A/N: From drabble tag on the PFCF (link in profile), using the prompts: ash, electrolysis, rough endoplasmic reticulum.
In the Mouth of a Wailord
Ash wasn't quite sure how he got into this situation, nor could he see an easy way out.
He could try reasoning with Wailord – but truth be told, that idea might have stood a better chance of working if he didn't have a feverish Pikachu in his arms. The sloppy water around them crackled with the random discharges, and his own clothes and hair were singed at their fraying tips. He still had the rubber gloves his mother had given him for his laundry though – and they never came in more handy than in situations like the current one.
Pikachu's cheeks sparked again, and Ash braced himself. When no shock came, he breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't a pretty sound, hearing the Wailord bellow in pain, or feeling its thrash in the ocean. His body served as a lightning rod, after all, for the discharge and the water they crouched in was the spreading web.
If only the Wailord would open his mouth instead of clenching his teeth – but they were under water it seemed. Ash could hear nothing save the churning water, see nothing save the gaping throat – not big enough for Ash to fit through, but enough for Pikachu.
The yellow mouse squirmed restlessly in his arms, cheeks sparking viciously and this time releasing an electric shock. Ash braced himself as the small cavern clenched around them and the sounds from outside grew more chaotic.
It was crazy; Pikachu was hurting, Wailord was hurting and it was neither's fault. Ash didn't think he could shout; he didn't know where the air they breathed came from, but it was heavy and thick and he doubted he could raise his voice very high at all without feeling faint. He doubted Wailord would be feeling kind enough to listen anyway, considering what they were – unintentionally – putting him through.
The only option then was to force his mouth open. Crude, but it would get them all into the current and that would have to be good enough. But he had nothing, just Pikachu and his other Poke balls –
The idea clicked in his mind as another one of Pikachu's accidental jolts wracked his – and Wailord's – frame. He clicked on one, releasing Groyvle. The hole wasn't big enough to suck him in either, which was good. Next was Swellow, who quickly spread his wings in the tight space, pushing Ash and Pikachu back. The boy felt something hard against his back. Teeth. Good.
He released Torkoal, who whimpered at the new water flood through and Ash tightened his grip on that Poke ball, ready to recall him as soon as the job was done.
Corphish was next, none to pleased about the closet space – or the shock from Pikachu's discharge, but he tolerated it. He trusted Ash; they all did. The teeth open a little more, and Ash grabbed the water crab as well. It wasn't quite wide enough for him, and releasing Pikachu into the water would do nothing. The electricity would flow back to them.
Snowrunt was the last, causing all Pokemon in contact with his cold body to shiver, but the little extra was enough. The teeth were biting Ash now, and Wailord thrashed underwater, pushing its own tongue to add to the din. The teeth widened a little more, and with little warning the human and six Pokemon were sent spiralling into the current.
Ash hastily recalled Torkoal, keeping a tight grip on his Poke balls. Still, one managed to get away, but the agile Corphish managed to grab it and recall Swellow. Snowrunt was close enough to grab Corphish, and it did, much to the water type's chagrin, and Groyvle seemed to be managing quite fine on his own.
Now all Ash had to do was find the surface...and then the Pokemon Centre.