Chapter 9: Storm

Now that Ash has discovered that Hilda is pregnant with their child this could be the end of Hilda's journey, or is it just the beginning? As the battle between the two evil factions takes to a new level.

Skyla: 22

Disclaimer: pokemon isn't mine but the story is.

(Ash's POV)

After the Earthquake passed and the small aftershocks were starting to rock the city we walked to the Pokemon Center to see if the people were okay, we looked around to see the gym building was completely destroyed and Clay was standing on the outside of the gym, we looked around to hear that some of the people were trapped inside some of the houses.

"Faxure and Palpitoad let's help the people out" said calling out two of my more powerful pokemon, "Faxure use Dragon Claw and Palpitoad use Mud Shot" I called out for the attacks, after the powerful attacks landed knocking away debris I ran inside to rescue the people, "hey you guys okay?" I asked calmly as another aftershock rock the city, "dammit we better get you out of here" I told them as I took the injured one and helped him out.

After making out of the house I looked back to watch the house fully collapse, "Ash we need to get to the Pokemon Center now" Hilda told me but I ignored her much to her displeasure, "alright Ash I am sorry for hiding the fact we are having a child!" Hilda apologized with tears starting to flow down her face.

"I know you're sorry Hilda but we need to save the people" I told Hilda calmly, "and I am sorry for my attitude I should have known better than to put you and our child in danger like that" I said angry at myself knowing that the enemies would surely take advantage of the fact that I am starting a family with Hilda, "Hilda please go to the Pokemon Center I need to help rescue the people" I requested as I declared my resolve to save the people.

"Ash please come back safely alright" Hilda asked me with a smile, I nodded in approval as I told Pikachu to go with Hilda, "Ash why are you letting Pikachu stay with me?" Hilda asked me nervously.

"If I am not there Hilda I ask Pikachu to keep an eye on you" I told her with a smile, "and now that you are having our child you need to be extra careful" I told her with a grin as I ran off to save the people.

"So you intend to help the people out?" Clay asked me with a smile, "well I can't battle in the gym since it got destroyed in the earthquake" Clay pointed out with sadness and showing me the only six badges he had with his, "and I can only give six badges out until I get the supply of badges in my office" Clay pointed out.

After a few hours of saving people we decided to look around to see if there were any more people that need saving, it was starting to get very dark and cold, Clay walked back to his home happy that he helped the people out while I went to the Pokemon Center to see if Hilda and Pikachu was alright, the Pokemon Center was filled to the brim with displaced people and injured wild pokemon.

"Ash you're safe" Hilda told me with a sigh as we looked around to see the people feeling tired, "Ash my brothers girlfriend can help out here" Hilda told me as she pulled out an X-transceiver, "she runs a cargo service so she can drop blankets, food and toys to this location" Hilda told me with a smile, "I will call her now" Hilda declared as she punched in a few numbers.

"Hilda I am glad you called there is something I need to tell you" said a woman with magenta colored hair.

"Not now Skyla we need your help" Hilda told Skyla.

"Anything for Hilbert's sister" Skyla said with a smile.

"I need a lot of blankets, food and toys" Hilda explained her order of items that were needed to help the people have a comfortable night, "there was an earthquake here four hours ago" Hilda explained with sorrow.

"Okay I am on it now" Skyla said with a serious look on her face, "also if you Hilbert tell that bastard I am pregnant" Skyla declared with anger, "he hasn't returned any of calls and avoided the city for the last four days" Skyla said angered at the fact that Hilbert hadn't returned to see how she was going.

"Damn the woman doesn't keep secrets" I said with a smile, alright I will be outside to keep an eye out for Skyla, "Hilda how long will it take for Skyla to drop the stuff here?" I asked Hilda calmly, as we watched the sunset light up the sky with a red and orange color, "Hilda if things get too dangerous I want you to head back to Nuvema town" I said with worry.

"Ash why are you asking me to do that?" she asked trying to keep a level head, "what if I can make a difference?" she asked as I looked into her eyes.

"Hilda I just don't want anything to happen to our child" I explained as I heard a loud noise approach the area, "damn Skyla is quick" I said with a smile as a huge amount of cargo dropped out of the plane, "so Hilda you ready to help these people?" I asked with a grin while we waited for the for the crates to hit the ground.

"Ash I am ready to help" Hilda told me with confident smirk, "after all of this I intend to face the gym leader" she declared.

"Hilda if you get too tired get some rest" I told her quietly, she nodded her head in approval.

