Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ A Memorable Life ❯ Battle for Freedom ( Chapter 10 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Recap: After spending some time in Ecruteak City, Ash continued towards Mahogany Town. Upon arriving, he found the gym locked. But upon hearing a strange sound, he went to the Lake of Rage to investigate. There, he fought and caught a red Gyrados. Not long afterwards, he encountered Lance, one of the Elite Four, and learned that Team Rocket attempted to use the sound to control Pokemon. The two teamed up and had thwarted Team Rocket for the time being. Then Ash returned to the gym and battled Pryce, coming out victorious. Before he could even head towards Blackthorn City, a call from Professor Elm alerted him to the crisis in Goldenrod City.
( ) after Pokemon talk is the translation
Italic words is psychic speech
/ is Ash mental conversation with Lugia and/or Charizard
/Italic words/ is Lugia and/or Charizard mental talk with Ash
(' is Pokemon thoughts
' is human thoughts

&n bsp; Chapter 10: Battle for Freedom

Ash and Charizard were almost at Goldenrod City. Ash and his Pokemon had quite a day yesterday. He had expected to go straight to the gym upon entering Mahogany Town but was surprised to see someone blocking all access to the gym. Then he heard a strange frequency. He decided to investigate, defeating trainers along the way. Upon reaching the Lake of Rage, he heard a fierce roar. He looked in the lake and was astounded to see a red Gyrados swimming around. Upon locking eyes, the Gyrados challenged him to battle. Ash accepted and ended up capturing the red Gyrados as a result.

Then a man wearing a black and red cape soon confronted him. This man turned out to be Lance the Dragon Master. He had seen Ash battle and capture the red Gyrados and had explained the situation about why the Gyrados was red instead of blue and asked for Ash's help in bringing Team Rocket down, which Ash agreed to without hesitation.

Then the duo headed into Team Rocket's secret hideout via a secret stairwell that was underneath a statue in the Poke Mart. They battled their way through Team Rocket grunts and executives and soond found the source of the frequency. Unfortunately, the only way to shut the frequency off was to defeat the six Electrodes powering it, but Ash and Lance defeated the Electrode. Then Ash had "A" teleport him and Lance out of the hideout.

Lance thanked Ash for the help before he took flight on his Dragonite. Ash then noticed that no one was in front of the gym anymore. He made a quick pit stop at the Pokemon Center before entering the gym to challenge Pryce. In a thrilling battle, Ash came out the victor, receiving his 7th badge. He was about to head towards the Ice Path when Professor Elm alerted him to the situation in Goldenrod City.

"I should've known that Team Rocket would try something like this. Even when I was in my Poke Ball, I sensed some of them in Goldenrod the first time we were there," Charizard said.

"The first two times we dealt with them, they were after Pokemon. Now they've taken over an entire city. It's time to put an end to their sinister plans and rid this region of them once and for all," Ash said.

/I can't wait for that/ Lugia said.

Fifteen minutes later, Charizard landed just outside the city. She let Ash off with Psychic. "I think that you should return me for now. Team Rocket will probably not even bother you if they see only you. Chances are they'll think that you're just a passing trainer. You should head to the Radio Tower from there. I sense some very bad vibes coming from there," she said.

/So do I/ Lugia confirmed.

"Okay," Ash said, returning Charizard. Then he entered the city. Like Charizard said, he had no trouble going through the city because the Team Rocket grunts there only saw him as a trainer passing through. He was able to get into the Radio Tower. Upon entering, he found three very panicky people at the front desk. He went over to the receptionist. "What happened?" he asked.

"Team Rocket has taken over the Radio Tower. I suspect that they did something with the director," the receptionist responded.

Ash then went up to the 2nd floor. He didn't walk far before a Rocket grunt challenged him to a battle. Using Lapras, he made quick work of the grunt's Golbat and Macargo. Then he headed for the stairwell to the 3rd floor. He defeated several more grunts along the way. Upon reaching the next floor, he saw several more grunts guarding another stairwell. After taking care of them, he headed to the 4th floor. Upon arriving he saw a grunt and a scientist. The scientist was watching the stairwell to the 5th floor like a hawk. Not wanting to have another battle, Ash ducked back inside the fourth floor stairwell.

