Chapter 5: Hunted
I had been a couple hours since Alex had left Goldenrod City. Noir Mask and Carson had only just come in on the train from Saffron, which had been mostly vacant. The two had learned of Alex’s rather effortless escape from the two grunts that had tried to apprehend them. Carson chewed out the two grunts for their incompetence. Noir Mask meanwhile had gone to check out where Alex had been.
“Our Mr. Blaze apparently had gone to a condo owned by Calvin Winters.” Noir Mask told Carson. “It appears he’s looking for someone.”
“Yeah, one of the two idiots that let him escape said he was looking for hi girlfriend.” Carson told her. “Looks like his memory’s come back after all.”
“Well it doesn’t matter either way.” Noir Mask said as she pulled out a Pokeball from behind her cape. “What we need to do now is find him. Go Houndoom!”
Emerging from the thrown ball was a large black dog with a red snout and underbelly. In place of ears were two long white horns that curved back, and it had a thin tail that ended in a point like that of a demon. On its back were three white bands that looked like ribs, and around its neck was what looked like a white collar with a small skull on the front.
“Do you have the item I asked you to bring?” Noir Mask asked Carson.
“Yeah, I’ve got the cap Recruit 17 wore.” Carson said as he handed the Team Rocket uniform hat to her. “But I still don’t see what good it is.”
“Just shut up and watch.” Noir Mask told him as she took the hat.
Noir Mask held the hat in front of Houndoom. The black dog sniffed the cap and then charged off.
“There, Houndoom had our target’s sent.” Noir Mask told Carson. “And it looks like its not very old. Let’s go before the trial goes cold.”
With that, Noir Mask and Carson followed Houndoom.
* * *
Back in Unova, Nora continued on through the snow and icy winds. Upon entering another small forest, she came upon a man with a long black beard wearing an eye patch over his left eye and a black fur lined coat and gloves with black pants and boots. Nora did not like the looks of this individual and decided to avoid him, even though he could’ve potentially provided her with directions to the nearest town. But as Nora tried to get away, the man spotted her.
“Hey, you Nora Winters?” the man called.
“What if I am?” Nora asked.
“I’m a bounty hunter hired by your father to come find you.” The man answered. “Now let’s go!”
“You can tell my father that I’m not coming back!” Nora said defiantly.
“C’mon girl, don’t be stupid.” The hunter said sounding annoyed. “You can’t survive out here in this wilderness.”
“I’ll survive anything to get back to Alex!” Nora told him. “Now go away!”
“Fine, looks like I’m gonna have to do this the hard way.” The hunter sighed. “Go Mightyena!”
The hunters threw out three Pokeballs, and from them emerged three dog-like creatures with shaggy fur that was black on the back, tail, and feet, and grey everywhere else. Immediately Nora sent out Glaceon, Froslass, and Swinub. The Mightyena charged at the three Pokemon.
“Glaceon, use Iron Tail!” Nora commanded.
Glacieon flipped in the air as its tail began to glow with a white light. It hit the first Mightyena in the forehead with its tail. As the second Mightyena charged at Froslass, Froslass gave it a seductive wink that sent out pink energy in the shape of a heart. The attack hit the Mightyena in the face, and immediately the dog-like creature sat down and started panting and wagging its tail at Froslass.
“Wow so you know Attract.” Nora said to Froslass. “You’re full of surprises. Now hit that Mightyena with Ice Beam!”
Froslass fired a beam of white energy from the diamond shape on her forehead, which hit the disoriented Mightyena and froze it in ice. Meanwhile the third Mightyena was about to attack Swinub. Swinub suddenly glowed with an icy-blue aura and suddenly snow-covered rocks rained down from the sky and hit all three of the Mightyena, knocking them out. Suddenly Swinub began to glow white and change shape. When the light cleared, Swinub had gotten larger and its fur had gotten shaggier. It had gained a hump on its back and small tusks near his mouth. Swinub had evolved into a Piloswine.
“What the hell?” the hunter exclaimed.
“Glaceon, use Blizzard!” Nora commanded.
Glaceon breathed out a huge storm of snow at the hunter. While the hunter was temporarily blinded, Nora quickly called back her three Pokemon and ran away as quickly as she could. She kept running for about twenty minutes until she was sure that the hunter wasn’t following her. Nora decided to take a quick rest against a nearby tree. It was clear that her father had found out she’d run off. Nora had been expecting that, and she knew that she had to be more careful.
