Chapter Four: Flame Thrower Uiru and Jessica told the police about Matt and Allison's abduction. Within moments the police cars were crusing down the road towards Persimmion City. In a little while, things seemed to calm down. Trainers who were awakened by the alarm offered to help, and after a while the police decided to let them. "Let us go!" Uiru demanded of the nurse. "No way!" The nurse was adamant. "You two have seen enough action for one night." "Our friends are in big trouble!" Jessica shouted at her. "I understand that, but I can tell your energy is almost gone. As soon as the adreneline wears off you'll both collapse anyway. You'd be putting yourselves and maybe others in danger. Now go to bed, and in the morning, if the police havn't found your friends, you can help. But I think they'll be found soon, the Persimmon Police Force are very good." The nurse looked at the red mark on Jessica's face. "Where did that come from?" Uiru used liberal amounts of colorful language to describe Thunders. Jessica just said, "Thunders hit me, and then Uiru hit him. Hard. Repeatedly." The nurse laughed. "Chivalry is not dead yet, then?" Uiru shrugged. "Now go to bed, the both of you. That awful mark should be gone by tomorrow." Uiru and Jessica knew it was pointless to resist. They allowed themselves to be marched back to the dorm. "You know," Uiru said as soon as the nurse had left, "I think that nurse is used to getting her own way." "Yeah," Jessica agreed. "She knows what's best. That's what makes a nurse a good nurse." She yawned. "Ow, that still hurts. And she's right, now I feel totally drained." Uiru yawned too. "Good night." "Good night." Matt awoke to find himself in a room with Thunders, Showers, and Allison. Within seconds of regaining consciousness, he charged Thunders. "Come on, Thunders, make my day!" Thunders simply pulled a revolver and pointed it at Matt. "On second thought... we can make that some other day..." Matt said slowly as he slowly sat down again. "Where are we?" Allison asked. "Persimmon," Showers answered. "Where exactly, we can't tell you. Somewhere well hidden, obviously." "What do you want us for?" Matt asked. "We'd like your Pokémon," Thunders started. Matt noticed he was holding his stomach. "Something happen to your gut?" Matt asked with sarcastic concern. "No," Thunders snapped. "You're going to steal our Pokémon? Why did you kidnap us, then?" Allison asked. "You're very inquisitive, you know that?" Showers commented. "Well, since SOMEBODY isn't enough of a man to fight hand to hand, there isn't much TO do, is there?" Matt glared at Thunders. "We don't like having to retrain Pokémon to obey new owners, so we like to get the trainer to help us as well," Showers explained. "Help you do what?" Allison asked. "Our boss will explain it all to you. He should be here in a few minutes." Thunders and Showers left. Allison checked to see if she still had her Pokémon. "Those morons! They didn't take our Pokémon!" "There's no sence trying to battle our way out," Matt replied. "There could be an army of trainers in here for all we know." "I'll tell you what I'm gonna do," Allison grinned. "Beedrill, come out!" "What are you going to do with Beedrill?" Matt asked. "Beedrill, punch out that window up there!" Allison ordered. Beedrill flew high up and found the window. With a single poke, the glass shattered. "Now go find Uiru and Jessica!" Allison said. "Tell them where we are!" Beedrill nodded and flew out the window. "Pretty good," Matt declared. "I wonder how long it'll take it to find them?" "Give it time," Allison replied. The conversation was cut short as the door swung open, to reveal the imposing form of Booster. "Allison, Matt. I'm happy to make your aquaintance." "Booster, I presume?" Matt asked. "Yes, I am Booster," he answered. "What do you want with us?" Allison asked again. "I'm just getting to that." Booster took out a Poké Ball and called out his Flareon. "In another part of the world, one that you've never heard of, there is a large war going on. My commander is in charge of defending a certain part of that continent. The invaders favor Fire type Pokémon, and my commander's troops don't have anything strong against Fire." "And what does this have to do with us?" Matt asked. "Simple. We want your help, or at least, your Pokémon." Matt laughed. "My