Friends or Users
isclaimer: I do not own Pokemon created by Satoshi Tajiri.
Friends or Users
Chapter 2
A week passed since the incident with Kai. Nurse Joy assured Ben the worst was over and he could continue on his journey. He still thought all of them needed to stay a little longer.
Ben was sitting down in one of the rooms looking out of window. The door slammed against the wall as it was forced open.
Ben didn't even notice until a sudden jolt forced him out of his train of thought. "Ben, are you okay?" asked Tadin.
"Y-yeah. I was just thinking." said Ben. "About the incident?" "Yeah. I knew he didn't like me but to the extent of hurting you guys like that."
"We're fine now. There is no need to worry about that anymore."
"That's the thing. I'm glad all of our injuries weren't serious but what I'm worried about is how we got here. The last thing I was running toward y'all and then waking up in a bed here."
"Wait, you don't know?" "Know what?" "Right before that next Hyper Beam hit us someone used protect and then teleport."
"But no one knows those moves." "Right, so we thought you did it before passing out." "This would be so much easier if we had a psychic type."
Tadin just laughed at that before putting an arm on Ben's shoulder. "Until then, we'll help you along the way."
"Thanks. Where are the others?" "Down stairs in the lobby, why?" "We should challenge the gym leader while we're here."
Tadin smiled at that. The two of walked down the stairs together. "Look who's finally out of their mood." said Blaze.
"Aw, did you miss turning you down like always." "So, what's the plan?" asked Neco. "Getting our first gym badge."
"Will it be hard?" asked Squirtle. "It depends. Oh right. I don't believe I got your name. Please forgive me for waiting so late."
"There was a lot going on, so it's fine. Actually I don't have a name. Can you give me one?"
Ben looked surprised. "You want me to give you a name?" "You're the alpha. It only makes since." "Alpha?! No, no, no. We're all equals here."
"Yeah, but you're still the boss." Ben just sighed at that, knowing it was pointless to keep on. "How about the name, Keith?"
"Keith? I like it. From now on my name is Keith." Ben just smiled at that. An Officer Jenny came into the Pokemon Center.
"Excuse me but are these your pokemon?" asked Officer Jenny. "Yes, why?" said Ben. "I am in search of trainers that can help me."
"Help you with what?"
"Two wild pokemon are inside a power plant and are keeping workers out. There has even been damage to the outside of the plant."
"That doesn't sound good. Any clue on the pokemon?"
"It's a gijinka Gallade and an anthro Dragonite on the inside. For some reason wild pokemon are protecting the perimeter."
"I see we'll help in any way we can."
"Thank you. The power plant is just down this street. I will meet you there with other trainers. You may use force if necessary."
Officer Jenny left, as Ben frowned at the last part. Tadin noticed this. "Is something wrong?" asked Tadin.
"It's just that there have to be a reason for them to be there. I prefer a peaceful resolve versus using force."
Ben left as the others followed close behind. When the power plant came in sight, a horde of wild pokemon were surrounding it.
"So what's the plan?" asked Blaze. "I'll slip in a ventilation shaft and head toward them. Before that, I will need time to get in."
"So a distraction will be in order." said Will. "Right."
"Blaze, Will you two divert their attention to the right. Out of all of us you two can slip away easier. Neco, Zeke you two are with me. We'll protect the entrance for Ben. Keith, you will aid Ben in any way you can on the inside." ordered Tadin.
Blaze and Neco nodded their heads and hurried to do as they were ordered. After waiting five minutes, the others headed toward the left side.
Most of the wild pokemon were on the right side, so it was easy to locate an air duct. Tadin pulled the covering off to allow Ben and Keith inside.
As soon as the both of them were inside, a Hidden Power hit the ground around Tadin, Neco, and and Zeke. A swarm of Beedrill surrounded them.
"Protect this route."
Tadin and Neco charge forward while Zeke covered them with a constant wave of Poison Sting. Keith walked in front of Ben as he crawled behind him. Ten feet along the shafts, a light came into view.
On the other side the Dragonite and a man with short green hair, wearing a light green vest, white shirt, pants, and shoes with two swords on his side in a generator room with the door way barricaded.
The Dragonite was on the ground with the Gallade over him. 'He looks injured. I wonder how that happened.' thought Ben.
"Why don't you come out and find out." said Gallade. Ben pushed the vent to let him and Keith in. The Dragonite growled as he tried to rise but fell back down.
"As you can see he's in no condition to fight but I am." The Gallade drew both of his swords. Keith stood in front Ben and held his arms out. Ben passed him.
"We're not here to fight. We just want to know why you two are here." said Ben.
"We were captured, imprisoned, and experimented on. The two of us didn't even know one another until we escaped from there. He was injured and crashed here. I used my psychic abilities to get the pokemon of this area to help."
"I can be of some assistance. If I can find out what the problem is then I can help." Gallade started at Ben before turning to the Dragonite. He let out a sigh before lowering his blades.
"If his conditions become worse, you're dead. Got it." "Crystal."
Ben walked over to the Dragonite and sat on his knees. The Dragonite growled at him, trying to look intimidating.
A large bruise was on his back right above the left wing. Ben looked closer and saw a small needle.
"So that's it." "What's it?" "He's been poisoned." "We know that much but when we gave in a Pecha berry, it did nothing."
"True but there is a reason." "The reason being?" "I see a needle in his back. It could contain poison making a Pecha berry useless until it's removed."
"But I didn't feel anything." said the Dragonite.
"The needle could've been coated in a poison that numbs an area while poisoning the rest of the body." explained Ben as he reached into his bag.
