I'm back! Thank you SO MUCH for favoriting and following (and reviewing) my story, really appreciate it. Also, sorry for the late update.
Chapter 3 - Introducing Rahl Feranos
"My feet ache," whined Bonnie, "and I'm tired, sweaty, hungry and thirsty. Why can't we stop once more?"
"Nene," agreed Dedenne, looking as dehydrated as the little girl.
"Bonnie, we've had a break twice already," reminded Ash, as Pikachu snored on his head. "Come on," he added encouragingly, "it's just a mile more to Anistar. So don't worry, we'll take some rest there."
"We certainly shall," Serena joined her voice to Ash's, smiling at Bonnie kindly. This, however, did nothing to soothe or comfort the little girl, who sighed unhappily. "I'm tired," she repeated, peering at the raven haired trainer. "We've not stopped for a break, not once, in our voyage towards Anistar, because we need to search for a trainer who might not even be ethical, to induct him into our group."
Clemont raised an eyebrow.
"That's true, actually." Serena, who had overheard Bonnie's dispassionate comment, had sided with the younger. "We don't know, do we, how exactly this trainer is. What if he's some tyrant? What if he mistreats his Pokemon?"
"He doesn't mistreat his Pokemon, I'm sure," said Ash, as they finally reached Anistar. "Otherwise," he added reasonably, "how could he share that kind of a bond with his Infernape?"
"Yeah," agreed Clemont. "D'you really think that any Pokemon would form any sort of bond with an unethical trainer?"
"Well," said Serena, obviously reassured, "I suppose that makes sense."
The foursome approached the Pokemon Centre of Anistar City, where they were kindly welcomed by Nurse Joy, her Audino giving a gentle sound of welcome behind her. Ash couldn't help but notice that the Audino had a Mega Stone around its wrist, and Nurse Joy had pinned a Key Stone to her cap.
They chose a table and sat down, all uttering sighs of relief at finally being able to rest and relax. Ash's Pikachu, who'd been asleep till then, had joyfully woken up and was looking around while its trainer ordered drinks and food.
"I'd like a chocolate shake," Ash told the kindly Nurse, who was taking his order, "and Pikachu would like a couple packets of ketchup."
"Pika pika!" the Mouse Pokemon had hearts in its eyes upon thinking about his favourite food. Bonnie and Dedenne both laughed, while Serena and Clemont looked amused.
"A glass of lemon soda," said Clemont.
"Strawberry ice cream~" Bonnie couldn't contain herself.
"I think I'll have some cold coffee," said Serena with a smile. Nurse Joy smiled back as she collected their orders and left, after telling them that Audino would bring the food over shortly.
The blond inventor looked ahead, peering around for any heads covered in white hair, or for any black-clothed characters, but to his disappointment, found none. Ash, Serena and Bonnie were also unsuccessful.
"Aww…" said Bonnie unhappily. The girl was looking as if she was going to cry. After all, their main purpose of going to Anistar had been to search for the mysterious trainer called Rahl.
"Well," said Ash, trying to remain upbeat, "there's always-"
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
A huge explosion had taken place, the whole population of Anistar City screaming with fright. Bonnie wailed loudly, while Clemont and Serena tried to comfort her as well as deal with their own shock. Ash however, was looking to find the source of the explosion. His eyes darkened as he noticed a giant robot….that resembled Meowth.
"Team Rocket," uttered Ash grimly. "Come on," he added, getting up and moving outside of the Pokemon Center with Serena following suit. Clemont and Bonnie had stayed behind, since they were simply too tired to take any sort of action.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha!" laughed a certain pinkette they knew all too well. "It's useless trying to resist, so give up all your Pokemon right now!"
"I don't think so," yelled a brunette boy Ash and Serena did not know. "Furfrou, use Tackle on that robot's leg!"
"Fur frou fur!" The boy's Furfrou charged the robot Meowth (christened the Giga Giga Meowth) who simply kicked it away. The Poodle Pokemon yelped as it was bruised by the attack.
"No, Furfrou!" screamed the poor trainer.
"Horrible," murmured Serena. Ash nodded and was about to send out Pikachu, when someone else stepped forward.
"Here" said the second trainer, handing the brunette a small bottle. "Use the potion inside, it'll heal Furfrou up in no time."