* * *
Back in Johto, Alex was headed towards Ecruteak City. As he passed a small pond, Zoroark suddenly jumped out from behind the bushes along the path.
“Alex Blaze I presume?” Noir Mask said as she also emerged from the bushes.
“I’m guessing you’re not on your way to a costume party.” Alex commented, as he looked Noir Mask over.
“I am Noir Mask, a special agent of Team Rocket.” Noir Mask said, introducing herself. “And as you’ve probably guessed, I’ve been sent to retrieve you.”
“I told your goons back in Goldenrod I’m not going back with you.” Alex said defiantly.
“I’m afraid neither of us has a choice.” Noir Mask told him. “I have my orders. Now you can come along with me quietly, or I can take you in by force. And I strongly suggest that you come quietly.”
“Get lost!” Alex told her.
“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Noir Mask sighed. “Go Hydreigon and Bisharp!”
Hydreigon emerged from its Pokeball. Noir Mask’s other Pokemon, Bisharp, was about as tall as Zoroark and looked as if it was wearing a black rimed red helmet with a gold blade on top and a gold mask. It also looked as if it were wearing red shoulder pads and silver gloves with a blade on the side of the wrist. Sticking out of the front of its torso were two bladed disks that made Bisharp look as if it had an external ribcage.
“This is your last chance.” Noir Mask told Alex. “Surrender or face my wrath.”
Before Alex could make a move, something quickly charged up from behind and got between him and Noir Mask’s three Pokemon. The thing in question was a yellow-white horse with a horn on its head like a unicorn’s. Its mane and tail were made out of flames, and it had more flames coming out around its hooves. Alex knew this Pokemon to be a Rapidash, and there was someone riding it. This someone was a young woman who looked to be in her early twenties. She had long black hair, green eyes, and was wearing a red tank top, denim vest, denim shorts, and black boots. Noir Mask looked as if she was not at all pleased to see the rider.
“It’s been awhile Noir Mask.” The rider said to the elite Rocket agent. “Just what kind of trouble are you causing now?”
“Lisa Flare.” Noir Mask spat. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I was just passing through when I saw you attacking this guy.” Lisa said as she dismounted Rapidash and called it back to its Pokeball. Alex could see that Lisa was about six feet tall. “Since when do elite agents of Team Rocket spend her time harassing travelers?”
“That’s none of your concern!” Noir Mask shouted. “But now that you’re here we can finally settle the score between us.”
“Whatever.” Lisa replied as she threw out a Pokeball. “Go Phoenix!”
Emerging from the thrown ball was a tall humanoid creature with a red bird-like face and body. It had grey talons for hands, yellow feet, and long blond hair-like feathers that split down the middle like a V. The creature was about the same height as Lisa was. Alex knew the Pokemon to be a Blaziken.
“Go Arcanine!” Lisa called out as she threw out another ball.
The creature that emerged was a very large dog that was mostly orange with black stripes. It had a shaggy tail of cream-colored fur, and that same colored fur covered the top of its head, chest, snout, and the back of its legs. Lisa pulled out another Pokeball, one that was orange and white and had a yellow lightning bolt on top and large yellow circles on the sides.
“Go Entei!” Lisa called out as she threw the ball.
Emerging from the thrown ball was a large brown lion-like creature with a cream-colored underside. Its paws were white and on the sides of its back were large spiked grey plates. Between those plates was something that looked like billowing grey smoke. Entei’s face looked as if it were a mask with a three-pointed yellow crest on the forehead, red panels on the sides, and a white plate on the front that looked like a mustache. Alex was very amazed to see Entei, as he knew it to be a Legendary Pokemon that was often thought of as a myth.
“Hey you, you might want to get out of here now.” Lisa told Alex.
As much as Alex was blown away by the appearance of Lisa’s Pokemon, he decided to follow her advice and leave. But before he could Carson appeared and got in his way.
“You’re not getting away this time.” Carson said smugly.
With that Carson sent out three Pokemon. The first was a very large rock-like creature with grayish-brown skin that had orange-red patches on its head, shoulders, and around its stomach. It had a club-shaped tail and what looked like blades on its elbows. On its nose was a drill-like horn. Alex knew this Pokemon to be a Rhyperior, and he had seen Carson use it before.
The second Pokemon, a Tryanitar, was a large green lizard-like creature with rock-like skin, a blue belly, and a back full of spikes. Carson’s third Pokemon of course was Steelix. Alex sent out Quill, Ironhide, and Cinder to deal with them. Meanwhile the battle between Lisa and Noir Mask was just getting started.
