Chapter 1: Mountain-top Encounter!
This is the story of Holly, the daughter of Ash and one the women he met on his journeys (I won't reveal who the mother is! You'll just have to wait and see!) Ash has been traveling in the Reltoh Region, a region of my own invention, for the summer taking on challengers. This Region has its own Pokémon Gyms and a League. It also has two new Pokémon Types: Light and Spirit Type, which I will explore in the story. The main character of the story is Holly, not Ash (it's time to pass on the torch I say!) I hope you enjoy!
HOLLY:
Holly shoved her face against the car window as the vehicle climbed the steep mountain road. Her blue eyes squinted as she gazed at foggy valley hundreds of feet below. It was early morning and the only human who was pleased with the absurd hour was her father, Ash Ketchum. Glancing at him, Holly took in his messy raven locks sticking out from a baseball cap from his native Kanto, his brown eyes intent on the road, his fingers drumming a beat on the steering wheel as he hummed an old tune. His best friend and partner, the electric pokémon Pikachu softly slumbered on his lap. Holly narrowed her eyes at the rodent's peaceful breathing and envied his ability to sleep on such a bumpy ride. Holly muttered some choice words under her breath and unfortunately Ash seemed to hear her.
"Quite the scowl you've got there Holly. Could it be you're picturing your bed back in the hotel?" Apparently Dad had noticed her grumbling from when she had woken up until now. Of course he had, Holly thought to herself.
"Can't hide anything from you Dad." She said with a roll of her eyes. "Was it the frequent sighs or just the obvious fact that we got up at 5 in the morning that clued you in?" Holly stretched her shoulders back and yawned. "What could be so important that we had to leave the hotel before the crack of dawn?"
"Honey, you know a Champion can't walk in public without attracting attention." Dad explained, eyes on the road. "If we had left any later, the press would have found and followed us, and our trip would have been spoiled."
"Yeah yeah. The press." Been dodging them my whole life. Could you at least tell me where we are going?" Holly whined. "It better be someplace good."
"Just you wait Hol! It's a surprise, but I know you'll love it." Dad said with a smile. "After all, you can't really complain. I was up hours before you!"
Holly breathed a frustrated sigh. "Well yeah Dad! I'm not a Champion who has to train for challengers all the time. Where do you get your energy anyway? You can't have gotten more than 4 hours of sleep."
"I get my energy from coffee and pure awesomeness! Ha HA! You can't spend most of your life sleeping! You miss all the fun." With a wink, Dad slowed the car and pulled onto a trail through the forest. Holly peered out the window to see the pine trees flash by. The branches were so tightly interwoven that light couldn't get through them. Soon the car was bumping over roots and Holly was jostled in her seat. Glancing at her father, she noticed excitement in his eyes and the car sped up.
"Daaaaad! Slow down! Jeeze!" She cried as trunks and branches seemed to spring out of the darkness. Dad just skillfully yanked on the wheel and swerved through the foliage.
"This'll wake you up Hol! WOO WHOO! This is part of the fun! I have it under control!" Dad laughed and the car dove down a small hill and up another flying up into the air. Upon landing, Pikachu finally woke up.
"Pi? PikaPi? Chaaa!" said the little yellow Pokémon. After a yawn Pikachu sat up and looked out the driver's side window. "PiPikachu!" he cried out happily.
"See Hol? Pikachu trusts me! Swerve left, swerve right, and dodge the double trunked tree. It's just as Professor Larch told me."
"Professor Larch? The old crazy guy who was talking about the new Pokémon Types in the region? What was it, Glow and Phantom? Whoa watch out for the bush!" Holly screeched. Dad veered around the thorny shrub and kept up the insane speed. Not that it stopped him from jabbering away is if he were just walking normally.
