Hi, guys! It's been a little while since I've updated this story, so I thought, why not?
I was originally going to post it once Chapter 3 was written, but...that hasn't happened yet. I'm still in the process of writing it, as nothing's coming to mind with it. I want to make it fun for you, but I cant motivate myself to write any more of it.
Perhaps once school starts, I'll be in the mood to write more of it. But honestly, who knows?
FantasyLover88: Thank you very much! And I won't change too much; I simply like giving the Mythical Pokémon backstories and all to explore and strengthen their relationship with Alice and her friends. Thanks for leaving a review! :)
Ivy the Snivy: Oh, I'm so nervous for that scene! I plan on telling some of it in Pikachu's POV, and some in Alice's, but I have no idea how it will turn out. And yeah, if there's one thing the newer anime episodes and movies lack, it's emotion. I remember myself and my little brother bawling at the end of Pokémon 4ever, thinking Celebi had really died. And Spell of the Unown, forget it. And maybe I'll have Pikachu stay "dead" for a few minutes longer? (God, that sounds horrible.) I don't know. But thank you so much for the encouragement, and thanks for reviewing!
"Martyn": I'll try to, don't worry. Thanks for reviewing! :)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Pokémon, or the song used in this chapter, and I never will. I only own Alice.
2 - Protecting a Princess
"You're Alice Ketchum, right?"
My best friend Pikachu jumps off my shoulder and growls playfully as I turn around to meet the pretty lavender gaze of a fellow female Trainer. She's outfitted in a dark purple dress with white buttons, and matching purple boots that reach up to her knees. A strand of her blonde hair is held back by a violet hair clip, keeping any stray hair out of her eyes.
"Yes," I answer, a bit suspicious. How does someone from Kalos know my name already?
"I'm Astrid, and I'm a Kalos Ace Trainer," she says proudly, a smirk on her face.
An Ace Trainer?! She must be incredibly strong!
"I've heard about how you've managed to defeat Viola at Santalune City and Grant at Cyllage City in only a few weeks or so. You're quite the impressive Trainer, if you ask me."
I can't restrain the blush that finds its way to my cheeks. "Thank you!"
"Pika pi," Pikachu coos from the ground.
"Would you mind battling me? My Absol's been wanting to battle a strong Trainer for a while now."
Meeting her smirk, I tip the brim of my hat over my eyes. "I never turn away from a challenge. I accept!"
"Does a three-on-three sound good to you, then?" she asks, her eyebrow wiggling playfully.
"As you wish."
The battlefield at the center of Avignon Town is now crowded with spectators, my three friends, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie, on the outside of the crowd. Astrid and I stand on opposite sides of the field, ready to battle.
She smirks as she tosses a Poké Ball, and in a flash of white light, a male Pyroar appears, its fiery mane blazing with energy. Pyroar paws at the ground, ready to charge.
I nod to my Electric-type buddy, and with a battle cry, he springs forward. His red cheeks spark with electric jolts, and he bares his teeth playfully at his opponent.
I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
"Pikachu, go!"
"Flamethrower!"
Pikachu leaps up just as Pyroar spits out a stream of searing flames. Once the fire dissolves, Pikachu lands safely behind the Fire-type, proud of his agility skills.
But Pyroar's quick to respond, and he whips around, lunging for Pikachu with his teeth bared. A Bite attack!
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
Pikachu jumps up, though, just in the nick of time. "Electro Ball!" I shout to him.
Still hovering in the air, Pikachu whips around, a ball of swirling electric energy forming at the tip of his tail. He swings himself around and fires the ball at Pyroar.
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
The ball crashes into Pyroar, and smoke pours out from the collision. Astrid and I shield ourselves from the explosion, but once we look back, Astrid grits her teeth as Pyroar falls, defeated. Pikachu lands in front of him, panting a bit heavily.
"Fair enough," she says, recalling the Fire-type to his Poké Ball. "Now, let's see how you do against this Pokémon!"