I stayed up most of the night handing out food, blankets and toys to the displaced people with Hilda but as the night wore on Hilda was starting to get very tired, she did as she was told and headed to bed to get some sleep while I stayed up all night helping the people out, during that time my pokemon were playing with the kids until they started to fall asleep, "thank you sir" an elderly couple thankfully said with a happy look on their face, "without your help a lot of these people would have gone cold" the elderly couple told me.

"I just can't turn my back away from people in need" I said with a smile.

"Hey sir where is the woman that was with you?" a child asked with a frown.

"She isn't well so I told her to get some sleep" I replied with a smile, before walking out of the Pokemon Center to meet with Clay.

"Hello Ash is there anything I can do for you?" Clay asked me with a smile.

"Yes Clay Hilda wants a rematch tomorrow" I told the gym leader.

"Sadly I can't oblige in that request" Clay said sadly as he looked at the ruined gym building, "my gym has been totally destroyed in the earthquake" he said as he hit the ground.

"You don't need the building" I remarked as he turned his gaze to me, "we need away to put some smiles on the children's face so having the gym battles outside wouldn't hurt" I said confidently, "come on Clay let's have those battles outdoors instead" I suggested calmly.

"Alright Ash I can do that" he acknowledged with a smile.

I walked back to the Pokemon Center to see if everyone was alright, a lot of the people were asleep but there were some that stayed awake to keep an eye on the people, "at least they will be alight and the aftershocks seemed to have settled down for now" I said while looking around, I found myself a spot to sit in and started to nod off.

It was later that night that I was starting to get cold until I felt someone place a blanket on me, I opened my eyes to see that Hilda was sitting next the me covering us with a blanket, "Ash I don't want you to get a cold" she said with assurance, "I will help you stay warm" Hilda happily remark as we both fell asleep again.

"You have a gym battle tomorrow" I told her while I started to go back to sleep.

"Thanks Ash" Hilda appreciatively said while falling to sleep next to me.

"In front of the whole city" I said with a smile, but Hilda didn't mind she kept snuggling into me.


(Hilda's POV)

We had been asleep for the night and the morning sun was starting to shine in, I was just starting to wake up while Ash was sound asleep, "damn he sleeps like a baby" I said with a smile as I pulled the blanket off of him, "wake up you bum" I said as I pushed Ash from the couch.

"Oh shit Hilda why did you wake me up?" Ash asked with annoyance as I looked at him and smiled.

"I have my gym battle today" I said as I walked out of the gym and into the fresh air of Driftveil City, today is a perfect day to obtain my fifth badge" declared with a grin as another aftershock shuddered the ground around me.

"Man the battles will be tough with these aftershocks" Ash told me knowing how much ground types thrive on these events, "Hilda you sure you're up for this?" Ash asked me while we walked to the battlefield.

We finally made it to the battlefield and saw that the entire City was ready to watch me battle against the gym leader, the people were looking on as Clay was showing off his ground type pokemon, "Clay I am here to battle you" I declared confidently, the crowd looked at me making me slightly nervous, Ash moved on to a seat to watch the battle.

"So mister who do you think will win" a child asked Ash.

"I think Hilda will win the battle" Ash responded with a smile.

"No way that girl can't beat Clay" the child said with a smile, but Ash just looked at the children and smile. I glared at Clay and pulled out my first pokeball.

"Go Palpitoad" Clay called out his pokemon getting ready for the first round of battle, "Hilda in this battle it will be the best two out of three" Clay declared.

"Alright then my first pokemon will be Swadloon" I said calling out my grass type pokemon, we looked at each other waiting for the first move to be made, it was to the point that another weak tremor rumbled in the ground beneath our feet.

"Alright Palpitoad use Mud Shot" Clay called out for the first attack after the tremor passed, the wate type fired a volley of mud at Swadloon, this was a problem for me since there was no way that I could use string shot.

"Alright use Energy Ball Swadloon" I called out for the counter attack, the sphere of natural energy smashed passed the volleys of mud before hitting the duel type pokemon for a devenstating blow, "Yes not use Razor Leaf to finish it off" I demanded with a confident smile.

"Alright use Hydro Pump" Clay called out for the powerful water type move, the attack smashed passed the leaves and hit my Swadloon for a decent amount of damage.

"Great type advantages are barely working here since Swadloons maneuverability is serious hampered" I told myself as the crowd was starting to come to life, "Swadloon use Razor Leaf again" I called out for the next attack, Swadloon fired another flurry of leaves at the powerful water type pokemon, the leaves slammed into the duel type pokemon knocking it out of the battle.

