Chapter 6: Geyser To Escape From!
Last time on "Pokémon Unova Journey", Takeru's back was still healing after the incident with Team Rocket. Ash and Iris were still bickering at each other, making insults, causing pressure to the group. That's when Oshawott came by, wanting to join Ash on his journey. But, when the three trainers went to get Oshawott's Pokéball, he was already gone.
Ash and Iris then both fell into a pit trap, which a boy named Dan explains that it was from a wild Sandile. Dan explained about his hot snad spa, which was all in ruins and closed now, because of the wild Sandiles making a rampage. Ash began to test his "research" out with Pikachu.
That's when everyone discovered Oshawott, who was also relaxing in the hot sand. as the relaxation was about to continue, a wild Sandile appeared, looking aggressive. Dan pointed it out that it was the leader of all the Sandiles.
Dan pointed it out. "You see!? That's the leader of the Sandile!" Dan called. Takeru narrowed his eyes as he got ready. This Sandile doesn't look so happy to see them right now. Before anyone could react, Sandile swiftly grabbed Axew by his mouth!
Axew yelled in pain as he was lifted by Sandile's mouth. "No! Axew!" Iris gasped. "We'll save you! Don't worry!" Ash called. "Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed. Ash made an order to his starter. "Pikachu! Thunderbolt, let's go!" Ash called. Before Piikachu could attack, Takeru stopped the two.
"Don't bother! If you strike now, it'll also harm Axew! Also, Electric Type attacks won't work against a Ground Type like Sandile!" Takeru warned. That caused Pikachu to stop, as Iris ran over, grabbing Sandile. "Now, let go of my Axew or else!" Iris demanded.
Sandile resisted the pull as he held onto Axew tightly in his jaws. Ash, Pikachu, and Oshawott ran over to help out as well. "Open your mouth! Come on!" Ash called. Everyone then began to pull, which Axew shrieking in pain. Takeru and Riolu watched as they tried to think of something.
Suddenly, an idea came to Takeru's mind. "Riolu! Use Dig!" Takeru called. Riolu nodded as he dug underground, preparing for the surprise Attack. Sandile didn't notice, since he was being pulled by the two humans and the two Pokémon. Suddenly, the sand under him bursted!
It was Riolu! It struck Sandile with the underground Attack. This forced Sandile to release Axew, as all the others fell on their bottom. "Great thinking, Takeru!" Ash complimented. But, the surprise Attack made Sandile very cross.
He lunged, grabbing Pikachu by his left paw, Oshawott by his left foot, and Riolu by his tail. All three Pokémon gasped in startle as they were dragged by the Desert Croc Pokémon. The three trainers turned in surprise. "Pikachu! Oshawott!" Ash called. "Riolu!?" Takeru shouted in startle.
"Help me, big bro!" Riolu wailed as his tail was being pulled by Sandile. Sandile quickly began to escape, until he was pulled up. Everyone gasped to see what it was. A construction machine with a magnet held Sandile in the air. Riolu, Pikachu, and Oshawott was dragged along as well!
"What's all that!?" Ash yelled in surprise. That's when the three familiar trio smirked, beginning their motto.
"Open your ears, for the answer indeed!"
"The answer to come, as we feel the need!"
"We bring... white light of evil, into your future!"
"Hammering... Justice onto the black universe!"
"Carving our names in the Rock of Eternity!"
"The fiery destroyer... Jessie."
"With thunderous emotion... I am James."
"Wisest of the wise... Meowth!"
"Now gather on the name of Team Rocket!"
The machine with the magnet raised Sandile, Oshawott, Pikachu, and Riolu up even higher. "It's you again!?" Takeru snapped angrily. "Don't you learn ever to give up!?" Iris snapped. "Give us back our Pokémon!" Ash demanded. Jessie scoffed as she narrowed her eyes.
"There's a huge flaw in your premise, since they're now our Pokémon!" Jessie sneered. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu yelled, protesting. "Oshawott!" Oshawott wailed. "I don't belong to you! I belong to big brother!" Riolu snapped, annoyed with the evil trio. team Rocket then began to move on their machine, beginning to escape.
Ash, Takeru, and Iris all began to run after the machine. Meowth, at the same time, took out a smoke bomb, throwing it near the group. Takeru immediately saw it as he dove to the ground, evading the bomb. Ash, Iris and Dan all yelled as smoke spread around them.
As Team Rocket started to get away, Takeru ran out of the smoke, taking out a Pokéball. "I won't let you get away again! Pidove! I need your help!" Takeru yelled. The Tiny Pigeon Pokémon appeared, ready to fight. "Pidove! Air Cutter, let's go!" Takeru called. Pidove sent sharp air towards Team Rocket.