"Th-thanks," muttered the nearly-crying other, who silently led Furfrou away. The trainer glared at the Giga Giga Meowth intently, and Ash and Serena noticed, this trainer had white hair and black clothes and nails.
"Wait, could it be that-" Ash said, shocked.
"Maybe," agreed Serena.
"You seem to like hurting Pokemon a lot," said Rahl Feranos mockingly, unclipping a Pokeball from his belt. "So how about I hurt you. Go, Infernape!"
The Pokeball released a tall, muscular Pokemon with a head blazing with fire. Infernape snarled potently, gaze fixed on its enemy.
Serena's Pokedex chirped, "Infernape, the Flame Pokemon. Infernape uses its own unique fighting style to win battles, and the fire on its head never goes out."
"W-We'll see who'll get hurt!" James, cocooned in the robot, said cockily.
Rahl only cracked his index finger, by pressing his thumb over it and pressing down. A small crack was issued, and the white haired boy only gave one command. "Infernape, use Flare Blitz!"
Infernape was suddenly shrouded in light blue flames. Before Serena or Ash could take note of this development, the Flame Pokemon had streaked forward and smashed itself hard onto the Giga Giga Meowth's body. The robot burst apart, and Team Rocket came exploding out of it. "We're blasting off agaiiiiiin!"
Rahl frowned after them, then congratulated Infernape. "Good job, my friend, I'm proud of your effort."
"Fer nape," the Pokemon said as it was returned to its Pokeball.
"….Wow," said Serena, lost for words as Rahl quietly left the spot, heading towards the Anistar Gym, to battle Olympia, no doubt.
"We saw that," said Clemont, surprising the two of them. He'd apparently run up alongside Bonnie just in time to see the white haired boy's performance.
"His Infernape's really, really strong," added Bonnie, apparently not considering the fact that this was obvious.
"I think…" said Ash hesitantly. "I think it would give Alain's Charizard a run for its money, too."
"True," agreed Serena, smiling at Ash. The boy immediately developed a flush and said quickly, "W-Well, let's head over to the Gym, Rahl's gonna battle Olympia."
"Really?!" screeched Bonnie. "Awesome, awesome, awesome!" she ran like a flash of lightning to the said building. The others took off after her, Clemont lagging behind.
They entered the Gym, and took note of Rahl standing on one end of the arena, and Olympia with her two Meowstic on the other. The woman noticed them, and acknowledged the group with a quick "Hello." The other noticed this and turned, taking note of the trainers behind him.
"Who are you?" he asked. "Have you come to challenge Olympia like I have?"
"No, no," said Ash, walking over and holding out a gloved hand. "I'm Ash Ketchum, and we'd like to see your battle against Olympia, since you were pretty cool in taking down that robot."
"Rahl Feranos," the boy said curtly, shaking Ash's hand. He turned back and prepared his Pokeballs.
"Let's go, guys," said Serena quickly, beckoning them over to the stands. "Let's watch him from here."
"Hi!" said a woman they recognized as Carrie. Ash nodded back, more interested in the match.
"This is a double battle between Rahl Feranos of Ifrit Town, and Olympia of the Anistar Gym!" said the referee. "No substitutions are allowed for either side, and the battle is over when any one Pokemon from either side is unable to battle. Any objections?"
Olympia and Rahl both shook their heads.
"Okay, let the battle begin!"
"Infernape, let's go!" yelled Rahl, throwing his Pokeball out. The Flame Pokemon gave a battle cry, readying itself for the fight ahead.
"Amusing," remarked Olympia causally. "And your second?"
Rahl clicked out another Pokeball, which burst out to reveal a Manectric with a Mega Stone around its neck, which shocked everyone in the Gym.
"Oh man," mumbled Ash. "That Pokemon can Mega-Evolve…."
Intrigued, Serena brought out her Pokedex and scanned it. "Manectric, the Discharge Pokemon. Manectric discharge copious amounts of electricity from their manes. They are said to be born from lightning."
"Manectric" commanded Rahl, gripping a Key Stone that hung from his neck reverently. "Open the path to becoming the strongest! Mega-Evolve!"
And that's Chapter 3. Lol, a cliffhanger.
Anyway, I'd like to apologize for the late update once more. Delhi summers can be very annoying. I'd like to try and update more often, and I'll try to make the later chapters more exciting.
-Nirgends101