"Not bad little girl but that was only a warm up" Clay declared while returning our respective pokemon, "now it's your turn Krokorok" Clay called forth his next pokemon to battle me.

"Alright go Purrloin" I called for my dark type pokemon, "Purrloin let's get this battle started with Night Slash" I called out for the first attack of the round, Krokorok stood there waiting for the dark feline t get a little closer.

"Alright Krokorok use Crunch" the two pokemon charged at each other ready to slam into each other, the two attack collided but Krokorok over powered my Purrloin and pushed it back to where it started from, "now Krokorok use Stone Edge" Clay called for the next attack, Krokorok fired a barrage of stones at Purrloin.

"Purrloin quick dance around the stones" I told my dark type pokemon, Purrloin started dodging the stones gracefully as the crowd looked on in awe, "now Purrloin use Sucker Punch" I called out for the next attack, after dodging the barrage of stones Purrloin punched the opposing pokemon with a darkened fist.

"Wow little girl you're quite the trainer" Clay said with a smile, "but I have alreay won this round, Krokorok use Crunch" Clay called out calmly, Krokorok bit down on the cat like pokemon with incredible force.

Purrloin was sent back hurt from the last attack, "I concede this round" I said calmly knowing that Purrloin couldn't battle anymore in this round, we recalled our respective pokemon and got ready for the next round of the battle with each taking one round.

"Hilda you show the hallmarks of an amazing trainer" Clay complimented me, "knowing when your pokemon can and cannot battle is the most important part of a trainer" Clay told me with a grin, "the next battle decides it, Excadrill let's end this battle" Clay called for his powerful ground/steel type pokemon.

"I guess this is it" I said as I threw my pokeball, "Pignite show them what you are made of" I called out to my starter pokemon, after calling out our respective pokemon another tremor shook the ground but that didn't deter the pokemon.

"Excadrill use Drill Run" Clay instructed his pokemon after the tremor cleared away, Excadrill jumped into the air while closing its claws around its head while spinning around before charging at Pignite.

"Pignite Dodge the attack then use Flame Charge" I told my pokemon, Pignite dodge the attack barely and started stomping on the ground before charging at the steel type surrounded in flames, Pignite smashed into the subterrene pokemon.

"Wow Hilda is a good trainer" some of the kids were saying as the cheering got louder.

"Come on Hilda win this one!" Ash yelled out confidently as the two pokemon slammed into each other with vicious attack after vicious attack.

"Pignite use Brick Break" I called out to my exhausted pokemon.

"Excadrill use Drill Run" Clay commanded confidently, the two pokemon charged at each other with great ferocity, the two attack collided sending up a column of dust and smoke into the air, the crowd was going nuts as the dust and smoke started to settle back down, after the dust had settle the two pokemon stood there pushing back and forth for supremacy.

The wrestle continued until the two tired pokemon pulled back and awaited orders for the next attack, "not bad Hilda, now I will end this battle, Excadrill use Horn Drill" Clay told his pokemon to use its final attack of the battle.

"Now Pignite dodge the attack and use Heat Crash" I called out for the counter attack, Pignite wait for the last moment to dodge the incoming attack, Pignite became surrounded in flames and crashed down on Excadrill with incredible force, the two pokemon stood on opposite ends of the field looking at each other, Excadrill smiled then collapsed from sheer exhaustion.

"Well done Hilda" Clay congratulated me with a smile as the crowd cheered me on after the battle, "this was all Ash's idea to help people recover from the last few days" Clay pointed out as I looked over to Ash, "this Quake Badge is yours" Clay said handing me my newly acquired gym badge.

"If you liked this battle you will love the battle with Ash" I told Clay as I watched Ash talking to the crowd, "he is a fantastic trainer" I said with confidence.

Clay walked up to Ash to talk to him, "Ash we will battle tomorrow my pokemon need healing" Clay told Ash as the fans got excited at the prospect of seeing another battle.

"Right and I will win my next badge" Ash stated calmly as he got up and walked to the Pokemon Center, I followed him soon after, "So Hilda want to have a quick training battle after you rest your pokemon?" Ash asked me with a smile.

"Yeah of course Ash" I replied happily as we walked to the Pokemon Center.

We made it to the Pokemon Center and looked around to see that it was empty, "it seems like the people have gone to try and rebuild their homes" Ash said with a smile, I gave my pokemon to Nurse Joy, we had waited for a few hours for my pokemon to be healed. During the time my pokemon were being healed we went out and had some lunch to build up on our energy.