"Lapras, use Sing on those men," he said quietly, releasing Lapras.

Lapras soon materialized from her ball. The grunt and scientist looked in her direction. Before they could release any of their Pokemon to attack, they fell under Lapras's hypnotic voice and were soon asleep.

Ash then came into the room. "Nice work Lapras," he said before returning her. Then he went to the 5th floor. He saw what appeared to be the director.

The "director" approached him. Ash didn't like the sinister smirk on the "director's" face.

"So you made it here. Well I'm not the real director," the phony director said before taking off his disguise, revealing a man in a business suit. "I am one of Team Rocket's top executives," he added.

"Where's the real director?" Ash asked in a demanding tone.

"He's being held in the Goldnerod City Underground," the executive responded before holding out a key. "And you won't be able to get to him without this Basement Key here," he said tauntingly.

/He's asking for it/ Charizard said.

/I'm ready to literally knock some sense into him/

"I'll be on my way now," the executive said, heading for the stairwell.

"Oh no you don't!" Ash said. He managed to tackle the executive, forcing the executive to drop the key. He then grabbed the key.

"So, you're stronger and more gutsy than you look. You win this round kid," the executive said before leaving the Radio Tower.

Ash then left the Radio Tower. First, he headed to the Pokemon Center to have his Pokemon healed. He knew that he needed his Pokemon at full strength for the battle ahead. After getting his Pokemon back, he headed for the Underground. He made quick work of the trainers there before locating a door at the end of a dead end tunnel. He used the Basement Key and was soon inside. He took several steps when...

"Hold it!" an obnoxious voice said.

"Not again," Ash muttered annoyingly.

('Oh great, here comes the jerk again') all of Ash's Pokemon thought.

"When will you stop bothering me?" Ash asked in an annoyed and angered tone.

Alex actually shrunk back a little at the tone of Ash's voice. But he recovered though. "Where's that Lance guy?" he asked.

"He left after we stopped Team Rocket," Ash responded. "What are you getting at?" he added.

"Humph, he said that I need to be more open hearted with my Pokemon," Alex said.

"You should've learned that lesson by now. You think that having an open heart is a weak way to train Pokemon. But your method of training will end up hurting your Pokemon in the long run as Lance showed you. Like me, he treats and trains his Pokemon with compassion. Treating and training your Pokemon with compassion is what really encourages them to give it their all for their trainers. But you have yet to learn that lesson," Ash said.

"I'll show you that compassion is for the weak. We'll settle this with a Pokemon battle, five Pokemon each," Alex said.

"You're asking for another trouncing then," Ash said.

"Let's do this Sneasel!" Alex said, releasing the said Pokemon.

Ash pointed his Pokedex at Sneasel. "So, an ice-type Pokemon huh? Well come on out Typhlosion!" Ash said.

"Typhlosion typh (Let's toast this wimp)!" Typhlosion said.

Angered at being called a wimp, Sneasel attacked with Ice Beam.

"You know what to do Typhlosion," Ash said.

Typhlosion nodded and used Flamethrower. The Flamethrower went right through the Ice Beam, making contact with Sneasel. Sneasel fainted in the fiery attack.

"That's one down," Ash said.

Alex growled, returning the fainted Sneasel. "You got lucky on that one. Now Golbat will trounce you," he added, releasing the said Pokemon.

"Good job Typhlosion. Return," Ash said, returning his fiery Pokemon. "Come on out Lapras!" he added, releasing Lapras.

"Lapras lap lapras (Looks like I'm up for round 2)," Lapras said upon seeing Golbat.

"Golbat, use Leech Life!" Alex said.

Golbat was able to sap some of Lapras's strength. But it was goint to take a lot more than that to defeat her.

"Like that will do my Lapras in. She's had Pokemon use Leech Life on her quite a few times before, coming back strong every time. Lapras, end this with Ice Beam!" Ash said.

Lapras fired an Ice Beam.

"Doge that!" Alex said.

Golbat dodged the Ice Beam with only seconds to spare.

"Follow up with Blizzard!" Ash said.

Lapras complied, and Golbat was soon down for the count.

"Are you sure that you want to continue with the battle? My Pokemon haven't even broken a sweat yet and two of your Pokemon are already down," Ash said.

