Thank you to everyone who has read and liked my story. I'm so happy that its turning out so well, and I'm sorry for the long intrvals between the chapters. Biggest school exams of my life are in a few months so it may stay like that for a while but I'll try not to disappoint.
Also I don't like this chapter as much as the first two or the one coming next but it's a neccessary evil, as it will eventually set the scene. ^-^'
"Normal talking"
'Quoting/thinking'
"Pika pi (Pokétalk Translastions)"
Discaimer: I don't own, nor have I ever owned, Pokémon. I only own my OCs that will show up.
Looking up, the now twig infested heroes turn to the strange voice from nowhere. Well, actually somewhere, or better yet someone. That someone was a young girl looking down at them. They decided then that what was strange about here was the fact that her deep emerald eyes were glowing.
"I repeat, 'Are you alright?'"
The gang remained staring at the girl that had seemingly just appeared before them out of thin nowhere. She had black hair with purple streaked highlights, which matched the purple shoulder-less t-shirt she wore and the black tank top covering it. She wore a short black pleated skirt, white knee high socks and black small heeled pumps. The only contrast to her appearance were the still glowing eyes.
"Uh… hello?" The girl watched as the fallen teenagers and Pokémon before her stared, unnerving her. They appeared oblivious to the rather awkward position they were putting her in.
Dawn was the first to wake from her stupor. She smiled, hesitantly. "Um… hi."
"Looks like you had a nasty fall." The girl smiled. Finally, a reaction, sort of.
This comment, at least, got a bigger reaction, as Ash, Brock and the Pokémon also woke from their daze. They, along with Dawn looked over each other, and themselves. The girl had a point. They were covered in scrapes and bruises from the blast from Team Rockets defective robot as well as their crash landing. There were bits of twigs and leaves sticking out from their hair and clothes. Ash's cap had fallen off and was now giving Pikachu and edgy look. Piplup was laying on its back, unconscious, under Brock's foot. Poor thing!
"Ya know, you still didn't answer my question." Their attention was back on the stranger who seemed bemused by their reaction.
This time Ash spoke up. "What question?"
The girl only rolled her eyes. "Are. You. Lot. Alright?" She said, putting emphasis on the alright part. Despite the degrading statement, she managed to sound incredibly concerned. The answer she received however was not what she was expecting…
… For Brock had bolted up onto his knee, holding a hand to his heart while caressing the her hand. "We are now that you have descended upon us, oh dark beauty. You, an angel, appears to us in a tragic time of need. Please, allow me to repay your kindness. Allow me to repay your kindness with my lo-," The declaration of love from the breeder was cut short by a rather unpleasantly placed Poison Jab from Brock's faithful Croagunk, an indigo frog that stood on two legs, with orange sacks on its face, and black and orange 'hands'. "Love you too, Croagunk." Brock mumbled painfully as his froggy friend dragged him way.
"That was… sweet." The girl watched the breeder and frog leave. An awkward silence hung in the air.
"It happens a lot." Ash clarified, while rubbing his head sheepishly. Being lost in the middle of nowhere and then accidentally finding someone who could help, only to botch it by scaring them away wouldn't help them. Oh, that's right! "Hey, do you know where we are?" Ash asked the girl.
"In a forest?" she replied with a smile. Dawn, who was trying to wake up her partner, sweat dropped at this.
"What my friend means is, we're lost in this forest and we don't know how to get out. And now we're even more lost after landing here." Dawn explained. She then turned her attention to her now semi-conscious Pokémon who wasn't exactly on steady footing.
"Is that what happened? Well, I can help you out but I think we'll need to patch you up first."
Ash stood up as Pikachu climbed onto his shoulder. "Great idea. Careful Pikachu, that hurt." He winced before seeing the mouse still had his hat.
"Pika. (Sorry)"
"Well, that answers my question. Finally!" The girl giggled.
Ash, seeing as Piplup had finally woken, helped Dawn to her feet. Sporting a small blush Dawn thanked Ash, before thinking about what the girl said. "Wait a sec. What did you mean 'go' get patched up? Do you have a camp nearby, or something?"
"She's got a point."
"Eeep!" The girl jumped seeing the breeder appear behind her.
"That's normal for him." Ash said sheepishly.
"No… no problem." She clutched her heart and let out a sigh. "Well, I don't have a camp nearby. No need. I live in the village just a little ways from here. There's a small inn there where you can get any treatment you need if your hurt, or sick, or if you need a place to stay. It's pretty modest but it'll do the trick for you and your Pokémon."
The gang stood in shock. Understandable, considering the fact that the map not only told them they were lost without navigation, but that it showed no settlement in the forest.
"There's a village nearby?" Dawn asked incredulously.
"Yep. If that answers all your questions why don't we head off, then?"
"I got a question." Ash said with a grim expression. Suddenly a deep and loud grumble erupted from the boy. "When we get there can we eat?"
Everyone laughed at the hungry trainer who was now rubbing his head sheepishly.
"Aww, cute! Sure we can fill you up when we get there." The girl turned around and waved at them to follow. "The village is this way."
