this is a little story I thought of when I was doing a few errands...I'm not sure how many more chapters I'll do but there will be more. So I hope you enjoy this chapter and any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated. Anyway on with the story :)
CHAPTER 1: THE FIGHT, THE FLIGHT AND THE FALLEN
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT MISTY!?" bellowed the six-foot two inch teenager.
"WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT YOU BIG LOUT!" screamed Misty, "YOU SIT THERE ALL HIGH AND MIGHTY AND DONT GIVE A SECOND THOUGHT ABOUT ANYONE ELSE OTHER THAN YOUR POKEMON" She continued " BROCK COULD OF BEEN HURT OR WORSE BUT NO I'm the best thing since sliced bread, I knew exactly what I was doing!" she mocked in a deep voice that was supposed to resemble Ash's.
"Well Brock was fine wasn't he? He didn't get hurt it was just an accident," said Ash trying to lower his voice slightly. It didn't work.
"UGH!... YOU HAVN'T A CLUE! WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IF BROCK WASN'T ALRIGHT? WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IF BROCK GOT HIT BY THAT FALLING BRANCH?" Misty screamed again. Her voice was starting to hurt Ash's ears.
"WELL IT DIDN'T, SO WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SO ANGRY ABOUT?" replied Ash, whose voice had risen again.
"Eh...guys, I'm fine, really, it was just an accident!" interjected Brock.
"SHUT UP BROCK!" they roared in unison. Misty had had enough of Ash's blasé attitude. She stormed off in the direction of some trees, carrying nothing but her Azurill.
Ash rubbed his forehead. He could feel a headache threatening to erupt. To this day, he could never understand why Misty was so angry all the time. He never seemed to be on her good side. Shrugging his shoulders he turned to his companion who had hidden in his backpack.
"Sorry Pikachu, I didn't mean for that to happen. Misty really knows how to push my buttons sometimes" he chuckled quietly.
"Pika pi Pikachu chu" frowned the small electric rodent.
"I know it was an accident. We should be more careful where we use your volt tackle in future, little buddy." soothed Ash.
Brock was standing a couple of feet away, packing away a few utensils from lunch.
"Brock, I really am sorry ya know, and so is Pikachu" said a remorseful Ash.
"Don't sweat it, I've had worse scrapes," chuckled Brock as he glanced at his his grazed elbow.
Feeling a little better, Ash and Pikachu packed away the rest of their stuff. He spotted Misty's red rucksack lying against a rock. It had all her pokemon and clothes inside it. Ash felt a pang of guilt running through him. I hope she's okay, he thought sadly. When they were finished packing, they set off on their way to Prodical City. He was feeling excited at the prospect of earning his fifth badge from the gym there. He smiled to himself and then at Pikachu, who was snoozing gently on his left shoulder.
They had come a long way since the Kanto region. Ash had won every major league in each region and was now determined to win his Masters title which was being held in the Locus region. He thought back to when Misty had been there cheering him on in each match. It was what had given him his sense of unfaltering belief in his abilities. The desire to win was burning deeply within him. He was now on his journey for six years and he was now so close to reaching his dream.
They had walked in silence for an hour when suddenly the bright day began to darken. A dark shadow had been cast across the road they were travelling on. Perplexed, Ash and Brock stopped and looked up to see a huge meowth-shaped hot air balloon hovering above them.
"Ugh... not you guys!" sighed an exasperated Ash.
"To protect the world from deve..."
"CAN'T YOU GUYS COME BACK TOMORROW!?" interrupted Ash as he grabbed one of his pokeballs.
"Jessie he just insulted us, we aren't gonna let him get away with that are we?" asked James. His blue hair hung over his slightly effeminate features and a look of disbelief was plastered across his face.
"Listen here twerp; you're lucky we don't knock you into the middle of next week! Did your mother teach you those manners?!" spat an enraged Jessie.
"Oh please, lemme guess, you're here for Pikachu" said Ash rolling his eyes. He had seen enough of Team Rocket and their over the top antics to last him a lifetime.
"No more tawkin', lets grab da Pikachu and scram!" ordered Meowth. The small pokemon had a look of determination on his face. He whipped out a small remote control and pressed a little green button. A small puff of smoke erupted from the basket section of the balloon and a huge mechanical arm outstretched towards Pikachu grabbing him neatly with its claw.