"I'll show you. Let's do it Magnemite!" Alex said, releasing Magnemite.

"Magnemite mag (Prepare to be shocked)!" Magnemite said.

"Lapras return. Let's do this Feraligatr!" Ash said, releasing his said Pokemon.

"Gator (I'm ready)," Feraligatr said.

"Magnemite, use Thunderbolt!" Alex said.

Magnemite complied.

"Prepare to be surprised," Ash said.

"What do you mean by that?" Alex asked.

"You'll see right away," Ash responded.

Sure enough, Feraligatr didn't feel the effects of the Thunderbolt attack. He didn't even flinch.

"What?! How could a pure water-type Pokemon not even feel an electric attack?" Alex asked in shock.

"Simple, Feraligatr has been shocked so many times that he developed an immunity to it," Ash responded. "Now use Hydro Pump!" he added.

Feraligatr fired a powerful stream of water. Caught completely off guard, Magnemite took a direct hit and was sent flying across the room. It was able to recover and was soon back in front of Feraligatr.

"Magnemite, there's got to be something that works against this Pokemon. Use Lock-On and follow it with Zap Cannon!" Alex said.

Magnemite locked onto Feraligatr before firing a ball of electricity at him.

"Counter with Thunderbolt!" Ash said. 'Even though the electricity won't affect Feraligatr, Zap Cannon could probably still knock him off his feet,' he secretly added.

Feraligatr complied, and the two attacks cancelled each other out. Ash then noticed that Magnemite was still dripping wet from the Hydro Pump attack.

"Feraligatr, finish this with Thunder!" Ash said.

Feraligatr fried the attack at Magnemite.

"Like that's going to do anyting," Alex said smirking. But he wouldn't be smirking much longer.

The attack had soon made impact with Magnemite. Magnemite screamed in pain, fainting soon afterwards.

"What?!" Alex exclaimed in shock. "H-how can that be?" he added.

"You failed to notice that Magnemite was still wet from Feraligatr's Hydro Pump. And as everyone knows, water greatly increases the power of electricity," Ash said.

"Grrrrrr! Haunter, let's go!" Alex said, releasing Haunter.

"Haunter haunt (I'll scare him silly)," Haunter said.

'Charizard and Lugia are too big for his room. Oh well, I have a choice between two other legendary Pokemon to use. I've wanted to see this kid's reaction to me having a legendary Pokemon anyway," Ash thought. "I have someone that I would like you to meet. Don't freak out now," Ash said before choosing Celebi's ball. "Come on out," he added, releasing Celebi.

"Bi bibi bi (Let's battle)," Celebi said.

Alex's mouth almost hit the floor upon seeing Celebi.

"Bi? Bibi bi bibi bi (What? Surprised that I chose him to be my trainer)?" Celebi asked slyly.

Alex partly recovered from his shock. "How were you able to catch a legendary Pokemon?" he demanded.

"Celebi appeared before me when I got to the shrine in Ilex Forest. She wanted to be one of my Pokemon so I caught her," Ash responded, Celebi nodding. "Now let's continue this battle. I have more important matters to take care of," he added.

'This kid is getting on my nerves,' Alex thought.

"We can all say the same about you," a deep male voice boomed.

/We can all say the same about what?/

/I read his thoughts. He said that you get on his nerves/ Lugia responded.

/You're right then/

"Who was that?" Alex asked upon hearing the deep male voice.

"It was someone who can hear what you're thinking. He's right too," Ash responded smirking.

"Grrrrr! Haunter, use Shadow Ball!" Alex said.

Haunter fired a ball of shadow energy towards Celebi.

"Celebi, get out of the way with Teleport!" Ash said.

Celebi disappeared into a time warp, dodging the Shadow Ball. Then she reappeared again.

"Quick Haunter, use Hypnosis!" Alex said.

"Oh no you don't. Use Teleport again Celebi!" Ash countered.

Celebi disappeared with only seconds to spare. Haunter and Alex were both shocked upon Celebi's quick reaction time. They didn't see to notice that Celebi had reappeared, ready to go on the offensive. Ash did however and was ready to oblige.

"Use Psybeam!" Ash said.

Celebi fired the Psybeam at the still shocked Haunter. Haunter couldn't react in time and was struck directly. Not about to let Haunter recover, Ash quickly called out the next attack.