The boys and Pikachu followed, Brock trying to chat the girl up. However Dawn just stood there holding Piplup, a contemplating look on her face, staring at the girl as she left. Piplup looked up at its trainer in concern when she didn't move.
"Lup. (Dawn?)
Dawn snapped out of her thoughts when Ash called to her. "Come on, Dawn. Don't wanna get lost again, do ya?"
"Coming, Ash!"
"Here we are!"
The four teens and two partners stood looking at a unique looking village, to say the least. Where they stood seemed to be a wide cobblestone path towards a town square or courtyard. Along the path were many houses, two-story and made out of wood and stone, in a medieval fashion. At the other end of the square was a larger building, four times the size of the houses and the structure was more intricate then the surrounding buildings. To its right was another large building with a sign saying 'Inn' above the door.
As the group approached the inn they passed through the square and stopped. In the centre of the square were three stone statues covered in ivy. The fine features themselves were indistinguishable beneath the growth the sheer majesty of the statues brought awe-struck stares from the travellers. Large appendages protruded from them the back of the statues appeared to be angel wings. Two of the figures could have been boys, the other a girl and judging from the different heights, they were each meant to represent a different age.
The amazement on the heroes faces was unmistakeable.
"They're beautiful." The whisper barely escaped Dawn's lips. Piplup craned his neck trying to see the whole of the statues.
Brock was fascinated by the female sculpture. Though it was with respect and wonder.
Ash stood behind them, his gaze on all three. Pikachu sat perched on his shoulder, his mouth agape.
Their entranced state was broken when their new companion spoke to them, albeit impatiently. "They won't go anywhere. So, come on. Don't you lot have to heal up and eat." Her reply was a chorus Ash's and Dawn's stomachs, and the everyone else's embarrassment.
They tore their gaze from the statues and they walked into the inn but not before looking back once more.
"Cha!" Pikachu squealed in delight as he licked the ketchup bottle. A sight which had the girls cooing.
"That is so cute." The new girl's squeal matching that of the Pokémon.
"Isn't he just!?" Dawn cooed in delight.
They were currently sitting down in the dinning area of the inn. The girls had stopped eating to watch Pikachu with his ketchup, and coincidently, his trainer wolfing down massive helpings of stew and sandwiches. Brock sat next to him sipping away at his soup, unperturbed by their antics. Piplup was steaming next to his trainer having failed at gaining the same attention the yellow mouse got.
"Aww, how long has this little guy been with you?"
Ash looked up from his plate and wiped his mouth, fork still in hand.
"Pikachu and I have been partners since I started my journey.. Right, buddy?"
"Pika! (Yup)"
"And we've come a long way since then. We had loads of adventures and made lots of friends as well."
"Aww, that's so sweet, um…"
"My names Ash."
"Okay, Ash. So how'd you lot meet Ash and Pikachu?" Green eyes turned to the others.
Brock spoke of first. "Ash won his first league badge from me."
Said green eyes sparkled. "So that means you're a gym leader. Um, name?"
"Brock."
"Brock. Too cool! That means you're a really strong trainer then, yeah?"
Brock just smirked. "Actually, I want to be a Pokémon breeder."
"Oh wow! Such an inspiring goal. But since you were a gym leader, then that must mean that Ash is a league trainer, right?"
Ash gave her a confident smile. "You bet!"
The girl turned to face Ash, and spoke smoothly. "I bet? Hm, I bet you're really string."
"Wanna put money on that?" Ash joked. Apparently he had no idea what she meant. Dawn mentally cringed, having caught the hint, and scowled.
Ash looked at Dawn, concerned. "You okay, Dawn?"
Caught off guard, Dawn blushed. "Yeah, I'm fine. No need to worry."
'That's when I worry the most." Ash thought.
"So, Dawn was it? What do you do? Or do you just Ash and Brock and Pikachu?" the mysterious girl asked Dawn, slightly mocking.
"I'm a coordinator." Dawn declared proudly.
"What's that?" Dawn scowled again, this time in indignation.
"It means that I enter contests and show off my Pokémon's appeal and moves to win ribbons. If I get five ribbons I can enter the Grand Festival, but I've already done that here in Sinnoh. I came second in the festival and now I'm just travelling with Ash and Brock, enjoying it before we go our separate ways. Except then we got lost"
"And then I came and helped you lot. Wow, that sounds pretty big. You'll have to show me how it works."
"Um, okay?" Not the reaction she was expecting.
"And as for you, Ash. You have to show me how strong a trainer you are, 'kay?" Her attention went back to the ebony haired trainer.
Ash himself had just finished his food. "Sure. Why not?"
"Well, I'd better head off. Nice meeting you lot." Their new friend stood up and faced them, beaming. "Hope you decide to stay a while. I'm holding you to that, Ash. See ya around." With that she walked out of the inn.
Only when she was gone did Brock realise something. Turning back to his friends he said, "Did any of you catch her name?"
So... Yeah, whatcha think? Not too bad, right? I'd love it if you'd let me know if I'm doing this right.
Reviews give me motivation and love. Criticism is welcome, too, so long as it helps.
See you lot next chapter.