three Pokémon are Grass types. They won't be of any help to you." "And you're not getting my Kabuto," Allison declared. "I caught it myself with only a Mankey. If you want one, go catch your own." "We aren't interested in taking your Kabuto," Booster started. "Myself, Thunders and Showers... We are not heartless trainers. We understand the bond between a Pokémon and it's trainer. We aren't the bad guys here." "You kidnapped us," Matt replied. "So don't act innocent." "We kidnapped you because we can't risk wasting time. Our people need the help of any trainer they can, right now. The invaders are the evil ones. They use their Pokémon to inflict pain and suffering on our people." Booster's fists clenched. "You two, and your friends, I can see you're all very skilled trainers. There'll be a chopper coming tomorrow at noon to pick up the new recruits. You two will stay here until then. I'll have Showers bring you something to eat in a little while." There was silence for a long time. "Hey Allison... Are you okay?" Matt noticed she looked very upset. "I wonder... I wonder if they've taken Charteruse yet..." "Charteruse, your hometown? What about it?" Allison looked straight at him. "Do you even know where Charteruse is?" "No, I..." Matt gasped. "Is Charteruse under attack?" Allison nodded. "It must be by now. My parents sent me to Turcott Park when they heard the invaders were on their way. I decided then and there that I was gonna be a trainer, so I could go back and fight for my town." She was quiet for a minute, then went on. "I was so mad, I'd attack anything that got in my way, to power up my Pokémon. I actually had Kabuto before I caught that Weedle, I just told Uiru Beedrill was my first. I don't hate him or anything, I just wanted my Pokémon to win so they'd get stronger." "I see..." Matt said. "Matt, I... I know I'm not ready, but I'm going to fight. Will you... come with me?" "Allison... I'll help you." Allison smiled at him. Then she laughed. "What's so funny?" Matt asked. "If Beedrill finds Uiru and Jessica, they're going to flatten this place," Allison answered. "Do you think we should tell Booster?" "Yeah," Matt agreed. "They should still be at the Pokémon Center. That nurse would never let them leave before they got some sleep." Matt grinned. "Booster should send that nurse to the front lines. She'd teach those invaders a lesson." Allison laughed. "Where's Showers? I'm hungry now." Ring ring ring, ring ring ring! Phone call! Phone call! The nurse yawned. "Who could be calling this early in the morning?" she asked herself. She picked up the reciever. "Hello, Pokémon Center. How may I help you?" "Hello, nurse?" Matt asked. "Is Uiru still there?" "Huh...? Oh, it's you, Matt!" Her fatique and irritation at being woken up disappeared. "Where are you, Matt? The city is in a spin!" "Don't worry, me and Allison are all right. I really need to speak to Uiru, if he's still there." "Hang on, I'll go get him," the nurse replied. A moment later, a groggy Uiru appeared. "Yes?" "You look like hell in the morning," Matt cracked. "Shut up." "Now listen, Uiru. Those guys that kidnapped us, they're on our side! Well, they're on Allison's side, but... It's a long story. Is Jessica still there?" "She should be," Uiru yawned. "Wake up Uiru, this is important!" Matt shouted. "Get Jessica and come down to this address." An address flashed on the bottom of the screen. "Me and Allison will be there." "Okay, I got it," Uiru replied, writing it down. He yawned. "By the way, if you see Beedrill, bring it with you, okay?" Matt asked. "We sent Beedrill out to find you, but that was before we got the full story." "Yeah, yeah, we're on our way," Uiru muttered. He hung up the phone as Jessica ran back into the Center. "Hey Uiru, look! It's Allison's Beedrill! I found it outside." Uiru sighed. "At least we don't have to look for it." "Pardon?" "Get your stuff, I'll explain on the way." Uiru yawned. Although the sun was shining, Uiru felt a fair bit of apprehension walking through the clichéd abandoned warehouse district. "Where did Matt say to meet us?" Jessica asked. "Right here," Uiru answered. "You don't think this is a trap, do you?" Jessica asked, looking around. "Uiru! It's Thunders!" Uiru spun and faced him, ready for a brawl in an instant. "What are you doing here? Where's Matt?" "He's here," Thunders