"Follow up with Psywave!" Ash said.

Celebi did so, and Haunter looked just about done in at this point.

"Finish it with Psychic!" Ash said.

Celebi complied, and Haunter was down for the count. She then flew back to where Ash was. Ash gently scratched her head.

"Great work Celebi," Ash aid.

"Bi (Thanks)," Celebi said before Ash returned her.

'I have to win this last battle. I must,' Alex thought desperately, returning Haunter. "Meganium, it's up to you!" he added, releasing Meganium.

"Mega (Ready)" Meganium said.

"I believe that it's safe to assume that you have a Meganium as well. Let's see how yours matches up against mine," Alex said.

"I accept that challenge. Let's show this kid a thing or two Meganium!" Ash said, releasing his Meganium as well.

"Meaga meg mega meg (I've been waiting for this opportunity)," Ash's Meganium said.

There were a couple of differences between the two Meganium. One was that Ash's Meganium was female while Alex's Meganium was male. But the more obvious difference was that Ash's Meganium was three shades lighter in color than Alex's Meganium.

"Meganium, start off with Razor Leaf!" Alex said.

Alex's Meganium fired a barrage of leaves towards Ash's Meganium.

"Bat them down with Vine Whip!" Ash said.

Ash's Meganium used her vines to knock all the leaves down. Soon afterwards, she lashed them out at Alex's Meganium, knocking the opponent Meganium down as well.

"Nice follow through Meganium," Ash said.

"Mega (Thank you)," Ash's Meganium said.

Alex's Meganium had gotten back up.

"Now use Sweet Scent!" Alex said.

Alex's Meganium used Sweet Scent. However, the result was not what he nor Alex expected. Ash's Meganium was still ready to fight.

"How can my Meganium's Sweet Scent not affect yours?" Alex asked.

"Because your and my Meganium have the same aroma. I could smell the similarity almost immediately after I released her and I knew that she could as well. I don't see how you didn't bother to even think about that possibility," Ash responded.

"Meganium, use Vine Whip!" Alex said.

"Mega meg (You're getting spanked)," Alex's Meganium said, lashing out his vines at Ash's Meganium.

"Use your Vine Whip to jump!" Ash said.

Ash's Meganium used her vine whip to spring over the incoming Vine Whip.

"Now use Body Slam!" Ash said, noticing that his Meganium was right over Alex's Meganium.

Ash's Meganium came down fast towards Alex's Meganium. Alex's Meganium couldn't get out of the way in time and was soon smothered under Ash's Meganium. With both Meganium weighing just about the same, position would determine how effective the Body Slam would be. One of Ash's Meganium's legs was on Alex's Meganium's neck. The force that Ash's Meganium came down with was enough to put a lot of pressure on Alex's Meganium's neck. Soon, Alex's Meganium succumbed to the pressure on his neck.

"Great job Meganium," Ash said.

"Mega (Thanks)," Meganium said.

"I can't believe this," Alex said, returning his Meganium. He then looked back at Ash with a contemplative look. "Can it be that I need to treat and train my Pokemon compassionately? Is that what I'm missing?" he asked.

"It looks like you're finally starting to understand what the sages of the Sprout Tower and Lance were trying to make you understand," Ash said, returning his Meganium.

Alex didn't have anything to say as he left the Underground. Then Ash moved on. He soon confronted a Rocket grunt.

"You've caused enough trouble for us. Hopefully, the battle you had with that other kid has worn your Pokemon down enough for us to put you in your place," the grunt said before releasing a Vileplume.

"The only one who will be put in their place is you," Ash said before releasing Pidgeot.

Vileplume didn't stand much of a chance against Ash's Pidgeot, going down in only a couple of minutes. The grunt's Gastly didn't fare much better as Pidgeot used Mirror Move after Gastly vainly used Night Shade.

"You may have beaten me. But you won't be able to get any further without figuring out the order to flip the three switches like the one you see beside me. Here's a hint: The order that you need to flip them isn't the most obvious one," the grunt said.

'Well so much for the ol' 1-2-3,' Ash thought before moving on.

Soon, another grunt confronted him. After another battle that didn't take long, he had received another clue about the order of the switches.

"The odds have it," the grunt said.

