Chapter 10: Litleo's Grooming Battle!
Last time on "Pokémon Kalos Journey", the four trainers and the little girl met up with an apprentice Pokémon Groomer named Jessica, who was having some problems with her Furfrou at the time.
Jessica had introduced her teacher, who was Sherman, the Pokémon grooming superstar as Jessica explained the basics about being a Pokémon Groomer, and what materials and requirements are needed to become one.
When out for a walk, they met with a trio of Pokémon grooming superstar, Jessalie, who took Yuki's Litleo and Serena's Fennekin for a private grooming magic. As everyone left, they all met up with Officer Jenny, who wasn't the same Jenny as they thought she would be.
Officer Jenny showed everyone a photo of her with her sisters and cousins when they were at the Officer Jenny Training Academy. "Wow... There certainly are a lot of you..." Serena laughed nervously.
"It's just like with Nurse Joy..." Yuki stated. "Lucha Haw..." Hawlucha replied in agreement. "I knew it..." Ash muttered, sweat dropping. The officer put the photo away before asking the group.
"Now, if you don't mind, there's something I'd like to ask you all." Officer Jenny replied. "What's that?" Clemont asked. "Have you seen any con artists?" Officer Jenny asked. "Con artists?" Serena asked.
Yuki then widened his eyes, knowing of where this talk was talking about. "That's right! There's a woman who claims to be a Pokémon Groomer... But, when she gets a Pokémon, she and her gang vanishes!" Officer Jenny explained.
Now, Serena grew pale, as Ash narrowed his eyes. "Tell us more!" Ash requested. The officer nodded as she continued. "It's a group of four who likes to dress flamboyantly! Two wear flashy glasses." Officer Jenny described.
As Yuki, Ash, and Serena took a closer look at the picture, they saw a familiar group of people. "It's them!" Ash exclaimed. Yuki gritted his teeth as he looked back. "That could only mean that both Litleo and Fennekin are in trouble!" Yuki snapped.
Just then, a familiar voice called out to the group. Everyone turned to see who it was. It was Litleo! The Fire Type panted as she ran over to her trainer. "It's Litleo! Are you okay!?" Yuki asked.
"Lucha?" Hawlucha asked. Litleo nodded, but whimpered as she slumped her head sadly. "Oh no... Fennekin is in trouble now!" Serena gasped. With this, everyone headed back to the salon shop.
But, as they got there, the whole place was deserted and empty. "No way..." Ash whispered. "I guess we're too late..." Clemont replied, hating to admit it. "Are you sure this is where you met them?" Officer Jenny asked.
"Yes. They were here when we last saw them..." Yuki answered as he went inside, looking around. Litleo sniffed for clues as Hawlucha checked the corners. The others investigated the inside as well.
Just then, Furfrou sniffed, smelling a familiar scent. Jessica noticed as she turned to her Pokémon. "Furfrou, are you picking up their scent?" Jessica asked. "Fur, Furfrou." The Pokémon responded.
The Poodle Pokémon then ran out of the empty building, with Jessica chasing after him. "Furfrou! Wait for me!" Jessica yelled, running after her Pokémon. Ash glared to where the two left.
"Quick! We have to follow those two!" Ash called. Everyone agreed. Yuki held Litleo in his arms as the whole group ran after Furfrou, who led them to a nearby park, that was down by the steps.
Later, the Poodle Pokémon sniffed, as it stopped by the tail. The tail, which belonged to Meowth, yelped in surprise as he turned to see Furfrou. "Yikes! What's that call!?" Meowth yelped.
Jessalie and the assistant smirked of seeing the Pokémon. In truth, the two were actually Jessie and James in disguise! "It's a Furfrou!" James answered. "Ooh! Let's catch it!" Jessie suggested.
But, before they could do anything, familiar voices called out to Furfrou. "Furfrou!" Ash called. The evil trio looked to see Ash, Yuki, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, Jessica, and Officer Jenny coming to them.
"Don't let them get away!" Serena called. Furfrou growled at the thieves as the group ran up to them. "Hey! Give Fennekin back!" Ash demanded. The evil trio smirked as they all took off their disguise.
"Prepare for trouble, pushy twerps!"
"And make it double, we're premo perbs!
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reaches to the star above!"
"Jessie!"
"And James!"
"Team Rocket, blasting off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare for one stylish fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"Wobbuffet!"
"Team Rocket!" Serena shrieked angrily. "Return the Pokémon you stole!" Officer Jenny demanded. "If you want them, you have to come and get them!" Meowth cackled. Yuki angrily took out a Pokéball and summoned his Pokémon.