Jessie saw it as she took out her Pokéball. "Woobat! Use Air Slash!" Jessie shouted. Woobat appeared, destroying Air Cutter with Air Slash. "Joltik! I need your help with Electro Ball!" Takeru called. Joltik appeared, blasting Woobat away with Electro Ball. "Tch! This twerp is very persistent!" James grunted.
"Meowth! Teach this brat a lesson!" Jessie called. "Rest assured!" Meowth called. He threw more smoke bombs, which Takeru saw. "Return! Both of you!" Takeru called. He quickly returned Pidove and Joltik back to their Pokéballs, while dodging the smoke bombs. Meowth began to panic.
"What's the status, Meowth!?" Jessie called. "This twerp is really athletic! He just dodged all of our smoke bombs!" Meowth yelled. James and Jessie all gasped as they saw behind that Takeru was running after them. "I'm coming, Riolu! Hold on!" Takeru called. "Big brother!" Riolu wailed.
As Team Rocket were escaping from Takeru, Jessie chuckled. "The dream of catching Pikachu comes true!" Jessie sneered. "And there's nothing like Oshawott, Sandile, and Riolu as a bonus prize!" Meowth replied with an evil grin. "So! Let's inform the boss right away!" James called.
Suddenly, the machine suddenly stopped, with one side lurching. All four Pokémon panicked, as Team Rocket grew surprised. Takeru stopped behind the machine as he looked to see what has happened. "What's happening?" Jessie demanded as she looked around.
Everyone looked to see some other wild Sandiles coming by. "Looks like you're in a sand trap now, Team Rocket!" Takeru smirked. "Very funny, twerp!" James snapped angrily. Meowth swung the briefcase at the Sandile. "Stay away from us! All of you!" Meowth yelled.
Takeru took out his Pidove's Pokéball, and sent him out. "Pidove! I need your help again!" Takeru called. Pidove appeared, witnessing the surrounding. "Pidove! Use Aerial Ace on the magnet!" Takeru called. Pidove charged at the magnet, attacking it several times. The magnet started to lose the four captive Pokémon.
As Sandile saw Takeru helping out, he called to the other Sandiles, giving them the signal. The minions of the sunglasses Sandile all dug underground, preparing for a surprise Attack. Jessie gritte her teeth, turning to James. "Alright. What are they trying to do!? James! Let's get out of here, right away!" Jessie called.
"Right!" James agreed. But, before James could touch the controls, the machine lurched from another side again. Before they knew it, the construction machine was sinking! Takeru saw this and called to the Tiny Pigeon Pokémon. "Pidove! It's too dangerous now! Get back here!" Takeru warned.
Pidove nodded, before flying to Takeru's extended arm. Before it could sink completely, the evil trio flew out, landing on the ground. As they landed, the magnet released the four Pokémon. Sandile began to walk away, getting away from all this nonsense. "Wait up, Sandile!" Takeru called.
He returned Pidove to his Pokéball, before following the leader. The leader Sandile glanced at Takeru for a moment, before nodding. That's when the other Sandiles began to follow Takeru and their leader.
"Team. I'm afraid we have no choice but to retreat." James called. Jessie and Meowth nodded in agreement as they all ran, escaping. Takeru glanced at where Team Rocket had disappeared. It won't be the last time that he sees them.
Later, at a fair distance, Sandile finally released Pikachu, Oshawott, and Riolu. Riolu immediately leaped onto Takeru's arms, snuggling him. "Big brother... It was scary..." Riolu stammered, shuddering. Takeru smiled, hugging his Emanation Pokémon. "It's okay, Riolu. I'm here now." Takeru assured.
"Sandile!" Sandile called. Takeru turned his attention to the leader, who jerked his head to his right. It seemed to be telling Takeru to see what was happening. Takeru turned, to see that there was a group of other wild Pokémon nearby.
"Those Pokémon... Patrat, Pidove, and Deerling? What are they doing here?" Takeru asked. The leader Sandile walked up to the top of the rock, making an announcement. "Sandile Sandile! Sandile! Sandile Sandile!" Sandile called. Takeru grew confused as he looked down at Riolu.
"Riolu, what is Sandile saying?" Takeru asked. "He says that he will take us all to a safe place, where we are far from the geysers." Riolu answered, looking concerned. Takeru widened his eyes at the word, geyser. "Geysers?... Of course! That must be why Sandile brought you, Oshawott and Pikachu here!" Takeru exclaimed.