“Bisharp, attack with Night Slash!” Noir Mask commanded.
The blade on Bisharp’s right wrist began glowing with a purple energy as it charged at Arcanine. But before the attack could hit, Arcanine seemed to vanish, surprising both Noir Mask and Bisharp.
“Too slow.” Lisa commented. “Arcanine, attack Bisharp with Flame Charge!”
Arcanine reappeared and ran at Bisharp. Its body became completely covered in flames. The fiery canine rammed into Bisharp with such force that it was knocked into a tree.
“Entei, attack Zoroarc with Flamethrower!” Lisa commanded.
Entei breathed out a stream of flames at Zoroark, but the monster fox quickly managed to dodge the attack.
“Night Daze Zoroark!” Noir Mask commanded.
Zoroark’s eyes began to glow blue and its body began glowing with a red aura. It raised its arms up and slammed them into the ground, sending out a tidal wave of crimson energy. Entei was hit hard by the attack but quickly recovered.
“Entei, fight back with Eruption!” Lisa commanded.
Entei reared back its head and spat a stream of molten fire that hit Zoroark dead on.
“Hydreigon, attack Entei with Dark Pulse!” Noir Mask commanded.
Hydreigon reared back its three heads and fired several rings of black energy at Entei. Phoenix however got in the way of the attack and took little damage.
“Phoenix, attack with Hi Jump Kick!” Lisa commanded.
Phoenix jumped high in the air and hit Hydreigon in the chest with a flying kick from its right foot.
“Sky Uppercut!” Lisa commanded.
Phoenix’s right talon began to glow with a white aura and curled into a fist. It then hit Hydreigon’s main head with a devastating punch to the jaw. Meanwhile, Alex was struggling against Carson.
“Okay Rhyperior, hit that wimpy Quilava with Drill Charge!” Carson commanded.
Rhyperior charged, bent down, and hit Quill with its drill horn, throwing Quill up into the air. Quill slammed back into the ground but somehow managed to get back to its feet.
“Tyranitar, hit that Lairon with Flamethrower!” Carson commanded. Tyranitar breathed out a continuous stream of fire at Ironhide, hitting it right in the head. “Just give up already and come back with us like a good boy.”
“I’ll never give up. Not until I find Nora!” Alex said with a determined expression. “Ironhide, hit Tyrnaitar with Iron Head!”
The plate on Ironhide’s head began to glow white. Ironhide then charged into the stream of flames and hit Tyranitar hard in the chest.
“What the hell?” Carson exclaimed with a look of surprise.
“I told you I won’t give up, and neither will my Pokemon!” Alex declared.
Quill and Ironhide cried out and suddenly their bodies began to glow with a white light and change shape. When the light cleared, Ironhide had grown much larger and was standing on its hind legs, while its front legs had developed into arms. Much of its body had turned dark-grey and its tail had become more developed. Two long horns had grown through the armor plate on his head, which had changed to become like a mask. Ironhide had evolved into an Aggron.
Quill meanwhile, had also become larger and was standing on its hind legs. It had gained the appearance of a creature that looked to be a cross between a bear and a badger. The red flame vents on its body had moved to spots around its neck. Quill had evolved into a Typhlosion. With its evolution complete, Quill roared and spike flames erupted from the vents around its neck.
“Ironhide, hit Tyranitar with Superpower!” Alex commanded.
Ironhide began to glow with a blue aura and charged Tryanitar. It then hit the green lizard with a series of devastating blows from its claws until Tyranitar was knocked to the ground. Quill meanwhile, had opened its mouth, and in front of it formed a large ball of light-blue energy.
“That’s a Focus Blast.” Alex observed. “Okay Quill, use that blast to hit Rhyperior!”
Quill fired the ball at Rhyperior, hitting it in the chest. The attack seemed to leave Rhyperior with a devastating blow.
“Ironhide, finish Rhyperior with Iron Tail!” Alex commanded.
Ironhide’s tail began to glow with a white light. It charged forward and slammed its tail into Rhyperior’s back. The rock-skinned creature fell to the ground.
“I’m not out yet punk!” Carson declared. “Steelix, hit them with Hyper Beam!”
Steelix opened its mouth and fired a beam of golden light. Quill, Ironhide, and Cinder managed to dodge the attack.
“Cinder, hit Steelix with Fire Spine!” Alex commanded.
