Chapter 4: It's Our World
As Ross and Ash walked along the pathways around Lumiose City, Ross was quietly taking notes in his head, noting each location in the city. He hadn't traveled much before so he was soaking in the sights of each landmark.
"So Ross, what did you do before you became a trainer today?" Ash asked, wanting to know more about the blonde teenager.
"Well… I went to high school, studied and stuff, of course, I took care of Natalie, and worked the odd jobs to make ends meet, I did a lot of babysitting a few years back actually." Ross explained, feeling slightly nostalgic. "Now we're here, it's been an interesting ride so far."
Ash nodded. "Yeah, I've been traveling since I was ten. I've seen a lot of crazy things you wouldn't believe."
Pikachu agreed, the things they've been through have been extraordinary. "Chu!"
"Really? Do you mind telling me some of them?" Ross asked.
Ash nodded. "Well, I guess we should start at the beginning. I got Pikachu when I was ten, I actually slept in and missed out on the other starters, but I think it turned out well. He's a great friend, even if he didn't like me at first."
"How did you get him to like you?"
"Well, I may have angered some Spearow, Pikachu got hurt, I protected him, it wasn't anything awful," Ash said nonchalantly.
Pikachu gave Ash a deadpan, knowing the full story. "Pikapi…"
"Well, I mean, it all turned out well right?" Ash asked.
"Chu." Pikachu rolled his eyes.
Ross raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound like nothing."
Pikachu swatted Ash's head with his tail, pushing him to tell the rest. Ash shrugged. "Fine, I may have almost got my face pecked in by Spearows, but Pikachu protected me. It was incredible!" Ash started making explosion hand gestures. "A lightning bolt came down from the sky and boom! Pikachu unleashed the craziest thunderbolt ever!"
Pikachu blushed and scratched his head a little, embarrassed by the attention. "Pikapi, Pikachu!"
Ross shook his head. "You're a strange man Ash, has anyone told you that?"
"Eh, not really why?"
Ross rolled his eyes. "Forget it, let's get to a Pokecenter, I'm getting tired."
000
Riley stood in front of the setting sun, his greatcoat swaying behind him due to the gentle breeze. Serena and Bonnie had already called it a night and had retired to their room. But Riley wasn't ready to head inside just yet. He wanted to observe the natural beauty of the sun just a little longer.
The teenager looked down onto a Pokeball inside of his coat pocket. Kavallerie hasn't been led out in a bit. He snatched the red and white ball from his pocket and enlarged it with his thumb.
Riley chucked the ball into the sky, causing it to pop open in a flash of light. The light materialized into a sword-like figure. The blade had a blue cloth attached to the grip withheld the sword Pokémon's sheath. The Honedge floated down to his level and stared at him with its one eye before looking pleased.
"Good to see you Kavallerie. How're things?" Riley asked.
The sword floated around Riley making excited noises. It was happy to be finally outside again.
Riley smiled at the carefree sword Pokémon, but he had other reasons to see the sword rather than just to let him get some fresh air. You know I wonder, do Pokémon that look like inanimate objects need air? They don't need food or water, but could they live in a vacuum?
"So, I didn't let you out for nothing. We need to talk, and considering your my best friend, other than maybe Serena, I thought you would be the best bet."
Kavallerie tilted itself in the air, egging on Riley to continue.
Riley sighed. "It's about Dad."
Flashback
An 11-year-old Riley stood with his mother, his little sister, and his newborn brother on the railway platform. In front of them stood an Auburn man in his late 30s, clad in full military uniform and helmet. This man was Riley's father, a fresh-faced recruit, who had enlisted to protect his country.
The young Riley had tears in his eyes, unlike his sister and brother, he fully understood where his father was going. "Dad, when are you going to come back?"
The tall man knelt down to his son's level. "I don't know Riley, but I promise you I'll be back, I can't leave you guys alone forever right?"
Riley's tears started flowing down his face. "But what if you don't?"
"I will kiddo, I can guarantee it, but for now I need you to be the man of the household. Can you do that son?"
Riley wiped his tears away and nodded. "I can do that Dad, and when you come back, I'll be big and strong just like you!"
All military personnel you are required at this time to enter your designated car, failure to do so in time may result in a penalty.
Riley's parents looked into each other's eyes, his dad kissed his mother's cheek and his baby son's forehead, before departed onto the train.
Even as the train moved forwards, Riley's dad kept his eyes on them, the family they had created, now slowly creeping away with the hiss of a steam engine. It was almost like those old-timey photos you see in museums, only this time, it felt so much more real.
His father never returned home.
End Flashback
I hope he's still out there, fighting for what's right. Whether in life or death. The teenager thought
"You know, we never got any confirmatation about his fate. I guess Mom tried repressing those memories and the young ones just forgot, but I won't forget him." Riley trailed off.
"Forget who?" Asked Serena, behind him.
Riley jumped a bit and spun around, settled once he realised it was Serena. "Oh, hey Serena. I'm just thinking about Dad again."
"I see, well we'll find closure someday. I'm sure of it."