He pulled out a three small vials and handed two to Gallade.
"I'm going to pull the needle out. When I do give him those two vials. One contains juice from a Pecha berry and the other of an Oran berry."
"And the one in your hand?"
"It's of a Cheri berry. I'll rub it on the wound to undo the paralysis."
Ben gently placed a hand on Dragonite's back and began to pull the needle out slowly. As soon as it was out, Gallade gave him both of the vials. Ben gently rubbed Cheri berry juice.
Dragonite slowly rose as he sat up. He watched Ben as he put the vials back in his bag.
"Since you're feeling better, the only thing we have to worry about is explaining how this is just an accident."
Dragonite continued to watch Ben. Keith tugged on Ben's boot.
"What's wrong?" "What if we just leave out with and show they mean no harm?" suggested Keith.
"That just might work." "I thought there was something different about than other humans." said Gallade.
"What was it? My compassion?" "You're able to understand this Squirtle also I sense a strong psychic presence from you."
"I guess I can't hide that from a psychic type." "How are you able to do so?"
"A pokemon saved my life and gave this ability to do so but I'm really teaching myself how. So far I can use Psychic possibly Protect and Teleportation."
"What do you mean possibly?" "I happened to use them but I'm not for sure." "If you're able to use those abilities and not have a mentor, that is impressive."
"Thanks." A large explosion blasted the barrier. Officer Jenny came in with an Arcanine by her side. "You're okay. That's good." said Officer Jenny.
"Yes, we're fine but there is something you need to know." said Ben. "I already know. They just happened to seek refuge here." She turned to the both of them.
"You two are free to go but will y'all be okay on your own. I mean whoever did that could still be after you."
"We'll be fine, cause we won't be alone." said Gallade. Officer Jenny saw the looks they had on Ben and smiled before leaving.
"Since you two want to join up with me, what do I call you? said Ben. "My name is Zach."
"I am known as Kovu." said Dragonite. "My name is Ben and this here is Keith." said Ben. "Hello." said Keith.
Ben tossed two pokeballs toward them. After they went in, he let them back out. The four of them soon began their walk out.
As they got close to the exit, they saw Tadin and the others waiting there. "There you are. We thought something happened. Who are these two?" said Blaze.
"This is Zach and Kovu. They're going to be joining us on our journey." 'Great. More rivals for his attention.' though Blaze.
"Zach, Kovu I would like you to meet the other members of my team. Blaze, Tadin, Will, Zeke, and Neco. You two already know Keith." said Ben.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." said Zach as he bowed his head. "It is great you two are part of the team. Can't wait to see what you're capable of." said Tadin.
"Always great to make new friends." said Neco. Zeke just watched the pair carefully. Ben smiled before looking at Blaze with worry.
Kovu and Blaze were staring at one another. "Are you two?" asked Ben. The two of them still remained transfixed on the other.
Blaze's fists glowed white while Kovu's fists become covered in ice. The both of the charged each other. Before either one of the could land a hit Tadin pulled Blaze back and used his upper arms to pin Blaze's above his head.
Zach used psychic to keep Kovu in place. "What has gotten in to you two?!" Ben looked at the both of them. Their only response was a snarl toward one another.
"Now may be a good time to put them back in pokeball." suggested Tadin. Ben quickly pulled out their pokeballs.
The both of them broke free, as their punches almost connected to the others jaw, a red light absorbed them back into their pokeball.
Ben let out a breath. "That was too close. What do you think gotten into them?" asked Ben. "Dragon types are extremely territorial with other dragon types and will fight one another to defend what is theirs." explained Zach.
"But Blaze is a fire and flying type." "In his current state yes. But when he evolves he becomes a fire and dragon type"
"That is only possible if the both of us have a mega stone and that is in the Kalos region." "True but when that group still had us I overheard them say it was possible to mega evolve without one."
"I never heard of that way. Mega evolution is only done when the pokemon and trainer are one but to do that without the need for the other."
Ben shook his head. "That is too dangerous. Who knows what kind of strain they will have to go through to become stronger." said Ben.
"That is another reason we broke out." said Zach. "Do you know how many are still there?" "Should be none. All of us trashed the place pretty bad. Probably had to move to another location before they started to chase after us."
"We need to inform Officer Jenny about this." said Ben rushing out of the factory. As he reached the door a large explosion pushed him back.
Neco ran and caught him. "You okay?" asked Neco. "Yeah." said Ben standing up. All of them looked at the door and saw four figures.
Behind three of them was a Blaziken, and Agron, and a Medicham. The Blaziken stood behind a petite woman with long burgundy hair in a high ponytail wearing a silver bracelet a white dress that flared out with red and orange at the edges.
The Agron stood behind a man with platinum hair wearing a gray suit with a white dress shirt and black tie. The Medicham stood behind a man violet hair wearing wide frame glasses, a white lab coat, gray shirt and pants, holding a small laptop.
The last man was brutish looking with long red hair tied back and only wore gray pants that were tattered on the edges.
"Who are you and what do you want?" asked Ben. "It seems you have something that belong to us. Relinquish your hold on the Gallade and Dragonite we may allow you to say your goodbye to your pokemon." said the man with glasses.
Zach expected Ben to turn him and Kovu over but was shocked by his response. "The only way you four is getting to him is through my cold dead hands."
The woman laughed. "You've got spunk kid, I like that. Let's see if still feel that way after you're dead." The Blaziken and Aggron charged forward.
Ben got into a fighting stance but all of his pokemon went ahead of him.