Then Ash moved on to face the third grunt. After another quick battle, he received the final clue.

"Even is in the middle," the grunt said.

/Well have you figured it out yet?/ Charizard asked.

/Yes. The most obvious order is 1-2-3, even though the even is in the middle. So the only other option is 3-2-1/ He then flipped the switches in that order.

All the shutter doors were now open. He had actually ended up catching two thieves red handed and quickly defeated them. After battling female grunt, he opened the emegency door and entered the next room. He made his way through a maze-like room. He battled three grunts along the way.

"Is there someone there?" a familiar voice asked.

Ash recognized the voice. 'That must be the real director,' he thought. "Where are you?" he asked.

"I'm standing in the middle of these boxes," the director responded.

Ash made his way inside the little opening between the boxes and saw the director standing there.

"Thank you so much for freeing me," the director said.

"It's no problem," Ash said.

"But it's not over just yet. There's an area of the Radio Tower than can't be accessed without a Card Key. The Team Rocket executive that disguised himself as me is now in the room of the 5th floor that can only be accessed from stairwell F. He's trying to control Pokemon using the radio's frequency. Here, take this Card Key to get to and stop him before he manages to do it," the director said, handing over a spare Card Key.

"Okay," Ash said, taking the Card Key from the director. Then he had "A" teleport him back to the Radio Tower. Then he went back to the 3rd floor before heading to the closed shutter door. He put in the Card Key and was granted access to stairwell E after dealing with the Rocket grunt that was guarding the stairwell.

Upon coming into the next room, he saw two Rocket grunts in the room; one looking directly at stairwell F. He quietly released Celebi and had her use Hypnosis on them. Then he returned her before entering stairwell F without incident. Upon coming to the room at the top of the stairwell, a female executive confronted him.

"I was hoping to get another crack at you. This time, I'll be the successor," the female executive said.

"Don't see that happening," Ash said.

The battle only ended up taking five minutes. Just like at the secret base in Mahogany Town, the executive was defeated.

"You're a pretty powerful trainer. You could make a top executive for Team Rocket," the executive said.

"That won't happen in this or any lifetime," Ash said. It wasn't long before he noticed the executive who posed as the Radio Tower's director.

The executive turned around and saw him. "So we meet again," he said. "But this time, I will be victorious," he added.

"Been there, done that," Ash said.

The executive growled before releasing a Houndour. Ash pointed his Pokedex at Houndour.

"Houndour, the dark fire puppy Pokemon. Houndour usually travel and hunt in packs," the Pokedex said.

"So dark and fire huh? Well then, I choose Sandslash!" Ash said, releasing Sandslash.

"Slash (Ready)," Sandslash said.

'Houndour, use Faint Attack!" the executive said.

Houndour seemed to disappear. Before Sandslash could react, something struck her. She looked down to see the Houndour now in front of her. Quickly reacting, she used Slash across Houndour's back. Houndour cried in pain from the devastating attack.

"Follow up with Earthquake!" Ash said.

Sandslash jumped up and came down hard. The tremor knocked Houndour and the executive off their feet. Houndour was down for the count.

"Let's see how you handle my next Pokemon. Wheezing, I choose you!" the executive said, releasing the said Pokemon.

"Wheezing (Let's do this)," Wheezing said.

"Wheezing, use Sludge!" the executive said.

Wheezing fired icky goop from its mouth.

"Jump Sandslash!" Ash said.

Sandslash jumped with only seconds to spare.

"Now Wheezing, take out this spiky Pokemon with Self Destruct!" the executive said.

"Oh no you don't. Use Slash quick!" Ash counterd.

Sandslash gave Wheezing a devastating slash. But Wheezing was still able to self-destruct, taking Sandslash as well as itself out.

"Sandslash return," Ash said, returning the fainted Sandslash. "Nice try," he added.

"Now get ready to face my strongest Pokemon. Houndoom, let's do this," the executive said, releasing Houndoom.

Ash noticed that Houndoom looked somewhat like Houndour. 'I bet that Houndoom is Houndour's evolved form,' he thought. "It's time to put an end to your plans here in Johto once and for all. Let's do this Lapras!" he said, releasing Lapras.

"Lapras la lap (Let's drive them out)," Lapras said.

"Use Faint Attack!" the executive said.