"Light Type and Spirit Type, honey. I don't see why not. Dark Type, Steel Type and Fairy Type were all discovered while I was traveling. Why can't there be more? After all the places I've been, nothing would surprise me. Oop! We're here!" Dad slammed on the brakes and the car slid to a halt. Holly flew forward at the unexpected stop and just as quickly slammed back into her seat, her black hair flying all over. Glaring at the windshield, she blew a strand away from her face, turning a scowl at her father. Ash just shrugged and grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry Hol. But we made it! Grab the picnic basket and follow me!" He shouted gleefully, springing from the car and out into the dense trees, Pikachu on his heels. Holly could never stay mad at her father for long. With a light sigh and a half smile she kicked her door open, paused to grab the food and sprinted after Ash.
"Dad wait up! You know I can't keep up with your long legs!" Holly yelled. She heard crashing through the bushes just ahead and followed the sound. Suddenly she found herself face to face with a wall of fur. Stepping back trying to keep her balance she slipped on something soft and fell on her back. "Oof!"
The wall of fur made a loud roaring noise and sprang to its feet. Several feet taller than her, grey fur covered massive muscles and claws as long as her hands. Hard black eyes burned into hers and she looked in horror at the large jet black teeth and worse still, inky colored steam pouring from its wide open jaws. Holly felt very small compared to this monstrous creature. With a low growl, the beast snapped it teeth right above her. Holly lay on the ground staring in equal wonder and fascination at the massive beast.
Summoning her courage, Holly took a breath and let her eyes become kind and calming. "Hello there! Sorry to wake you… and was that your… paw I slipped on? I'm so sorry…" She croaked and eventually trailed off, trying to sound brave but only mustering a low murmur. The hulking figure was not amused. Apparently he didn't like being woken up at this hour any more than Holly had earlier this morning. But unlike Holly had, the beast let out a deafening roar, steam pouring from his maw, some billowing in Holly's face but most of it blasting into the sky. Ew, thought Holly, at least I didn't blast that at my dad when he woke me up this morning! With a little panicked squeak she thought furiously, Where IS Dad?
"Holly!" yelled a familiar voice. It was Ash and Pikachu come to the rescue. Well thank Arceus, Holly thought to herself.
"Hey you! Steam Breath!" Dad yelled trying to get its attention. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size? Infernape, I choose you!" Ash snatched a Pokéball from his belt and hurled it into the air. In a blast of light, the flaming ape landed skillfully on the ground, ready to face the threat.
The hulking beast turned towards his opponent in a rage and sent a blast of steam towards the Trainer and his two Pokémon. Ash leaped to one side of the column of smoke and Infernape and Pikachu hopped to the other. With a spark from the giant grey beast's mouth, the plume of black smoke caught fire and exploded. Holly covered herself with the picnic basket she still gripped and felt the heat of the blast through her jeans. She quickly looked up to make sure that her father was fine. Dad had rolled to safety and was looking at the beast in shock.
"Clever Pokémon. Projects gas and then lights it on fire." Ash mused to himself. "Gotta end this fast. Infernape, use Dig! Pikachu use Thunderbolt, Let's go!" Infernape dived into the ground as easily as a Swimmer might dive into a pool. Pikachu focused and with a "PikaaaaCHUUU!" let loose a powerful blast of electricity that arched towards the enemy. The beast took the shock and fell to its knees. A split second later, Infernape burst up from the ground and clocked the beast right on the chin sending it reeling. It turned angrily towards its tormentors letting loose a roar with bits of smoky gas.
"Not this time!" Dad yelled "Pikachu Quick Attack! Infernape use Mach Punch!" Both extremely fast moves hit the beast at the same time and it was unable to battle anymore.
"Holly! Are you all right?" Ash exclaimed, running over to his fallen daughter and glancing her over. Holly realized she wasn't in any pain and took a quick look at herself. Her jeans had a slight bit of scotched smell to them but the picnic basket had saved the rest of her from any serious burns. Her green jacket had pine needles all over, but nothing a quick brush off couldn't fix.
"I'm okay Dad. Nothing broken or anything." Holly accepted the hand Ash offered and was pulled to her feet. Holly guiltily looked over at the fallen hulk of a Pokémon. "It was my fault. I ran into him and he attacked me in defense. I'm thankful you saved me Dad, but I think you might have over done it."