We had finished waiting for my pokemon to be healed before we walked outside to have a quick battle, Ash was using his Rufflet and I was using my Munna, "Rufflet use Air Slash" Ash commanded his flying type pokemon, the small eaglet pokemon sent out blades of air at Munna.

"Alright Munna use Psychic on Rufflet" I instructed my psychic pokemon, a blue aura surrounded the flying type before it started to glow white and grow larger, "what Rufflet is evolving" I said in amazement, once the glowing disappeared a pokemon with larger wings hovered over the battlefield, Ash pulled out his pokedex to gather information on the new pokemon.

"Braviary this is awesome" Ash said in celebration as we looked at the tired Munna.

"Ash I think we should have a break" I told Ash as we recalled our pokemon and walked back into the Pokemon Center this time it was filled to the brim with people, we healed our pokemon and had dinner, Ash was eating a lot of food surprising even me about how much he could eat, "Ash you need to take it easy" I said with great concern, after eating dinner we both decided it was time to get some sleep.


(Ash's POV)

After a decent night's sleep I was awoken yet again by Hilda, "dammit Hilda can't you at least be nice about waking me up?" I asked annoyed at the woman who pushed me out of bed, "I know I have a gym battle but I am in no rush" I said with a frown.

"Well Ash if you were going to take any longer you would have your battle tomorrow" Hilda told me with slight frustration, "it's almost lunch time" Hilda told me, I quickly picked myself up and got as much food as possible before gorging down on lunch.

We had finished having lunch before walking out of the Pokemon Center and back to the battlefield where it was my turn to battle Clay, there was a large crowd at the battlefield ready to watch me battle this time, "Pikachu you will have to sit this one out" I told my partner pokemon as he went over to sit with Hilda.

"So Ash you ready to battle me?" Clay asked with a smile, we looked at each other ready for the intense battle, "same as yesterday the best two out of three will win this battle" Clay told me as I nodded in approval of the rules, "so let's get this started now, go Krokorok" Clay called out his first pokemon to battle me.

"Alright then I will go with Fraxure" I called out for my dragon type pokemon to battle the ground type pokemon, "Dragon Claw" Fraxure's claws started to glow as he charged at the desert croc pokemon.

"Take the hit then use Assurance" Clay called out for his counter attack, Fraxure slashed at the ground type pokemon knocking it back slightly, but Krokorok tackled the dragon type dealing intense damage, "Ash Assurance deals greater damage if the user had taken damage from another attack" Clay told me, "Krokorok use Crunch" Clay called out as Krokorok charged at the dragon type pokemon.

"Fraxure use Dragon Dance" Fraxure danced around like I commanded increasing the attack and speed of the dragon type while dodging the attack coming from Krokorok, "good now Fraxure use Dual Chop" I called out calmly.

"Krokorok use Foul Play" Clay instructed his pokemon, the two pokemon charged at each other with great intent, as they made it to the two pokemon slammed into each other causing a huge column of dirt to rise into the air.

The kids were cheering on as the short but intense battle started to get more exciting, the dust had settled showing that the two pokemon were still standing raring to battle on, "Fraxure use Dragon Rage" Fraxure charged up for a powerful attack.

"Krokorok use Sand Tomb" Krokorok sent out a vicious wave of sand at the dragon type but the attack was bypassed by a powerful Dragon Rage, the attack slammed into the ground type dealing even more damage, Krokorok took the powerful hit and collapsed onto the gound knocked out of the battle, "wow the Fraxure of yours is very powerful" Clay told me with a smile. We recalled our pokemon ready for the next round of our battle, "Excadrill go" Clay called out his signature pokemon.

"Zoroark I choose you" I called out for my dark type pokemon as the two pokemon glared at each other ready to battle against each other, "Zoroark start this battle off with Flamethrower" Zoroark sent out a flurry of flames at the duel type pokemon.

"Use Rapid Spin" Clay called out calmly as the subterrene pokemon spun its claws around to remove the flames, "now use Drill Run" Excadrill closed its head inside its claws and sup around while charging at my dark type pokemon.

"Use Night Slash" I called out quickly, the two pokemon charged at each other with great ferocity knocking each other back from where they started, "nicely done Zoroark, now attack with Dark Pulse" Zoroark sent out a wave of Dark Energy at the opposing pokemon.

"Quick Excadrill use Dig to get out of there" Excadrill dug into the ground upon hearing Clay's command, the wave of dark energy missed the intended target.