Pikachu and Oshawott turned to Takeru in confusion. Just then, a burst of hot water came, bursting from the ground. The Pokémon began to panic, as Takeru saw it. "That's a geyser all right." Takeru mumbled as he held Riolu close to his chest.
Steam began to surround everyone as the geysers bursted even closer. "Sandile Sand!" The leader Sandile called. With that, all the other Pokémon began to move it. "He says that we need to move quick!" Riolu translated. "Hey, Pikachu!" A familar voice called. Oshawott and Pikachu turned to see Ash running to them.
"Ash! You're late!" Takeru scolded. "Very late!" Riolu barked, puffing his cheeks out. Ash sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry." Ash apologized. Pikachu and Oshawott went over to Ash as Sadnile noticed the Kanto trainer. "Sandile!" Sandile called. It began to crawl towards the three Pokémon again.
Suddenly, there were rumbling going on. "That sounds huge!" Dan called. Pikachu and Oshawott ran to Ash just before one side of the ground bursted. Everyone turned to see a geyser bursting up, shooting boiling water into the air. The barrier that's guarding the geysers broke.
The boiling water splashed out, starting to make a river of it. Iris and Dan ran over to see what had happened. All the humans widened their eyes to see the boiling water riner surrounding all the Pidoves, Patrats, and Deerlings. All of them began to shiver and panic, wondering what was going to happen to them.
Some parts of the land began to break apart, making trouble for the wild Pokémon. "They're surrounded by boiling water! Now what do we do?" Iris asked. "It's gonna be trouble if another big one blows!" Dan reminded. As Dan finished, there was another rumble. "Like right now!" Iris shrieked.
Ash's then began to run towards the water for the Pokémon. "Ash! No! It's too hot for you to go inside the boiling water!" Takeru called. He held Ash by the shoulder. Oshawott stopped Pikachu from going as well. "But, I've got to do something to save them!" Ash grunted, as he stood back.
"Sandile!" Sandile called. Everyone looked to see the leader of the Sandile giving orders to his minions. "Sandile!" Sandile called. All the other Sandile responded with a nod as they took the order. The leader Sandile bit onto a rock. With that, other Sandiles began to bite onto each other's tail.
They all began to form a Sandile bridge. "What are they trying to do?" Iris asked. "I know! The Sandile are making the bridge!" Ash exclaimed, grinning with the idea. Takeru, Iris, and Dan witnessed that the bridge was complete. "Good luck, Sandile!" Dan called. "You can do it!" Iris cheered.
The Sandile bridge fell down, making a bridge for the Pokémon to cross on. "Yeah! Awesome! Everyone! Cross over the bridge!" Ash called. But, to their surprise, the Pokémon grew hesitant, not crossing the bridge. "What's the matter?" Iris asked. "They're frightened, because of the boiling water." Takeru answered.
"Hey! You've got to hurry and cross!" Ash called. But, yet again, the Pokémon were still hesitant. None of them seemed sure if this idea. With this, Takeru handed Riolu to Iris. "Iris, look after Riolu for me, okay?" Takeru asked. Iris grew surprised, but nodded, taking Riolu. "Uh... Sure?" Iris stuttered.
Takeru then ran across the bridge, much to everyone's shock. "Big brother!?" Riolu yelped, as he tried to run after Takeru, but as held back by Iris. "In that case, I'll help out, too!" Ash called. He and Pikachu ran on the bridge too, meeting up with the frightened Pokémon.
"Come on! Let's all get on the Sandile bridge and cross over together!" Ash called. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu called. "The more time we all waste, the more chance were all gonna be in boiling water, so hurry!" Takeru warned. With those words, one Deerling began to cross the Sandile bridge.
"Okay! Hurry!" Ash called. At those calls, some other Pokémon began to follow, with the Pidoves flying above. "Keep it up!" Iris called. "Not much time!" Dan warned. "Big brother, hurry!" Riolu called, trying to call for his human brother.
After a few minutes, all the wild Pokémon had crossed. "Pikachu, why don't you go on ahead?" Ash asked. Pikachu nodded as he began to cross back to the other side as well. As Pikachu was crossing, part of the rock of the land began to break. Both boys gasped as Ash held onto the Sandile.
Takeru held onto Ash, pulling him back. "Oh no! Ash! Takeru!" Iris gasped. "Pika Pi!" Pikachu called. "Brother Takeru! The bridge is breaking!" Riolu barked, trying to get to Takeru, but Iris held her grip.
"Okay! Hang on a little longer!" Ash called. Sandile held his jaws tight on the rock, but it started to get loose. "You can do it, Sandile! Just a little bit more!" Ash grunted. "He won't be able to go on forever, Ash!" Takeru grunted, holding onto the Kanto trainer. As Ash and Takeru held on, everyone else was back at the other side.
