Chapter 19

The Great Escape

-Asher-

I unclipped the pistol the from the guard's unconscious body. I held in my sweaty hand and aimed it at the door. My Ice/Dark-Type, Weavile was at my heels. I had reclaimed my Pokeball Belt after I escape from the chair and knocked out the guard who came to check up on me. They should have paid closer attention to the tool by my feet.

I was getting out of here and I was going to find my brother and warn Mewtwo. Whichever came first.

The metallic door opened. There he was, Kane, the leader of this entire operation. I finally picked up on his name.

His eyes widened. He reached for the gun on his belt but I was quicker. I pulled the trigger and a bullet was sent into his side. He collapsed in heap in the doorway.

"You'll never leave this place alive!" He barked.

I aimed to gun up to his head. I was about to fire when I heard shouts coming from the corridor. A red head woman was running towards me with a Magmortar at her side. The Magmortar lifted one of its massive cannon arms and launched a fireball at me.

I ducked and the fireball exploded on the wall behind me.

"Another time, Kane." Weavile crawled on my shoulder and we sprinted down the dark hallway.

I still had the gun with me, just in case. Balls of fire sailed past my head and exploded at my feet. I turned back and fired at the woman but missed. I looked back ahead and saw an elevator. That would bring me to the upper level of the cave no doubt.

"Keep her busy!" I ordered to my Weavile.

He nodded and started shooting Ice Beams at her. My adrenaline was running low and my injuries were starting to take their toll. I still pushed myself to keep going.

Weavile launched another Ice Beam at the woman. It hit her in the arm and covered it in ice. The unexpected shift of weight in her arm made her fall. Sneasel then fired one at the Magmortar. Covering both of its cannons in ice. Weavile cackled his signature laugh.

"Weavile!" He jeered at the two.

"You won't get away with this!" The woman shouted at me.

"I already am, sweetheart!" I smiled at her.

I made to the the elevator and flipped the switch so it would go up. I shifted the gun around in my hands. Weavile was now on the ground instead of on my shoulders. The elevator dinged and the door opened.

A cluster of bullets and Pokemon attacks were immediately launched at me. Weavile acted fast and put up a shield of thick, impenetrable ice to protect us. The bullets and attacks continued to rain down on us. The ice started to chip away.

I nodded to Weavile and he put his hands up to the shield. Suddenly, the shield bursted into pieces and flew at our attackers, knocking them to the ground. Weavile hopped on my shoulder and I ran through the top floor of the cave. I saw machines of all kinds. I saw computers, mapping out places in Kanto. I also saw a dozen armed guards blocking the entrance.

"Shit!" I veered left as they fired upon me.

I looked around and saw a tunnel. I decided to follow it. I followed every twist and turn of the tunnel. The footsteps were getting closer. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. It stung my eyes and I had to squint. I hadn't seen sunlight in days. I stepped out into the daylight and saw that I was on a cliff. Below me was nothing but sharp rocks and crashing waves.

I turned all the way around, surveying my surroundings. The only way off this cliff was down below.

More thugs marched out of the tunnel. The red headed woman was right behind them. They surrounded me so my back was to the cliff. Finally, Kane with his bleeding side, walked out into the light. He clutched his side while his Salamence stood next to him.

"I'm going to enjoy watching your bones break against those rocks as you drown." He smiled manically.

"I don't know; I'm a good swimmer." I said back.

I reached behind me and unclipped the Pokeball that belonged to my Honchcrow, Darkwing.

"Nobody could survive that fall!" The red headed said in disbelief.

"Who said anything about falling?" I smirked.

I spun around and threw Darkwing's Pokeball in the air. Weavile clung to my shirt as I took off in a running start. Darkwing appeared in a flash of light from the Pokeball. I was at the edge of the cliff.

"Salamence, Dragon Pulse!" Kane shouted.