She tosses another Poké Ball, and in a flash of white light, a female Meowstic appears, her pure white fur gleaming with pride. She smirks through her half-lidded eyes, challenging me to send out a possible opponent.
Each Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
"Pikachu, come back," I yell to him. He scampers over to me, and I retrieve another Poké Ball from my belt. "Okay, then, I hope you're ready for Froakie!"
I toss the Ball in the air, and my loyal Froakie appears in front of me. I catch the Poké Ball and hold it close to me, feeling its warmth fade away.
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
It's you and me
(Pokémon!)
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Yeah, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Astrid doesn't seem fazed by this, though. "Meowstic, use Scratch!"
"Froakie, use Cut!"
Meowstic's claws glow a bright white color, and Froakie holds out his right hand, a small, white, sword-like weapon forming in his palm. The two of them lunge and slash at each other, jumping around each other.
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
A heart so true
(Pokémon!)
Our courage to pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Pokémon!
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all
"Nice!" I yell to him. He's not letting Meowstic get the upper hand. "Now, use Water Pulse!"
The small sword dissolves, and Froakie forms an orb of cool water between his white hands. He shoots it at Meowstic, but at the last second, she leaps out of the way.
The orb heads straight for my friends, who shriek and split up, just in time for the orb to hit the wall behind them. Froakie looks paralyzed with shock, and unfortunately, this costs him his caution, as Meowstic sneaks up right behind him.
Every challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle everyday
To claim my rightful place
Growling, Froakie leaps into the air, followed quickly by Meowstic.
"Psybeam!" Astrid orders.
"Block it with Water Pulse!" I shout.
Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team
Arm in arm, we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream
Meowstic shoots out a pink and white beam filled with blue and yellow circles, and Froakie shoots out another orb of water. The two attacks collide, but in the end, Meowstic's Psybeam overpowers Water Pulse, slamming into my Froakie.
I can't restrain the gasp that slips through my lips as Froakie falls to the ground. Luckily, he's able to twist his body so he lands on his paws, but he soon slumps to his stomach, too exhausted to continue. As Meowstic lands neatly in front of her Trainer, Astrid smirks, proud of her victory.
"Well played, I guess," I tell her, returning Froakie to his Poké Ball. "You did great, buddy." With a smile, I throw another Poké Ball. "Now, Hawlucha!"
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
It's you and me
(Pokémon!)
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Yeah, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Hawlucha appears in front of me in striking white light, his wins folded across his form. He performs a few karate poses, proving to me he's ready for battle, and in the process, making me giggle on the inside.
"Oh, really?" Astrid returns Meowstic and tosses her last Poké Ball. "In that case, Absol, come on out!"
In a flash of white light, an Absol appears, roaring fiercely. A necklace with a rainbow-colored charm hangs around his neck.
Why would she send out a Dark-type like Absol when I've sent out a Fighting-type like Hawlucha?
Astrid must see my puzzled expression, because she smirks. "Watch and learn, Ketchum."
She reaches up and touches the similar rainbow earring. Suddenly, streams of all colors explode from her jewelry—red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet—and the charm on Absol's necklace glows a radiant white.
Immediately, Absol's form begins to change. His navy blue claws become thicker, and his white fur becomes longer and sleeker. A lock of fur falls over one eye, and wings sprout out from his back. Once the light fades away, Astrid smirks, and Absol roars again.
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
A heart so true
(Pokémon!)
Our courage to pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Pokémon!
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all
My jaw drops at the transformation of the great Pokémon. Battling a Mega-Absol? Sign me up!
"Hi Jump Kick!"
"Mega-Absol, Shadow Claw!"
Both Pokémon lunge for each other, Hawlucha's knee glowing auburn and a dark purple force coating Absol's paw. But once they collide, Absol knocks my Fighting and Flying-type away.
"Karate Chop!"
Luckily, Hawlucha bounces back and runs forward, keeping low to the ground. He slashes at Absol, but the Mega-Evolved Pokémon jumps around, dodging his attempts to strike.