Riley sighed. "Return buddy." he recalled Kavallerie in a beam of red light before placing the Pokeball back in his coat. "I hope, but I'm starting to lose hope."
000
Ross and Ash stood at the opposite ends of a dirt battlefield in one of Lumiose City's many parks. The fresh morning sun shone down, providing a comforting warmth and glow. The two had decided to do a practice battle, to acclimatize Ross to the art of battling while Natalie sat in a foldable stroller Ross had, though it likely wouldn't be used much because of the dirt roads being bumpy.
"Alright Ross, how much do you know about battling?" Ash asked.
Ross enlarged Chespin's Pokeball. "I know enough, Chespin battle position!" He threw the white and red ball into the battlefield. It popped open in a brilliant show of light before materializing into Chespin.
"Alright let's get started then! Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash shouted. Pikachu leaped onto the battlefield in front of Chespin, his cheeks sparked with potent electricity. "So do you know the basics?"
Ross nodded. "I watched a few gym battles before, but first!" He pulled out his Pokédex, which looked like a small see-through tablet with red edges. "You should scan the opposing Pokémon and yours if you haven't."
"Chespin, the Spiny Nut Pokémon. Chespin can flex the soft spikes on its head, making them so stiff and sharp that it can even pierce through stone." The device beeped. "This Pokemon knows the moves Tackle, Vine Whip, Growl, and Pin Missile."
Ross pointed the device at Pikachu next, the device quickly scanned the Pokemon:
"Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. It can generate electric attacks from the electric pouches located in both of its cheeks. This Pokemon knows the moves Thunderbolt, Electro Ball, Quick Atyack, and Iron Tail."
"Alright now let's get started. Chespin use Vine Whip!" Ross commanded.
A pair of dark green vines shot out from Chespin's back and sped towards Pikachu, but Ash wouldn't stand idle. "Pikachu use Iron Tail to block it!"
Pikachu's tail turned into shiny steel as he swung it around to block the Vine Whip. He slapped them away once, but Chespin was persistent, not seeing a positive ending to the situation Ash changed his command. "Pikachu jump back and use thunderbolt!"
The rodent leaped backwards and called upon the energy stored in his cheeks. Sparks sparkled before a bolt of lightning shot towards the vines. "Chuuuu!"
"Chespin recall your vines!" Ross shouted. Chespin quickly retracted his vines back into his body, but not before getting shocked a little.
Ash pressed his advantage, "Now Pikachu, use electro ball!"
Pikachu leaped into the air while charging electricity in his tail. "Pikapikapikapika!"
A small ball began forming. "Now Pikachu!" The rodent flung the ball of electricity towards Chespin.
"Chespin use your vines to launch yourself away!" Ross shouted.
Chespin slammed his vines into the ground at an angle, flinging himself to the left, but again, it was not fast enough to avoid minor damage.
"Pikachu finish this with Quick Attack!" Ash commanded.
A white energy surrounded Pikachu as he darted forwards intent on delivering the coup de grâce. As he approached the center of the battlefield though, a certain group of thugs had a different idea. A black and blue cube was thrown directly in Pikachu's path and exploded into a net of energy!
Due to Pikachu's fast reflexes, he was able to get out of the way just in time, and the net diffused into nothingness. "Pikachu are you okay?!" Ash asked, rushing up to the Pokémon. Pikachu nodded, but was a little shaken up from the attack. "Alright, What do you think you're doing!?"
Prepare for trouble, our middle name!
And make it double, it's a high stakes game!To protect the world from devastation!
To unite all peoples within our nation!
To denounce the evils of truth and love!
To extend our reach to the stars above!Jessie!
James!
Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!Surrender now, or prepare to fight!
Meowth!
That's right!
Wobbuffet!
"Team Rocket!" Ash shouted.
Ross deadpanned at the three. "Are these guys for real?"
"Hey show some respect blonde twerp!" Meowth shouted.
Jessie and James stood behind him. "Do you think you'd get rid of us that easily?" Jessie smirked.
"This is the Team Rocket you mentioned at the coronation?" Ross asked.
"Yeah, they're really bad guys who steal Pokémon!" Ash replied.
Jessie scoffed. "I believe you're selling a bit short twerp, we don't just steal any old Pokémon, we pride ourselves in stealing the best Pokémon!"
"And dats why we'll be takin Pikachu!"
Ross stood protectively in front of Natalie. "Well if that's the case, Chespin pin missile!"
"ChesPIN!" Chespin's needles on his head glowed a vibrant green before shooting off into many streaks of green energy.
"Wobbuffet deflect it with mirror coat!" Jessie commanded.
Wobbuffet leaped in front of the streaks while covered in a rainbow coat. "Wobbuffet!" It completely absorbed the pin missile and shot it back at Chespin!
"Chespin look out!" Ross shouted, but it was to late. Chespin took the full force of the attack, knocking him backwards onto the dirt. "Chespin return!" Chespin was sucked back into his ball in a beam of red light. "I'm sorry buddy, we'll get you patched up as soon as possible."