The Salamence fired a bright purple beam at my feet. I jumped at the right second and the Dragon Pulse blew the edge of the cliff off. Everything was in slow motion. I reached for the Pokeball and grabbed it before it could fall into the ocean. I had dropped the gun at this point and my arms were flailing. I grabbed hold of Darkwing's leg and he took off.

My pursuers fired at me with all sorts of Pokemon attacks and guns but I was already flying out of sight. I climbed onto Darkwing's back. Weavile sighed with relief. I was free. For now.

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-Griffin-

"Liam, what are you doing?" I asked as he poked my forehead repeatedly.

"I am testing your willpower." He answered.

"What does willpower have to do with any of this?"

"We'll see how long you can go with me poking you."

"Stop."

"Come on, man. I haven't been doing it for that long." He continued to jab his finger into my head.

"Please, stop."

"You cannot let your emotions control."

"Liam. Stop!"

"If your will is strong enough, you can do anything."

I punched him in the side and he fell off my bed. We had gotten back awhile ago from our little visit to Simon's creepy apartment, and I was trying to go to bed.

"It's official. I'm not becoming a Green Lantern." I said.

Liam was on the ground clutching his side. "Your willpower is weak!"

"Whatever. Goodnight." I shut the lights off and crawled under my covers.
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I was walking through what seemed to be a cave. I was alone. My Pokemon nor my friends were there. It was dark but there was a blinking light at the end of the tunnel. I followed the light until I was greeted by metal door.

I turned the rusty knob and entered the room. Strapped in a chair was my brother, Asher. I immediately went to him.

"I'm getting you out." I said.

"Your too late." His brown eyes looked deeply into mine. "You can't save me or your friends."

I turned around and I saw my friends tied up. Giving me pleading looks with their eyes. I stepped towards them but a ring of fire instantly surrounded them. The flames were too big. My heart was pounding. Sweat was trickling down my face. The whole room was on fire.

"You've killed us." Asher said as the flames crept up his chair.
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I sit up straight in my bed. My shirt was soaked with sweat. I took it off and kicked the covers aside. I turned my pillow over so it was cool and not dripping with sweat. My Pokemon were sleeping on a pile of blankets and pillows at the foot of my bed. I stared at the red glowing digits on the alarm clock. It read, 1:32 a.m.

"Griffin, are you awake?" I heard Liam whisper.

"Yeah." My voice sounded dry.

"Cool. Can I ask you something?"

"Go for it."

"Do you think Mia likes me?"

"Of course she does."

"I mean, likes-likes me."

"I'm pretty sure she does. Her face brightens up when she's around you."

"You sure?"

"Totally."

"Maybe when all if this is done, I can ask her out or whatever. I'll be with her at the Ranger Base and all."

My heart sank. That was right, Liam was going to become a Ranger. We wouldn't be traveling like we always talked about.

"Yeah. What's stopping you from doing it now?"

"I dunno. What's stopping you from asking Zoey out? Or make a move on her?"

"Maybe it's because I don't like her!" My face flashed red.

"Griffin. I'm stupid, but I'm not oblivious. I know you like her. So what's stopping you?"

"I don't know. I would love to have her as a girlfriend but I don't think she likes me like that ya know. She's way out of my league. Besides, I'd probably blow all of my chances."

"I think she might like you. I'm thirty percent sure."

"That seventy percent says other wise."

"I'm trying to give you encourage meant here!"

"Just forget about it." I turned over so I was facing the window.

The lights of the city seemed to be at war with the stars and the moon. I always preferred the view of the night sky.

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"Griffin Black!" Zoey screeched.

"Arceus, save me." I muttered.

Liam, Mia, and I were waiting outside of the Pokemon Center for Zoey.

"I challenge you to a battle!" She jabbed my chest with her forefinger.

"We probably need to the hit the road..."

"Just a quick one-on-one battle. I still need to get back at you for beating my at the school!"

"I thought you were over that!"

"I still wanna have a battle."

"Fine."

"Yay!" She grabbed my arm and started dragging me.