Absol suddenly leaps up onto the nearby building and stares at Hawlucha down below. He jumps down, shooting out a beam of dark purple rings from his mouth.
The beam slams into Hawlucha, engulfing my Pokémon. Once it fades away, taking Hawlucha's energy with it, my Pokémon falls to the ground, and Absol lands back before his smirking Trainer.
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon!
Sighing but smiling, I hold out Hawlucha's Poké Ball, and he returns to it safely in a jet of red light. Meanwhile, Pikachu leaps up onto my shoulder, nuzzling into my cheek.
"Mega Evolution's incredible!"
"Pika!" Pikachu agrees, his tail wagging.
Absol suddenly glows white, and in a moment, he changes back into his original form. Astrid smiles and holds out his Poké Ball, returning him.
"Astrid!"
Said Trainer turns to the side just as a tiny blonde form leaps over to her and kneels, her blue eyes wide with hope.
"Please, you're a keeper! Please take care of my brother."
From the side, a mortified, scarlet Clemont shrieks. "What are you doing?! I told you to stop this a million times!"
He hurriedly presses a button on the strap of his backpack, and an Aipom-like arm stretches out. It grabs the back of Bonnie's shirt and begins pulling her towards her brother.
"I hope you'll think about it!" she shouts after the confused Trainer.
I bite my lip, failing to hold back a giggle. Bonnie is just too much sometimes, but how can you not love her? She's adorable!
Suddenly, Pikachu's form grows stuff on my shoulder, and he growls low in his throat. "Pika!" I can't help but flinch; it's been a while since I've heard my buddy sound that scary.
"What's wrong, buddy?" I whisper.
He leaps down from my shoulder and begins running down the nearby stone steps, which lead down into an alley. I run after him, and not long afterwards, I hear the hurrying footsteps of Serena, Clemont and Bonnie right behind me.
Pikachu leads me into the alley, where five figures are seen: a woman, a man, a large red and yellow creature, a sleek, blue frog-like creature, and a pink and white creature equipped with stunning sparkles and diamonds.
The woman bears long orange hair that's pulled up into a bun, a strand of her hair hanging down, and wears a stunning black dress over orange leggings with flame patterns on them, as well as ankle-high black boots. The red and yellow creature stands next to her, and I realize it's the final evolved form of Fennekin—a Delphox.
The man, meanwhile, has dark blonde hair, and is dressed in a tight, blue jumpsuit with gray and black padding a over his knees, elbows and shoulders. He also wears black and gray boots that stretch up to his knees, and the sleek blue creature stands near him. Greninja, I think it's called. It's the final evolved form of Froakie.
And the pink creature, who looks strangely feminine and a bit confused, is surrounded by the four of them, her back to the wall. They're cornering her!
"Stop it!" I yell to them, causing them all to turn their attention to me. I run over and place myself in front of the pink creature, throwing my fiercest glare at the humans and their accompanied Pokémon. "You can't gang up on a Pokémon like that! Who do you think you are?!"
The woman with orange hair scoffs at me. "Stay out of this. I need the diamonds that only this one can make," she says, motioning to the Pokémon behind me.
Wait, what? You mean, this Pokémon can make diamonds?! But I thought they were only a myth! They're actually real?!
The man rolls his eyes and turns to her. "You talk too much, Merilyn. You're not a Master Thief, you're a Master blabber-mouth."
Serena gasps from the end of the alley, Clemont and Bonnie at her side. "She's a thief!"
I think they both are. Turning to the creature behind me, I hiss between my teeth, "Run while you can!"
She nods and begins to hop over to Serena, who holds out her hand to her.
Whipping back around, I yell, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
My buddy crackles with electricity before expelling it out in the form of a powerful bolt. It shocks both Greninja and Delphox, taking both their Trainers by surprise.
"This way!" Serena calls to us.
I nod to her, and Pikachu and I run towards her and out of the alley, our new Pokémon friend right behind us.