Suddenly, another burst of geysers came up! The boiling water began to fall towards As and Takeru. "Ah!" Ash yelled in surprise. Oshawott ran by, shooting out Water Gun. It managed to stop part of the boiling water, but a decent amount of it was headed straight for Ash. "Ash! Look out!" Iris called.
Takeru immediately let go of Ash, then ran in front of him, as the boiling water splashed on his back. "Gaaahhh!" Takeru screamed as the water sizzled on his injured back. "No! Takeru!" Iris shrieked. "Ah!" Dan gasped. "Takeru!?" Ash gasped in surprise. "Big bro!" Riolu barked in sadness, tearing up.
Takeru fell to his knees, as Ash was bewildered for what Takeru did. "Takeru... I..." Ash stuttered. "Argh... Thank me later, Ash. Look!" Takeru grunted, trying to stand up. Ash whipped his head to see that Oshawott was falling. The Sea Otter Pokémon wailed as he began to fall towards the boiling water.
Ash quickly took out his Pokéball, returning Oshawott. "Oshawott! Return!" Ash called. Just in time, the Sea Otter Pokémon was safely returned to its Pokéball. "You were great, Oshawott!" Ash praised. Takeru got up just in time to see Ash was losing his grip. "Ash!" Takeru grunted.
Ash widened his eyes as he tried to hold on, but it was too late. Just as it looked bad, Iris grabbed Ash's hand just in time. Ash looked to see Iris smiling at him and Takeru. "That was pretty crazy, you two." Iris sighed. "Nah! That was nothing!" Ash grinned. Ash held out his hand for Takeru to grab.
Takeru weakly took Ash's hand, as Ash held on. "Sandile! Give it just one more push, okay?" Ash called. Sandile nodded, as he and the others raised themselves up high. "Awesome!" Iris exclaimed. Ash and Takeru both held onto the bridge, which began to fall apart. Everyone fell to the ground, creating a large dust.
The dust cleared, with Riolu running over to Takeru. "Big bro? Are you okay?" Riolu asked. Takeru grunted as he got up painfully. "I'm fine. No need to be concerned... Agh!" Takeru grunted, as he stayed low. Ash and Iris got up, running over to the Nuvema boy. "Takeru. Are you alright?" Iris asked.
"Y-Yeah. I guess so." Takeru stuttered, getting up. "Takeru... Thanks for saving me back there." Ash thanked, smiling at the Nuvema boy, feeling sorry for him. But, to the two trainer's surprise, Takeru smiled. "It's okay. It's what friends do, right?" Takeru asked. Ash and Iris looked at each other, smiling.
Then, they turned to Takeru with a nod. "That's what friends do!" The two said together. Then, all of them, including Dan had a laugh together, as they walked back to the hotel.
Later...
Ash, Iris, Takeru were all relaxing in the hot springs. Riolu, Axew, Pikachu, and Oshawott were doing the same. "Well son? What do you think of our new hot spring?" Dan's father asked. Dan and his family reopened the hotel, due to the hot spring replacing the hot sand.
"I'm sorry the geysers caused us to lose the sand spa, but this is incredible!" Dan exclaimed. "Hot water feels awesome!" Ash sighed, feeling relaxed. "Pikachu." Pikachu agreed, relaxing. "Yeah! Five stars without a doubt!" Iris giggled. "Axew!" Axew agreed with a happy nod.
"It was a big pain from the boiling water, but this is okay." Takeru chuckled. Riolu pouted with this. "Now, it's going to take longer for you to recover!" Riolu complained. Takeru sjook his head, ruffling Riolu's head. "I'll be fine. Promise, Riolu." Takeru promised. Riolu grinned happily, snuggling onto Takeru's chest.
"Wow, thanks!" Dan thanked, smiling. "We now have a new attraction!" Dan's father chuckled. "Yeah! There's nothing more relaxing than a hot spring!" Ash grinned. "You've got that right." Takeru agreed. Riolu sighed happily, as Takeru rubbed the Emanation Pokémon's head softly.
Takeru has suffered his body damage again, due to saving Ash, but it was worth it, since his back is about to recover pretty soon. Now, the three trainers with their Pokémon are enjoying the hot springs! What other part of the adventure awaits them? Stay tuned for some more!
To be continued...
Takeru's Team:
Riolu: (M): (Force Palm, Blaze Kick, Dig, ThunderPunch)
Joltik: (M): (Electroweb, String Shot, Electro Ball, Signal Beam)
Pidove: (M): (Aerial Ace, Gust, Air Cutter, Quick Attack)