Cinder raised its cannon-like arms and fired two streams of flames that surrounded Steelix like a tornado. The twister cleared after a few moments, and Steelix looked as if it had taken a bad hit.
“Quill, finish it with Inferno!” Alex commanded.
The flames around Quill’s neck grew larger and brighter. Quill then breathed out a storm of flames that hit Steelix like a wave. The metal snake fell to the ground with a large thud.
“Damnit!” Carson shouted as he called back his three Pokemon. “We have to retreat Noir Mask!”
Noir Mask gritted her teethe and called back Zoroark, Hydreigon, and Bisharp.
“That idiot!” Noir Mask spat as she sent out Houndoom. “It looks like we’ll have to finish this another time Lisa. Smog attack Houndoom!”
Houndoom breathed out a cloud of thick purple smoke that caused Lisa, Alex, and their Pokemon to cough. The smog lifted after a moment to reveal that Noir Mask, Houndoom, and Carson were long gone.
“Looks like they got away.” Lisa observed. “They’ll probably be back, but not for awhile. We might as well take a minute to rest.”
With that, Lisa sent out three other Pokemon. One of course was Rapidash. One of the other two was a large white fox with silky fur and nine beautiful tails. Alex knew this Pokemon to be a Ninetails. The other was a small four-legged mammal with red fur, large black eyes, long ears, a thick mane of yellow fur around its neck, and a tuft of yellow fur on its forehead. Alex identified the Pokemon as a Flareon. Flareon walked up to Lisa and looked up at her expectantly.
“Oh, okay, but only for a few minutes.” Lisa smiled as she held out her arms. Flareon jumped up and Lisa began carrying it.
Alex meanwhile had decided that a quick break would be a good thing and sent out Blade. Alex’s four Pokemon began to socialize with a few of Lisa’s. Meanwhile Ninetails went over to the pond and looked down into it while Rapidash trotted over to take a drink.
“What’s your Ninetails looking at?” Alex asked Lisa.
“Herself probably.” Lisa answered. “Ever since I evolved her and entered her in that Pokemon Contest back home she’s been a little vein. So, care to tell me why Team Rocket is after you?”
The two Pokemon Trainers sat down, and Alex told Lisa the twisted story of how Nora’s father had abducted him and had Team Rocket brainwash him into a soldier. Lisa was both surprised and disgusted by the tale.
“Just when I thought Team Rocket couldn’t get any worse.” Lisa sighed. “They must want you back pretty badly if they sent Noir Mask after you. She’s one of the most dangerous members of the organization.”
“Seems like you know her pretty well.” Alex observed.
“I ran into her about ten years ago.” Lisa told him. “From the moment we met she seemed to hate me for some reason, and she still does it looks like. It’s like she blames me for something, but I have no clue what that is. Anyway, it was actually in this area not long after I captured Entei.”
Suddenly Alex remembered the story Bolt told him about fighting Team Rocket ten years before in Ecruteak City with a few others. He realized that it would’ve been around the same time Lisa faced Noir Mask.
“Hey do you know a guy named Bolt?” Alex asked.
“Let’s see, blond? Carries a guitar? Thinks he’s God’s gift to women?” Lisa asked.
“I don’t know about that last part, but that sounds like him.” Alex replied.
“I know him.” Lisa confirmed. “It was not long after I caught Entei that I helped Bolt and these two other friends of mine fought Team Rocket in Ecruteak City. Of course that wasn’t Noir Mask, that was against the leader of Team Rocket himself and a bunch of his goons.”
“I see…” Alex replied.
“So what do you plan to do if your girlfriend isn’t in Ecruteak?” Lisa suddenly asked.
“I’m not sure.” Alex answered honestly. “But I’m not giving up until I find her.”
“Well if you don’t find her there, I do have a couple of friends in the city that might be able to help.” Lisa told him as she suddenly got up.
“Who are they?” Alex asked.
“Well they might not be there. The two of them like to travel a lot.” Lisa answered. “But you’ll know the guy by his Pikachu. Well, I think I’ll be going.”
With that, Lisa called back all her Pokemon except Rapidash.
“Where are you headed?” Alex asked.
“I’m not really sure myself.” Lisa answered as she mounted Rapidash. “But maybe we’ll run into each other again. In any case, it was nice meeting you Alex. I really hope you find Nora. Good luck.”
With that, Rapidash galloped away. Alex got back up and called back his Pokemon. It was time for him to get back on the road as well.