Ash scratched his cheek and said, "Well, I feel sorry he got taken down especially if he was only protecting himself." But her Dad's tone and eyes grew hard as he growled "Either way, there isn't anything I wouldn't have done to protect you him." Holly felt a chill at his aggressive expression but then a swell of affection for his protective nature. Dad's always going to be there for me.
"What kind of Pokémon is he anyway?" Ash wondered aloud as he reached for his Pokédex.
"Don't worry Dad. I got this. I got my very first Pokédex from Professor Larch remember?" Holly informed him and took out her brand new device from a pocket and aimed it at the hulking figure, stilling lying unconscious on the forest floor. A picture of the grey beast appeared in holograph form, hovering in front of the father-daughter pair.
A calm female voice read aloud information on the Pokémon: "Spitfire the Ignite Pokémon and the evolved form of Flandel, this harsh looking Pokémon can burn the gases it produces from its mouth with a spark it creates with its teeth." Holly stowed the device and looked at the fallen Spitfire. Ash approached the beast and knelt beside it. Infernape growled stood ready to fight some more but Pikachu relaxed and crept up beside Ash. Dad took off his pack and pulled out a Super Potion. He began spraying a few of the wounds that the Pokémon had acquired in the fight murmuring soothingly to the beast as he worked.
"Easy there fellah. Take it easy. I'm sorry I had to fight you. I had to protect my daughter. Holly would you come here please?" Ash called softly to her. "Slowly. You don't want to upset him."Holly warily glanced around and for half a second considered shaking her head, refusing her father's request. But no. This poor Pokémon was injured because of her. She would own up to her deed and try to make it better.
"Hello again Spitfire. Remember me?" At this point the Pokémon had awoken and was looking gratefully at Ash as his wounds were healed and bandaged up. Seeing Holly approach, he let loose a quick snarl. Holly took an involuntary step back at the same time as Ash patted the beast comfortingly. Dad looked at Holly wondering what her next move would be. Would she do the smart thing and walk away? Or would she try again?
"Sh sh. I know buddy." Holly calmly and quietly told the Spitfire. "You're hurt and you blame me. I am very sorry for what I did to you. It was an accident and to show my feelings, you can have some of the food we brought." Holly said, showing the picnic basket she had managed to keep ahold of this whole time.
"Here you go! Look! It's an Oran berry sandwich! My favorite! But I'll give it to you. Here, try some." Holly sat down by the Spitfire's head and offered the sandwich. The Pokémon glanced at her, smelled the sandwich and reached out with a bright neon yellow tongue that Holly hadn't noticed before. Holly gave the beast the sandwich and giggled. How odd that this big bad Pokémon with its smoke and fire has that silly looking tongue. The Spitfire gobbled up the sandwich and if ever a Pokémon could smile, this one did. Suddenly it extended its long tongue and licked the side of Holly's face, making her hair stick up.
"Yuck!" She cried laughing playfully pushing the jaws of the Pokémon away. "Your breath smells yucky bud! Don't do that!" She grinned at the Spitfire and thanks to the Oran berry sandwich, it already looked a ton better. Ash nodded approvingly at his daughter and was impressed with how she had handled the wild Pokémon. They helped the beast up on his feet.
"Oh shoot!" Dad said suddenly. "Hurry Holly! We are going to miss it if we don't move now! Come along this way and don't get left behind!" Ash sprang off into the trees again shouting a quick "Infernape Return!" as he passed the fire ape. Pikachu waiting for Holly this time around, stopping at the edge of the glen. Holly turned to her new friend and patted it on the nose and looked into its black eyes. They didn't look nearly as harsh this time.
"Good bye for now! I hope to see you again!" she told the Spitfire and sprinted after her father.
"Wait up Dad!" Holly yelled as she and Pikachu rushed into the woods. "This surprise had better be worth it!"
What did you think? Let me know! This is just the first chapter of many to come. Review if you want to!
END OF PART 1