I think everyone knows how you feel," Misty laughed.

"It's not even the fact that he isn't fighting. Many people aren't fighting for numerous reasons, but he has the nerve to tag along with us for protection. He makes me sick."

"Sadly, but, you're going to have to stand him if he stays in the resistance. We can't afford ANY in-fighting. Team Rocket is the enemy. Keep your hate for them. Also, you're our leader. You must set a good example to the others."

"You're right." He paused for a moment as he gazed into her blue-green eyes. Within their beauty he could see her faith in him, standing taller than anyone else's. She was his greatest supporter, believing his every word as she knew he rarely spoke lies, but she also supported him in another more important way; she helped him stay strong in the face of adversity, was always there when he lost hope, and helped him up when he fell. She was his partner in all this, and he felt that their partnership was stronger than anything. They both contradicted each other but at the same time had similarities where vital. And they were best friends, vowing never to leave one another until death called on them.

What an amazing couple we could make if she only felt the same about me as I do about her, he thought.

"You okay, Ash? I kind of lost you for a moment."

"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking."

"About him?"

"Ah, yeah," he lied. " I just hope those guys don't look down upon me for doing that. I'm supposed to be public face of the rebellion. What are they going to think when they realise that I'm just an overemotional boy who can't control his anger?"

"They won't think that. Gary was way out of order. But..." she hestitated for a moment. "...You better not let your feelings overcome you like that again in front of them, or they may lose faith in you. Just hold it in, 'cause, remember, you have me to help you, and I've got you." She looked away from him, smiling. She loved the thought of them depending emotionally upon each other.

"Yeah, you're right."

"I'm here to listen to everything you say, and to talk through all of your problems."

"You're always there, taking care of me."

"I worry about you. I don't want you to destroy yourself, or lose faith."

"I won't, I promise you. No matter what happens, nothing is going to stop me."

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The two came back into the crowded room, Ash finally relaxed, ready to get down to business. "Okay. All we have done so far is resist them where possible and stage publicity stunts. At the moment they think that they can beat us, and we need to show them that they are wrong. We have to show Team Rocket that we mean business. We need to start planting bombs, nothing too big and nothing that is powerful enough to kill anyone. And we'll own up to everything we do, so they don't think it's civilians. After that we'll begin to plan larger attacks, ones to hit the centre of their power."

"Okay," Erika agreed. "Right, so all we need now is a few plans."

**********

They were on the outskirts of Viridian. The night had just fallen, no light remaining from the sun to light their way, but that only meant it would be harder for anyone to spot them. The rain fell upon them, soaking their heavy clothing.

"I'm glad they listened to me."

"Why wouldn't they? You're right. We need to stop them and the only way to do that is to show them how strong we are."

"I just hope we can make it work." Ash felt a rumbling and several squeaks from his backpack. "What's wrong, Pikachu?"

"Pika pika!"

"What is he saying?"

"He hears someone...someone close."

"Pika chu chu!" he corrected.

"No, not someone. It's not just one person."

They both now could hear the noise. It was coming from behind them.

"Stop or we'll shoot!"

They turned around to see five members of Team Rocket standing at the end of the road, guns aimed towards the friends.

"Shit", Misty said under her breath. "What do we do?"

Ash only had one word for her. "Run."

They sprinted down the street, their pursuers beginning to follow only a hundred metres behind them. They pushed themselves as hard as possible, hoping to find somewhere to hide, but no opportunities presented themselves. They weren't sure they could make it, feeling the strain on their legs. But there was no choice. They had to continue.

Suddenly, shots opened up from behind, flying pass them, coming within inches of their skin. Ash knew it was going to be hard for them to get out of this, maybe even impossible. But it was worth it.

Just then, he felt a surge of pain strike him, and his leg buckled under him. He knew what had happened. One of the bullets had hit its target. A split second later, before he had completely fallen to the ground, he was hit again only mere inches from the first point. His left leg was out of action.

His injured body finally slammed against the ground, causing further pain to the fresh wounds. As he screamed in pain, he tasted something faintly metallic in his mouth. Blood. The thick liquid spilled over his lips and landed on the ground, mingling with the rain water that glistened on the black road.

Misty, hearing the yell, turned to see her friend on the ground, blood pouring from both his leg and mouth. "Ash!" She ran back to him, and tried to lift his battered body up.

"Misty...get out of here!" he pleaded. "They're closing in!" She made no reaction to his order, instead making further attempts to get him up. "Misty, I told you to get the hell out of here! Leave me here...save yourself!"

"I'm not leaving you, Ash."

Without further argument, he, with her help, got up onto his feet, but again, his leg buckled. "I...can't walk."

"I don't care!" she yelled. "If I have to carry you out of here, I will."

He tried again and made it to his feet, but not without needing her for total support. Pikachu, seeing their pursuers coming closer, let out a Thunder attack, not to stop them but to hopefully blind them momentarily and give them more of a chance to hide.

They needed to find somewhere fast. Their pursuers were only a street turn from their location. Although the thunder had confused them, they wouldn't remain that way for long.

Just then, Misty saw Pikachu pointing to a narrow alleyway a few meters in front of them. It was the only place in sight. "Come on, Ash, not too much further." They made their way, albeit slowly, into the alley, where Misty spotted a large dustbin. It was their only chance, but, despite Ash trying his best, Misty had to do most of the work for him. She could see he was beginning to lose consciousness.

They finally made it. She pushed him tight into the corner between the far side of the bin and the brick wall, then moved in as closely as she could, crouching over him. Pikachu jumped in between them.

Misty could hear them in the street, right next to the alley. They had stopped, probably wondering where they had disappeared to. Luckily, they never thought to look in the alley.

"Where have they gone?" she thought she heard one say.

"They must be in the next street," another replied. They then moved on.

Scared to move for fear of attracting attention, she barely moved a muscle for, she guessed, what must have been five minutes (she was not certain) but she knew she had to get out of there as quickly as possible. Ash had lost consciousness, and blood continued to run from his damaged leg. She feared to think what would happen if she didn't get him some attention, soon. But there was nowhere apart from back to the apartment where they would be safe. And even then, she didn't know if he would be okay by the time they got there. She knew she wasn't strong enough to get him there with any speed.

She focused with her mind. 'Kiyoko, can you hear me?' The was no response. The link must have been broken. Then she had an idea. "Pikachu." The yellow rodent looked up to her. "Ash is in bad shape. We need to get back to the others quickly. Go back and tell Kiyoko to teleport us back. Hopefully she'll be able to locate us if you tell her where we are."

"Pika," and without anything further, the Pokémon ran off, into the dark night.

Misty, seeing Pikachu disappear around the corner, looked back down upon her friend, and gently rocked his limp body. "Don't leave me, Ash, not now. I've so much to tell you."