"Zoroark use Shadow Ball in the hole" I told my pokemon, Zoroark jumped into the air with a ball of ghost like energy before firing it at the hole, Zoroark landed on the ground and suddenly got hit by Excadrill's attack.

"Not a bad move Ash but Excadrill can dig many holes in rapid succession" Clay told me as the two pokemon looked at each tiredly, "Excadrill use Horn Drill" Excadrill charged at the with its top part of the drill glowing white and spinning around.

"Zoroark use Flamethrower" I called out as my pokemon sent out another storm of flames at the charging ground type pokemon, "Zoroark dodge it now" I commanded but it was too late Horn Drill made contact knocking out Zoroark from the battle, Excadrill returned to the side of Clay panting from the battle it had with Zoroark, we both returned our pokemon and got ready to call out our next pokemon to battle.

"Palpitoad let's win this" Clay called out his water pokemon to battle.

"Snivy I choose you" I said calling forth my pokemon, the wind blew across the battlefield while the crowd grew silent as the two pokemon gazed at each other, I looked at Clay who was waiting for me to make the first move of the final round knowing that Snivy was at a severe advantage in the round.

"Snivy use Leaf Blade" Snivy followed my commanded with great precision, her tail glowed green before jumping up into the air, she slashed down but the attack was dodged barely by Palpitoad.

"That is one powerful Snivy you have there" Clay told me with a grin, "Palpitoad use attack with Mud Shot" Palpitoad fired a volley of mud at Snivy.

"Alright Snivy dodge the attack, then use Leaf Tornado" Snivy gracefully dodged the attack and started spinning around before sending out a twister of leaves at the vibration pokemon, the leaves smashed into the water type dealing immense damage.

"No that Snivy is fast, very high level" Clay said as the leaves cleared away revealing that Snivy had knocked out her opponent, "well done Ash you are a great trainer" Clay told me with a grin as the crowd looked on in shock at the defeat that Clay was handed.

"Thanks Clay that was a great battle" I said with a grin as we shook hands in respect, "I need to heal my pokemon and leave or the next city" I said calmly as I looked at the crowd who were cheering me for my victory.

After leaving the battlefield and waited for my pokemon to be healed we took the chance to have a break for while so we can rest up a bit, it gave us the chance to have a chat about something important, "Ash I know you want me to head back to Nuvema Town if things get too dangerous" Hilda said calmly, "what if you need help in the upcoming battles?" she asked me worried about what was set to occur.

"Hilda I have friends that are willing to help, they have all come from different regions" I told her with a smile, "plus after winning the Unova League I plan to settle down and start a family" I said with a grin, "and it seems I will be starting one earlier than expected" I said with laughter.

"So you don't mind Ash?" Hilda enquired nervously.

"I will make sure nothing happens to you and our child" I proclaimed with a confident look, "I said this before, if it gets too dangerous with Team Rocket and Team Plasma I want you to go back home" I said with a frown on my face.

"Alright I will do that on one condition" Hilda said with a smile, "you come back to me alive alright" Hilda requested with a smile, "I don't want our child to be without a father" she told me while hugging me.

"You have my word I will stay alive through all of this" I promised while petting Hilda's long brown hair, "our child will have a father" I promised again.

"Thank you Ash" Hilda thankfully told me, "I should have known better than to keep it quiet from you" Hilda said apologetically.

After the chat we went out to buy the supplies we need for the rest before heading out of the city, "I hope they can rebuild after the earthquake" I said calmly as parts of the city was starting to look a lot better.


(Normal POV)

"Sir almost all of the preparations are complete" a rocket soldier said with a smile, "our ambush of the Plasma forces are setting up along the road to the west and our main force is set up just to the north of it" the rocket grunt pointed out calmly.

"Very good very soon our plans for world conquest will be in full motion" the rocket general said confidently, "once we dismantle Team Plasma here there will be no one who can challenge us" he said calmly.

"Sir the supplies from Icirrus City is coming at a steady rate" another rocket soldier promptly stated calmly with a salute.

"Excellent make sure the supplies continue to flow at a decent rate" the general requested with a smile, "make sure the preparations aren't stopped by anyone" he said calmly before starting a call up to his boss.

The end of the chapter but not the story, Ash has accepted the duties that befall him after the conflict and adventure is over.

To war is about to reach a new level as the two powers take up position, what will happen in the conflict? And will Hilda follow Ash's request if things get too dangerous for her? And what role will Skyla play in the upcoming conflict

Next time in Blaze and Glory, Chapter 10: War