"Pikachu, use thunderbolt!" ordered Ash to his friend who was now struggling high in the air.
"PIIIKKKAAACCHHUUUU!" A bright electric charge surged up the arm and surrounded Pikachu but nothing happened. Team Rocket cackled maniacally.
"Seems like we have the upper hand this time, little boy. Ha ha ha" teased Jessie.
"THE HELL YOU DO, GO CHARIZARD!" roared Ash as he flung a pokeball into the air. A white flash exploded from the red and white ball and out came a pokemon roaring with life.
"Charizard, melt that arm off using flamethrower and then swing round and use Ariel Ace!" Charizard did as he was told. A strong blast of fire engulfed the metal arm melting it instantly in one spot but the heavy claw gripping Pikachu did not open as expected. With a sickening crack it fell thirty feet to the ground with a trapped Pikachu. Ash watched helplessly as the weight of the device crashed down over Pikachu burying it under half melted metal shards.
"Uh oh..." quivered James and Jessie as they hugged each other in fear.
"Nice Charizard, we don't want to hurt you," pleaded Meowth upon seeing the scrap heap below them. Charizard's tail burned brightly in fury. He turned slowly and inhaled deeply. His eyes gazed menacingly at the three now cowering in the balloon before him. With one sweeping motion Charizard released his flames in the form of a fire blast. Instantly the balloon exploded under the immense heat and pressure sending Team Rocket flying into the sky leaving a trail of smoke behind them.
"Looks like Team Rocket are blasting of aaagggaaaaiiiinn!" With that the trio disappeared from sight with a flash.
Ash hadn't noticed that Tem rocket had now been eliminated. All he cared about was Pikachu. With every ounce of strength he lifted the charred remains of the mechanical arm off of Pikachu. He spotted the familiar bright yellow fur peeking out from underneath. Brock was also attempting to lift the scrap metal. Seeing his master struggling, Charizard swooped down and landed beside him. With a roar he bent down and lifted the metal with his strong claws which allowed Ash to grab Pikachu before the weight came crashing down again. The smell of singed fur filled Ash's nostrils. His heart was hammering in his chest. The still form of Pikachu moaned slightly in his arms.
"Brock, help Pikachu!" he gasped.
"Quick Ash, lay him down on the grass over there" he ordered pointing to a small patch of green on the side of the road.
"Pikachu, hold on buddy, you're gonna be fine." Said Ash frantically.
"This isn't good. We have to get him to a Pokemon Center" said Brock after quickly examining Pikachu.
"Bu...But you're a pokémon doctor, can't you help him?" cried Ash hopelessly as tears threatened to fall from his watery eyes.
"I don't have the supplies Ash...not for injuries like these!"
"Fine, where's the nearest Pokemon Center?"
"Eh...well according to my map its thirty miles away" answered Brock
"WHAT?" exclaimed Ash as panic overtook him.
Brock's eyebrows furrowed in thought. Slowly he looked up.
"Ash there is a town not far from here. It may not have a Pokemon Center but it might have a few medical supplies" said Brock. Ash nodded at the plan Brock had put forward. It was Pikachu's only chance.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" shouted Ash.
Ash thanked Charizard for all his help and recalled him into his pokeball. At first Ash thought about hopping up on to Charizard's back and flying to the Pokemon Center but then he remembered that Ash had grown substantially over the last few years and knew Charizard wouldn't be able to carry his weight for too long.
Brock was kneeling beside Pikachu and was slowly rubbing some mashed up berries into Pikachu's burns. Pikachu was struggling against the pain but still lay with eyes closed. Ash's worry returned two-fold for his fallen companion. Gently, he scooped the small pikachu up and cradled him softly in his arms and made his way down the dirt path they were originally walking on. Brock followed closely behind, leaving a smouldering pile of debris in their wake.
"According to this, the town is about a mile down this road. It's called Terrata town." said Brock matter-of-factly.
"Hold on Pikachu, we'll get ya better in no time." soothed Ash. Pikachu's eyes opened slowly in response to his trainer's voice. He managed a small 'Pi' before passing out again.
They had walked for ten minutes when a small town came into view.
"Brock, we made it" said a relieved Ash.
