Goodbye, Raichu

Chapter Six -- The Rescue

As soon as Ash heard the truck take off, he turned around and ran back towards it.

"C'mon, Pikachu, Persian. Let's go."

Tossing a Poké Ball, he let out Charizard. "Charizard, give us a lift."

Charizard flew up, back and around, matching Ash's speed. Ash and Pikachu jumped on its back and gripped firmly.

"Persian, can you keep up?"

Persian nodded to Ash, and ran ahead.

The team followed the truck to the outskirts of the small town and onto the road to Vermilion City. Unexpectedly, it seemed that it was slowing down. Charizard flew higher for a better view. There was something on the road further ahead. As they flew closer, Ash realized that it was a police road block. Misty must've come through.

As the utility came to a stop, Brent grabbed Tim, stood up, and put a knife at the boy's throat in full view of the police.

Brent wasted no time. "Clear the road in one minute or the boy's had it," he yelled.

A girl behind the police cars shouted, "Oh no, he's got Tim."

It was Misty. One police officer took her off the road. Others got into their cars, ready to meet the man's demands if they found no way to release the hostage.

"Release the boy, give yourselves up!" came a police officer's voice from a loudspeaker. "You can't escape."

"Thiry seconds!" shouted Brent, ignoring all attempts at negotiation.

The police acknowledged that there was nothing they could do. They cleared the road.

In the meantime, Persian had reached the stationary vehicle and jumped aboard, growling at Brent. Brent turned around, still holding Tim. He saw Persian. He realized that that this Pokémon would not necessarily obey the police. But he still had the upper hand. The boy was in his power, and even the boy's Pokémon wouldn't risk allowing Brent to hurt him.

As soon as the road cleared, the driver rammed the accelerator. Brent, who was standing, lost his balance as the vehicle lurched forward. Persian seized the chance, leapt, and bit Brent's hand that was holding the knife, forcing him to drop it. The three toppled over onto the floor of the truck.

As the vehicle continued to accelerate, Tim managed to get up on his knees and crawled behind Raichu's cage. Persian jumped on top of the cage, standing between the man and the boy. Brent picked up the knife again and advanced.

Suddenly, the sky cracked with a blinding flash. A lightning bolt descended, striking Brent and knocking him down unconscious. Tim looked up. Pikachu! With Ash on Charizard's back.

Charizard descended, slowed, let its passengers alight. Then it flew over the truck, grabbing it with his powerful limbs. As it flapped its wings, the car slowed, halted, until the wheels screeched and started to smoke. The two men in the cabin jumped out and darted in opposite directions. In an instant, Persian sprung and knocked down one man. A thunderbolt from Pikachu felled the other. The ordeal was over.

"I'm sorry I wasn't as brave as you, Ash," said Tim. "I was really scared of that guy."

"You did well, Tim," said Ash.

"That's enough now," a police officer interrupted. "Come with me, Tim. Your parents have arrived to take you home."

Another officer turned to Ash. "That was very foolish of you, young man, not informing us as soon as you suspected something. Not only could the poacher've gotten away, but you put a boy's life in danger."

Ash looked down. He couldn't argue. He had followed his heart, like he always did, and he knew that he had a good heart. Where did he go wrong?

"I was only caring about Pikachu," he finally ventured, daring to look up.

"Misty told us why you tried to solve the matter yourself, and I appreciate that your motives were honourable. But Ash, you have to think of all the consequences of your actions."

"So what's going to happen with Raichu?" Ash asked.

"We'll have a Pokémon nurse come over and check it out in the morning, and then we'll release it back in the wild. Do you know where it lives?"

"In the woods outside Pallet Town, near the road to Viridian City."

"Thanks, Ash. Now you realize it's nearly two o'clock. We better take you home."

"Please," pleaded Ash, "can we come with you when you set Raichu free?"

The police officer looked at Ash. She was genuinely angry at him for getting Tim into so much danger. But she also thought of his loyalty to his Pikachu. It seemed unfair to punish a Pokémon for its trainer's mistake.

"OK, Ash. I'll call you tomorrow when we're ready to go. Now get in the car. I'll take you and Pikachu home."