"You asked for this! Let's go, Heracross!" Yuki called. "Manectric, let's go!" Officer Jenny called. Both Heracross and Manectric appeared, with Ash and Serena surprised of seeing the two.
"Whoa! Yuki's got Heracross!?" "Manectric?..." Ash and Serena asked as they both took out their Pokédexes. "Heracross, the Single Horn Pokémon. Though gentle and docile, Heracross possesses great strength and power. Their favorite food is the fresh sap of leafy trees." Ash's Pokédex buzzed.
"Manectric, the Discharge Pokémon. Manectric collects electricity from the air, creating a thundercloud above its head. Its mane gives off a strong electric current." Serena's Pokédex buzzed.
"Incredible..." Serena breathed out, amazed with the two powerful Pokémon. "Inkay! Gangway!" James called. The Psychic-Dark Type appeared, ready for some mischief.
"Use Thunderbolt!" "Heracross, use Megahorn!" Officer Jenny and Yuki called. The two shot their attacks, aiming it at Inkay, as James countered the order. "Dodge it!" James called.
Inkay dodged Thunderbolt, but was hit by Megahorn! Inkay recovered, however and bashed Heracross away, who hit Manectric from behind. The two grunted as they glared at their opponent.
"Manectric! Quick Attack!" Officer Jenny called. With a flash, Inkay was pushed back by Quick Attack, as James grew more frustrated. "Ah! Use Psybeam!" James called. Psybeam was shot, and it hit Manectric!
As the dust cleared, Manectric shot Discharge, which it hit Heracross directly! "No! Heracross!" Yuki gasped. Heracross fluttered to the ground, as Yuki returned him to its Pokéball.
Another attack hit Officer Jenny as she was sent to the ground. "Officer Jenny! Psybeam's effect is causing Manectric to be confused!" Clemont explained. Officer Jenny grunted as she took out her Electric Type's Pokéball.
"Return!" Officer Jenny called, returning the confused Manectric. With that, Ash stepped up, joining in the battle. "Leave them to me! Let's do this, Pikachu! Quick Attack!" Ash called.
Yuki wiped the sweat from his forehead as he was about to send Hawlucha for battle, until Litleo put a paw on his chest, growling of something. Yuki looked down, as he smiled.
"Let me guess... You want to join in the battle, right?" Yuki asked. Litleo nodded as she faced the evil trio as well. As Pikachu was charging towards Inkay, the opponent dodged!
Inkay then sprayed ink at Pikachu, which blinded him. The Electric Type struggled to see through the ink that's covering his face. "No! Pikachu! Are you okay!?" Serena gasped.
Yuki gritted his teeth as he called to Litleo. "Avenge Pikachu with Ember, Litleo!" Yuki called. Litleo angrily shot Ember, which burned Inkay away. "Ah! You'll pay for that!" James snapped angrily.
Bonnie grew concerned for Pikachu. "There's got to be something we can do to help out!" Bonnie whispered. Suddenly, an idea came to her head, but it proved to be useless.
Dedenne was fast asleep in her bag, not knowing of what was going on. "Ugh... Clemont! Help them out!" Bonnie groaned. Clemont nodded and took out a Pokéball. But, Ash stopped him, smiling.
"Don't worry, guys! We can still battle, right, Pikachu?" Ash asked. "Pika!" Pikachu agreed with a nod. Yuki bit his lips, unsure about this. "Still, when you're blind, you'll be at a disadvantage, so Litleo and I will help you out." Yuki reminded.
"Lit! Litleo!" The female Fire Type growled in agreement. Ash smiled and nodded. "Great! Thanks, Yuki!" Ash thanked. "Finish this with Tackle!" James called. Inkay charged at Pikachu, as Ash made the signal.
"Pikachu! Jump and dodge!" Ash called. Pikachu nodded as he dodged the attack. Yuki saw his chance. He turned to Hawlucha, who nodded. Yuki nodded back as he called to Litleo.
"Now's your chance to use Ember again, Litleo!" Yuki shouted. Litleo nodded as she blasted Inkay away with the Fire Type move. James wasn't done, however. "Psybeam, let's go!" James called.
"Pikachu! On the ground, and roll!" Ash called. "Litleo! You do the same!" Yuki called. As Inkay shot Psybeam, the two little Pokémon rolled out of the way to evade the attack.
"Turn around and use Thunderbolt!" Ash called. Pikachu shot the Electric Type move, as Yuki got ready. "Join Thunderbolt with more Ember!" Yuki shouted. Litleo shot Ember, which became mixed with Thunderbolt.