"I'm gonna run ahead and see what I can find" said Brock.
"Ok, but hurry up!" replied Ash impatiently. Pikachu was tough but not invincible. Half a tonne of scrap metal would crush most pokemon Pikachu's size. He was very lucky to be alive and Ash knew it.
"Damn those Team Rocket guys. When I see them again they won't know what hit them" growled Ash. He glanced down at Pikachu again. The little Pokemon's breath sounded laboured. Ash willed him to hang on just a little while longer.
Ash picked up his pace. He was now in the town. Small bungalows and shops lined the street on both sides. He spotted a two-storey building at the end of the road. 'The Welcome Inn' was spelt along the top of the roof. In the distance he spotted a figure running towards him. It was Brock and he was carrying a small white plastic bag in his left hand and waving at Ash with his right one. His tanned forehead was dripping in sweat from running full pelt.
"Ash...follow...me" he panted.
Brock led the way to the inn that Ash had spotted minutes ago. It was an old building with solid front doors and windows. Ash noticed that it was recently painted. The smell of turpentine filled the air. Brock led the way up a small staircase and into a hallway lined with doors.
"This is our room here, Room 12." informed Brock. Ash didn't really care at this point. Panic was starting to get the better of him. It felt like hours since Pikachu had budged in his arms.
"Lay him down on that couch over there and get me some towels and hot water." ordered Brock.
He gently placed Pikachu onto the small grey couch by the window and then ran to the bathroom. He felt so helpless and guilty for not protecting Pikachu from harm. His mind was reeling with thoughts of the yellow mouse not making through. A small voice at the back of his brain was saying something different though. It was telling him that Pikachu was tough and that he would recover in no time. He grabbed all the towels in the hot press and filled a small bowel with hot water from the tap. He placed them down beside Brocks feet.
"Ash, why don't you go and get some fresh air. I can handle Pikachu from here."
This was not suggestion it was a command from the Pokémon Doctor. If there was one thing Brock hated, it was people hovering over his shoulder. He needed his full concentration on the pokemon.
"No, I'm fine; I'm not going anywhere 'til I know that Pikachu is alright!"
"But Ash..."
"No buts, I ain't leaving Pikachu!" he huffed.
"Fine but stay out from under my feet!"
Brock turned his attention back to Pikachu. Ash sat on the edge of one of the beds and stared out of the window, His mind was blank from all thoughts. He felt exhausted from today's events. He gazed out of the window. He could see the tops of the forest trees from his position. The sun was starting to lower in the sky as clouds rolled in from above. His eyelids began to feel heavy and he flopped backwards onto the bed.
"Ash...Ash...wake up." Someone was shaking Ash's arm. It felt like he dozed off for an hour or two. He opened his eyes and could see the outline of a man in the dimming light. Focusing his eyes he could see the figure was Brock. Ash sat bolt upright.
"Wha..What's wrong Brock? Is it Pikachu? Is he alright?" he flustered.
Brock smiled gently at him. "Yes Ash, Pikachu will be fine. A few fractured ribs and a few cuts and bruises". Ash breathed out a long sigh of relief. He lifted his frame up off the bed and over to the couch. Pikachu was sleeping soundly and Ash could already see he was healing nicely. He petted Pikachu between the ears and the pokemon let out a soft 'Cha' in appreciation.
"Thanks Brock, I don't know what I would've done if you weren't here." He said softly turning to his best friend.
"Don't mention it, it's my job!" he smiled "And anyway me and Misty will always have your back"
Ash's stomach did somersaults at the mention of Misty. He had completely forgotten about her in all the chaos. He looked over at Brock who also had a look of guilt etched across his features.
"How the hell could I have forgotten about Misty!" exclaimed Ash as he rubbed his hands through his dark raven hair.
"Wasn't just you man, I forgot about her too...which is kinda hard to do, seeing as she can be so..." Brock never finished his sentence. From the glare Ash was giving him, it was better if he didn't.
"I'm going to look for her." stated Ash as he pulled on his shoes.
"But Ash it's getting dark out there and who knows where she has run off to!"
"I don't care, she can't have gotten too far, I have to try."
And with that he ran out the door leaving a slightly bewildered Brock to tend to a recovering pikacha.
TO BE CONTINUED...