Pokemon: Alexandrite & Topaz

Chapter 38: Hope

"Wow. I got all 8 badges," said Sentoki as he got out of bed. He scratched the back of his head as he yawned and left his bedroom. He slowly made his way to the kitchen, only to find no one there. "Where is everyone?"

He wandered around the kitchen, opening the refrigerators and cabinets to make sure everything was still there. He picked up his pace and walked over to the dining area. In Lance's spot, he found a note that read: VISIT OAK'S LAB.

He changed into a black shirt and denim jeans. He put his regular sneakers and shades on and left the Daycare, not bringing any Pokemon with him. He opened the door and called out for Professor Oak.

"Oh hi, Sentoki!"

"Have you seen Lance or anyone else around?"

"No. I don't think so," shrugged the professor.

"Alright. Thanks, anyway."

Sentoki left and killed time by strolling around Pallet Town. Since he hasn't had breakfast yet, he ate at the Pokemon Center.

'It's so quiet without Hikaru and Kimyona.'

After he was done, he asked Nurse Joy if she's seen any of them. Not even she knew a single thing about where they were. He left and stopped at the place where his life was scared forever: his old house.

There was nothing left but grass. He kneeled down at the place where he stood as he watched his whole life be taken away from him. He looked down at the ground as a tear slowly came down his left eye.

"Hey you!"

It was Rida. Upon hearing his voice, Sentoki clutched a fist and his knuckles cracked.

"What do you want?!"

"I'm just here to say sorry."

"Do you even know what happened?!"

"Yes.....because.....I was there."

Sentoki's eyes grew as he jumped to his feet and cracked his knuckles.

"You were there?!"

"Yes. My father was a researcher like yours. When he was captured, they took us in as well."

Sentoki was speechless. He finally spoke up after wiping the tear. "I-I don't understand."

"Our dads had options. Stay captured or work with them. Your dad didn't want to join. My dad did but under one circumstance: form his own team and work with Team Rocket."

"So you're saying that you're being forced to fight us."

"Yes. My sisters and I are trying to help you. We failed on purpose with Zapdos and Articuno and we leave so the others don't find out about you."

Sentoki looked down at the ground, trying not to believe what Rida was saying.

"Sentoki, I'm trying not to say we're enemies. It's just what my dad wants. He doesn't want to be taken in cause if he's gone, we're gone."

Sentoki still stared at the ground. Rida, silent, went down the hill and left Sentoki. Halfway down, he stopped, looked at Sentoki and called him.

Sentoki looked up, alerted.

"Your dad's still alive."

He left the hill, with Sentoki still standing in the same place. After a few minutes, he left and went back to the Daycare.

Once again, there was no one there. He decided to cool off with the Pokemon. As soon as he opened the back door, "SURPRISE!"

"Huh? What the?"

"CONGRATULATIONS SENTOKI!!!!"

"Me? What'd I do?" asked Sentoki as he began to lighten up.

"You finished the first part of the Kanto League; getting all 8 badges!" said Hikaru as she came from behind with Kimyona.

"Oh I uhh.. Well Kimyona got all 8 badges as well," remarked Sentoki.

"It doesn't matter," said Kimyona.

"Yes, it does. In fact, this is for us," as he raised a glass of lemonade.

The rest did the same. They made a toast before scattering about the Pokemon Daycare. Suddenly, the iron gates of the Pokemon Daycare swung open. A group of men entered and a guy in black sunglass shouted," Who's party is this?!"

Lance stepped up and said," It's this guy's." Then he pointed at Sentoki. Sentoki turned red and began to shake and sweat. The man in the sunglass approached Sentoki along with his group of men. Sentoki dropped the lemonade as the man got closer.

He pushed his hair back and removed his sunglasses, slowly. He looked down at Sentoki and said," This is my party now. CRASH IT BOYS!"

His pose spread out and began to knockdown tables. The other partygoers began to scatter and leave helplessly. Lance ran off into the main building of the Day Care. The crashers continued to wreck and destroy property as others watched helplessly. The crashers took out their Pokemon to help them in destroying. Suddenly, a shiny beam shot past Sentoki and nailed a Nidoking in the center of its back.

"ENOUGH!" shouted Lance standing from the doorway of the Daycare Center. Beside him, stood Dragonite. Other Pokemon charged toward Dragonite but they were greeted by the fiery flames of Hikaru's Charizard. The Pokemon quickly stopped in their footing and tried to retreat by they were almost hit head-on by Kimyona's Venusaur's Razor Leaf. Finally, Rambo came out and sprayed them with a Water Pulse. The Pokemon and their owners were surrounded by Rambo, Charizard, Venusaur, and Dragonite. Lance nodded. All four Pokemon combined attacks and unleashed their power on the crashers. Smoke started emerging followed by the crashers running for their lives. Their Pokemon were no longer with them as they put them back in their Pokeballs during the attack. The iron gates were slammed shut after them.

Sentoki smiled as the party continued. It lasted up until 11 since the trio had to leave early. They would have to face the path to Indigo Plateau: Victory Road!