"Use Protect!" Ash countered.

The Faint Attack did next to no damage due to Lapras protecting herself.

"Blast it away with Hydro Pump!" Ash said.

Lapras used Hydro Pump, forcing Houndoom into a wall. Houndoom was able to get back up.

"Use Shadow Ball Houndoom!" the executive said.

Houndoom fired the ball of shadowy energy.

"Counter it with Ice Beam!" Ash said.

Lapras complied. The Ice Beam actually cut through the Shadow Ball. It kept going and soon froze Houndoom solid. The executive pulled out a Full Restore, and threw it on the frozen Houndoom. The bottle broke, releasing the contents of the Full Restore. Sure enough, the ice began to thaw. Soon, Houndoom looked completely regenerated.

"What was that?" Ash asked.

"That was a Full Restore, a very useful item," the executive responded smirking.

Well Lapras, that means that we'll have to faint this Pokemon," Ash said.

"Lapras lap (Ready to comply)," Lapras said.

"Use Blizzard!" Ash said.

Lapras fired the attack from her mouth.

"Get out of there with Faint Attack!" the executive said.

Houndoom faded out of the Blizzard's way.

"Quick! Follow up with Icy Wind!" Ash said.

Lapras fired a cold wind from her mouth, catching the reappearing Houndoom off guard. Houndoom was blown into a wall.

"Now finish it off with Hydro Pump!" Ash said.

Lapras fired a powerful stream of water towards Houdoom. Before Houndoom could react, it was bombarded. The Hydro Pump's pressure proved to be too much for Houndoom and it soon fainted.

"No! How can this be possible? The notorioius Team Rocket, foiled by a kid," the executive said.

"Anything is possible," Ash retorted.

"You won this battle kid. But the war is not over. The boss will hear about all the trouble you caused us," the executive said before throwing a smoke grenade on the floor.

When the smoke cleared, the two executives were gone. Several minutes later, the director came into the room.

"Thank you so much for freeing us. Team Rocket has left the city. Everyone is grateful for what you have done for us," the director said.

"No problem. Helping out is what we do best," Ash said, Lapras nodding. He then returned Lapras and headed outside the Radio Tower. He found quite the reception waiting for him.

All the people of Goldenrod City had gathered around the Radio Tower. They cheered, hailing Ash as a hero. Then the mayor stepped forward.

"On behalf of our fair city, I would like to thank you for freeing us from the dastardly Team Rocket," the mayor said.

"It was no problem sir," Ash said. Then he and the others heard bells ringing in the distance. "What's that?" he asked.

"That's the Crystal Bells. It means that Suicune must be around," a person in the crowd responded.

/That must also mean that Suicune is ready to face you Ash/ Lugia said.

/Then we're off to Ecruteak/ He first moved towards the Pokemon Center.

The crowd quickly made a path for him.

"If you ever need to get items for yourself and/or your Pokemon, you can get them here free of charge. It's the least we can do to thank you for ridding us of Team Rocket," the mayor said, the people of the Goldenrod City Mall eagerly nodding in agreement.

"Thanks," Ash said before continuing towards the Pokemon Center. He arrived several minutes later. Ten minutes later, he got his Pokemon back. Then he headed for Ecruteak. He arrived back in Ecruteak half an hour later and headed for the Tin Tower. Five minutes later, he had entered the tower.

Suicune was there, but he wasn't alone. Entei and Raikou were also there. Entei and Raikou ran out of the building before going in different directions. Suicune on the other hand didn't move. He smirked at Ash, which Ash returned. It was the moment of truth. Whether Suicune goes with Ash will totally depend on the outcome of this battle.

And that's the end of another chapter. As far as Ash's Meganium not being affected by Alex's Meganium's Sweet Scent, I feel that a Meganium shouldn't fall under the affects of Sweet Scent if the attack is from an opposing Meganium. Ash is about to battle the legendary Suicune. Preview for Chapter 11: Clash of the Dragons: The awaited battle between Ash and Suicune is finally here. Afterwards, Ash continues on towards Blackthorn City and his final gym battle. This is the final battle standing between him and the Elite Four so stay tuned to find out the outcome.

There will be two legendary battles in this chapter. Which other legendary Pokemon will Ash battle against? You'll have to wait and see.