Ash glared at Team Rocket. "Alright Pikachu let's take them done, use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu shot a bolt of electricity towards Wobbuffet with a shout. Wobbuffet once again used it's Mirror Coat attack, and deflected the electricity, sending it back to Pikachu and hurting it. "Pika, pika."
Ash sees Pikachu falling. "Pikachu, I got you!" Ash comes to his buddy's rescue by grabbing him. Ash looks at Pikachu. Lucky enough, the electric type, wasn't hurt enough. But Ash still wasn't to make sure that Pikachu was okay. "Pikachu, how are you feeling buddy."
"Pika, pika." Pikachu giggled, which meant that Ash felt secure in the Pokemon's health.
Ash and Ross look at Team Rocket with a serious look. "Just leave me alone! I'm tired of you guys following me!"
"But if we hadn't been followin' ya, then there wouldn't be any conflict in this episodes." Meowth said.
"Now, give us Pikachu or else…" James threatened.
A mysterious blue Pokemon with frubbles peaked from behind a tree. He noticed what was going on with Ash and Team Rocket, and could tell that someone was in danger. "Froakie…?" The water type Pokemon wanted to do something, so Froakie jumps out of the bushes and grabs some of it's frubbles, only to throw them at Wobbuffet.
"What was that?" The TRio where confused about what the white stuff was Froakie threw at the psychic type Pokemon.
Ash and Pikachu give each other a nod, which meant that it was a time to get serious. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Pikachu, chu." Pikachu jumps into the air and shoots out electricity. The TRio got scared of the incoming bolt, as Wobbuffet was trying its hardest to wipe off all the frubbles. The TRio and Wobbuffet was hit by the electricity and it causes a large explosion. However the large explosion did some harm, as the explosion caused a large breeze of wind, which lauched Froakie back, causing the Pokemon to smack a tree. Ross ran over to protect Natalie, as Ash was holding tightly onto Pikachu.
"Froakie!" The pokemon was in pain from the collision and badly injured, falling onto the ground.
The explosion clears out, and the TRio with Wobbuffet spiral in the air, which was something that they were used too. "Looks like Team Rocket is blasting off again!" They shouted and then disappeared.
Ash and Pikachu run up to Ross and Natalie. "Are the two of you okay?"
"Yeah, we are." Ross replied.
Ash turns around, because he was worried about that Froakie that helped save them. "Froakie, where are you?" Ash looks around to see if Froakie was at, until he sees that Froakie was on the ground in pain. "Froakie!" Ash runs towards Froakie and grabs the water type Pokemon. He could tell that something dangerous was wrong about the Pokemon.
Ross runs up to Ash while holding onto the handles of the stroller. "We can take him to Professor Sycamore's lab, it's not too far from here." Ross explained. Ash nodded his head, and the group goes off to Professor Sycamore's lab.
Ash looks down at Froakie, as he was running. "I'm going to make sure, that you're safe no matter what." He said to the unconscious Pokemon.
000
"So, if my map serves me correctly, Professor Sycamore's lab is only a few blocks from the south gates. So it should only be a short walk from here." Riley stated matter of factly.
Serena rolled her eyes. "Right because your map always leads us to the right direction. I think your Pokegear might actually be older than me. Why don't you get a holo caster, or a normal phone?"
"I still need something that connects me back to my home in Johto." Riley replied eyes still glued on his map.
The honey blonde facepalmed. "Riley you haven't lived in Johto in nearly a decade."
Riley looked up from his map and crossed his arms. "It's still my heritage, besides Johto is the best region."
"Heavily debatable." Serena retorted.
Bonnie grew slightly annoyed by the two's bickering. "Alright you two let's get moving. I wanna see the lab!"
Riley and Serena mock-glared at each other before rolling their eyes. "Alright, let's get going then." Riley said.
The three walked forwards towards the lab, the afternoon sun beat down on them. "I swear if I get sunburnt today, someone's going to pay." Riley grumbled.
"The only person paying is your skin." Serena laughed.
Riley rolled his eyes. "Whatever, I put on sunscreen before we left Santalune anyway."
000
The group of Ash, Ross, Natalie, and Pikachu were still running down the sidewalks of the city, in which they were passing between by the people and pokemon who inhabited the big city. The group was still on their mission to Professor Sycamore's lab on that hot sunny day. Meanwhile, on the other side, Serena, Riley and Bonnie were also walking down the same sidewalk.
The two groups successfully arrived at the gates of the Professor's lab. Both groups were both happy to have arrive at the lab. "We made it!" All five of them shouted at the same time. Ash and Serena looked at each other, and it brought back some sparks from the past.
It's Ash! Serena thought. A small blush forming on her face, which Bonnie and Riley noticed before snickering together
Why does she seem familiar? Have I seen her before?
000
Chapter 4 done and dusted! I'm on a roll. This might actually be the farthest I've got with a story in a long time.
Edit: Minor fixes and tweaks to make it flow nicer.
Review time!
Guest: Not the guys at the end of the chapter. I just loved using German technology, but we will see some Nazi group later on.
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