answered. "We're all here. Come out, guys." Booster and Showers appeared, along with Matt and Allison. "My name is Booster," he began. "First of all, we apoligize for kidnapping your friends. As you can see, they're all right." "Guys, can I talk to Uiru alone?" Matt asked. Booster nodded. "We'll be at the Helipad. We've got a few hours before our ride comes." Booster, Showers and Thunders departed. "What's going on? What ride?" Uiru asked. "Uiru, this is gonna sound wierd, but those guys need our help," Matt replied. Matt and Allison told Uiru and Jessica all about what was happening. "So Charteruse might be under attack," Uiru stated after the lengthy explanation was over. "Yeah," Allison answered. "Can you help us Uiru? You'd be such a great help." "I... I guess so," Uiru decided. "Oh, that's right. We got you something Matt." He tossed him a Poké Ball. "We found an Exeggcute on the way, and I decided to catch it for you." "Hey, thanks!" Matt replied. "You owe me a Poké Ball." Matt grinned and tossed him one of his empty Poké Balls. "Will you come too Jessica?" Uiru asked. "All right," she agreed. "This could be looked at as a great Pokémon learning experience." "There's sure to be new Pokémon where we're going," Uiru added. "That's right! I never thought of that," Allison realized. "Let's go to the Helipad, guys," Matt suggested. "We're leaving in a few hours and we might be able to get some more information out of Booster." There were a few more trainers gathered at the Helipad when they arrived. Patrick was a Bug trainer, Nick was a Water trainer and Curtis was a Rock trainer. Uiru and company introduced themselves. It wasn't long before a seven-way Pokémon battle erupted. Uiru's Abra was doing great until Geodude attacked it. Then Geodude got beaten in by Cubone, who in turn fell to Tentacool. Pikachu took down Tentacool and was put to sleep by Paras, who was beaten by Machop. Booster, Showers and Thunders appeared on the scene. "Good, good!" Booster cheered. "You've all got such talent." "How about you take on our Pokémon?" Showers suggested. "Each of you pick one Pokémon to battle with. Vaporeon, go!" "Flareon, go!" "Jolteon, go!" "Sandshrew, I choose you!" "Bulbasaur, go!" "Mankey, attack!" "Time for battle, Gastly!" "Go, Venonat!" "I choose you, Psyduck!" "Go, Omanyte!" Much to the despair of the seven young trainers, the three Eons creamed them. They were much stronger then they were, and had more powerful attacks. Flareon took out Venonat and Bulbasaur with Flame Thrower, then Vaporeon attacked with Hydro Pump, which heavily damaged Sandshrew. Then Jolteon struck with Thunder, wounding Omanyte and Psyduck. Mankey and Gastly couldn't take any more after the triple elemental blast. Booster roared with laughter. "That's the real way to win!" he announced. "Teaming up Pokémon's abilities! Works every time!" "You cheap @%!$," Matt cursed. "And now our Pokémon are weakened." "We'll be stopping in Turquoise Lake first," Showers announced. "That's where I'm from!" Jessica exclaimed. "I havn't been home in a while..." "You'll have a little while to look around," Showers told her. "When we get there, we'll be boarding a ship that will take us to the battle." "There'll be a ton of trainers there," Thunders added. "After healing your Pokémon in Turquoise Lake, try not to get in any duels that will weaken your Pokémon. There won't be a chance to heal them when we enter enemy territory." "Our first target will be Charteruse City," Booster declared. "We'll be attacking in units. You seven, and us three, will be Fire Strike unit, under my leadership. Our first job will be to clean out the Flame Force from Charteruse City, and defend it from further attack." Showers pointed. "The chopper!" "All right, everyone! I hope you all used the can because it's a few hours to Turquoise." They waited until the chopper landed, then they all filed in. Before Uiru boarded the helicopter, he turned to Thunders. "For now, we're allies," he stated. "But you lay a hand on her or any of my friends again, and I don't care if we're in the pits of hell- I'll beat you to a bloody pulp." "Hey, I'm sorry about that," Thunders apoligized. "I won't do it again." "You didn't hit me," Uiru replied curtly. Thunders laughed. "You're right. You're an honorable kid, you know that?" He went to apoligise to Jessica.