The Hybrid Experiment

Chapter 4: The Mystery Trainer

*Voltflare's POV*

We've been walking for hours... Where is this 'Ecruteak City,' anyway? I think to myself, gradually running out of stamina with each snap of a branch or rustle of leaves under my feet.

Nathan hears my heavy breathing and turns to me,

"Do you need a rest, buddy? Ecruteak is only about twenty minutes away, but we can stop for a quick break if you need it."

Thank you... Nathan... I silently tell him, looking at him and smiling before sitting down on the forest floor, my legs grateful for some respite. As I lie there, I watch, curiously, as Nathan fiddles with a device on his belt.

"I just need to calibrate this to the right frequency..." he mutters, and I hear a few beeps come from the small box. After about a minute of odd sounds, the noise changes to static, and, finally, to a loud, booming voice. I instantly recognize the voice as Maxwell's and move closer to the device to listen. Nathan holds the object closer to my ear, as the voice starts talking again,

"So he thinks he can outsmart me, hmm? He doesn't seem to realize that he is outnumbered beyond imagine- not even his precious little hybrid can save him from the combined force that is Team Rocket... Hmm, what's this?

...

They've been sighted in the forest outside Ecruteak?

...

And there was another Trainer with a Latios that helped them escape?

...

Blast it all- it's not like Team Rocket has its hands full with a traitor, and now we have him to deal with..." Maxwell utters a few choice words that Nathan tells me never to repeat before continuing,

'Fine... In that case, I will find them myself! In the meantime, organize a raid on Ecruteak. I want everyone's Pokemon stolen and the town burned to the ground! Anything else you would like to add, Giovanni?'

The voice pauses, and a new one takes its place.

'... I expect no less than success. Do not fail me- if this traitor is allowed to prosper... The entire organization will be in jeopardy!' the leader says to, presumably, some of his guards. Then, I hear a low, guttural growl come from the object and jump back in shock. The device ceases to make noise shortly afterwards.

That sounded like... Like... An Eevee... B-but something definitely wasn't right about it!

Nathan seems to share my sentiments and exchanges a nervous glance with me before sprinting into the forest; I struggle to keep pace with him as he goes.

*Nathan's POV*

I have to get to Ecruteak City before they do! If that sound that I heard was what I think it is, the town has no idea what is coming to them!

However, in my haste to leave the forest, I do not see the trap laid for me, and, without warning, my foot catches on a vine, dragging my to the ground. My head hits the dirt with a loud crack, and I figure something must have been bruised from the heavy fall. However, before I can get back up, the vine I had tripped over slowly wraps itself around my ankle, and I quickly realize that the vine is attached to a Pokemon, and, whatever it is, it doesn't like my being here at all.

Instinctively, I reach for my Pokeball containing my Metagross, but another vine grabs my wrist and gently takes it from me.

This Pokemon... What could it be? And why is it... I stop when I swivel to face my attacker and am greeted by the angriest-looking Venusaur that I have ever seen. I have no idea how to fight the snarling beast, as I am trapped with no Pokemon, and I can barely contain my panic.