She lead us to a nearby park that allowed battling. I could hear Mia and Liam placing bets behind me. Zoey took her spot a few yards away from me and unclipped a Pokeball from her belt. Her brown hair bounced as she threw the Pokeball in the air. Out came her Zebstrika.

"If you want a rematch." I said as I threw Hex's Pokeball.

My Pokemon all cheered us on.

"I have twenty bucks riding on you, Griffin!" Liam shouted.

I shook my head. "Hex, let's start things off with Swords Dance!"

My Absol's horn flashed white and she jerked her head side to side, slicing the air.

"Zebstrika, Flame Charge!"

Zebstrika stamped his hooves and fire started racing throughout his body. Zebstrika galloped at an intense speed and nailed Hex with a burst of flames.

"Get up quickly, then use Psycho Cut!" I ordered.

Hex jumped to her feet. Her horn glowed a bright pink. Hex lunged at Zebstrika and sliced her neck with her horn. Zebstrika fell to his knees but he recovered quickly.

"Zebstrika, Discharge!"

Zebstrika's white stripes turned yellow from the electricity. The Electric-Type released it in a serious of lightning bolts which hit Hex.

"Absol." She grunted in pain on the ground.

"We gotta keep fighting, Hex! Use Ice Beam then Night Slash!"

The Disaster Pokemon shot a stream of ice at Zebstrika. The Electric-Type's front legs were frozen to the ground. Hex then jerked her head and slashed Zebstrika. Zebstrika cried out in pain.

"Break free with Flame Charge! Then use Stomp!"

Fire formed around Zebstrika's hooves. The flames melted the ice and the Electric-Type's legs were free. Zebstrika raised hooves in the air and brought them down on Hex's back. Hex collapsed to the ground.

"Finish it off with Wild Charge!"

Electricity raced through Zebstrika's body. Zebstrika charged towards the weakened Hex and rammed her, releasing sparks everywhere.

Hex fell at my feet in defeat.

"You did good, girl." I returned Hex to her Pokeball.

"Awesome job, Zebstrika!" Zoey returned her Pokemon. "Good job, Griffin."

"You too." I smiled.

"Thanks for getting me this cash!" Mia smirked at me and waved her wad of money Liam's face.

"Yeah, thanks Griffin." Liam scowled.

"Your acting like I lost on purpose!" I exclaimed.

"Guys!" A familiar voice shouted.

I looked to see Simon Porter running towards us. He stopped in front of us with his hands on his knees, panting.

"Will you be departing soon?" He asked.

"We're about to leave now." I said.

"I just wanted to say good luck. I also want to hear every detail of your valiant crusade. So please visit me. I'll buy you a cup of coffee."

"I don't think you need anymore coffee." Mia said.

All of us laughed except Simon when we noticed his jittery hand.

"I also wanted to tell you, Zoey, that I find your natural scent attractive. If you ever think of having a-"

"Leave! Leave now!" Zoey yelled.

"I just-"

"Leave before I tear your limbs off!"

"Yes, m'lady." He dashed off.

"I hate him so much." Zoey sighed.

"Me too. But he's kind of hard to hate." I said, patting her shoulder.

"We should get going. Fuchsia City is going to take two maybe even three days to get two." Mia added.

I looked to the skies and saw a shadowy figure in the distance dart down into the forest. I shrugged it off. Thinking it was nothing.

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Author's note: SCHOOL IS OUT!!!! Which means more time to write chapters. Hopefully. I am definitely making more progress than I did in Protectors in terms of publishing. Summer will also give me some time to test out some new book ideas! Edge of War is coming to an end in a couple of chapters. And we now have 1k reads! Which seems a lot to me seeing as though only about 1,500-2,000 people live in my small Iowan Town. By the way, I got a special award for English out the entire middle school. Mostly cause I'm good in it and I like to write. Most of the time.

VOTE, COMMENT, SHARE, AND SCREW SCHOOL!!!!