But, Jessie was ready for this chance. "Now! Your turn, Wobbuffet!" Jessie called. Wobbuffet guarded Inkay, as it deflected Thunderbolt and Ember with a Mirror Coat attack! But, the two boys were ready.
"Pikachu! Jump and dodge!" Ash called. "Litleo! Jump!" Yuki warned. The two Pokémon dodged the attacks as well. "Aim behind you and use Iron Tail!" Ash called. Pikachu aimed the attack at Wobbuffet.
"Dodge it!" Jessie called. Wobbuffet jumped out of the way, avoiding Iron Tail. "Do it, Litleo! Use Headbutt!" Yuki yelled. Litleo bashed Wobbuffet into the air, much to the evil trio's surprise.
"Pikachu! Stay put and use Thunderbolt!" Ash called. Pikachu nodded and shot the attack at Wobbuffet once more. "Wobbuffet! You know what to do!" Jessie called. Indeed the Patient Pokémon did.
It deflected Thunderbolt again with another Mirror Coat. However, Ash smirked at this, though. "Pikachu! Jump up!" Ash called. Pikachu dodged just in time to let Thunderbolt hit Inkay instead!
Both Jessie and James gasped at this blow, as Jessica grew amazed. "Ash and Pikachu, along with Yuki and Litleo... are both awesome! I can't believe that Ash is acting as Pikachu's eyes as the battle goes on!" Jessica admitted.
"I used to be surprised at this kind of stuff, too! But, now I know that this is something that only they can pull off!" Clemont explained. "It's because they trust each other!" Bonnie explained.
The words gave Jessica some thoughts. "Trust each other?" Jessica repeated. She recalled of when she asked Furfrou to trust her. But, the attempt ended in failure.
Jessica was back in reality as James made some more orders. "Use Tackle!" James called. "Intercept with Headbutt!" Yuki shouted. Tackle and Headbutt met together, but Tackle was overpowered.
As they were battling however, they didn't notice a glowing net heading straight for Jessica and Furfrou! Furfrou noticed as he pushed the apprentice groomer out of the way, being trapped by the cage.
Everyone gasped of seeing Furfrou being captured by the cage. "No! Furfrou!" Jessica shrieked. The Poodle Pokémon attempted to ram the cage, but was shocked by it instead.
Jessie revealed herself, laughing at her success. "Well, we've had quite a haul today!" Jessie laughed. "Wobbuffet!" The Patient Pokémon agreed with a smile.
Jessica shivered, seeing of what was happening to her captive Pokémon. Furfrou growled, trying to find a way out. Jessica grew breathless as she remembered the times she had met her Furfrou.
"My poor Furfrou..." Jessica whispered. She remembered the day they had met, the time when Jessica took care of the Poodle Pokémon, the time when they had walks, and more.
"Fur! Furfrou!" Furfrou called, trying to tell Jessica to escape while she still can. But, Jessica couldn't understand her Pokémon as she gritted her teeth, her fear replaced by anger.
"Give me back my Furfrou NOW!" Jessica bellowed. She ran and grabbed onto the electrifying bars, and was shocked, being knocked back to the ground. "Jessica! You'll hurt yourself!" Serena warned.
Bonnie turned towards his older brother. "Clemont!" Bonnie shouted. Clemont nodded and took out a Pokéball. "Bunnelby! Come out and help us!" Clemont shouted. Bunnelby appeared, ready to fight the enemies.
"Alright, Bunnelby! Use Mud Shot and destroy that cage!" Clemont called. Bunnelby leapt in the air, creating Mud Shot, throwing it at the cage. However, Jessie wasn't going to allow things to go by easily.
"Go, Wobbuffet!" Jessie called. Wobbuffet used Mirror Coat again, deflecting Mud Shot. "Bunnelby! Use Dig!" Clemont yelled. Bunnelby quickly dug underground, evading Mud Shot.
Yuki gritted his teeth of seeing Mirror Coat. "That Wobbuffet is really getting on my nerves! Litleo! Use Take Down on Wobbuffet!" Yuki yelled. Litleo smashed into the Patient Pokémon, causing it to yelp in pain.
As soon as Wobbuffet landed on the ground, Bunnelby sent it flying in the air! Ash saw his chance to make his attack. "Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt, straight ahead!" Ash yelled.
Thunderbolt was launched, and struck Inkay, causing an explosion. Jessica took a long stick, and slammed it on the cage. "Why you... Take this!" Jessica shrieked.
As the device was broken, she knelt down, hugging Furfrou. The broken device landed in front of Jessie, as it exploded! Jessie let out a scream, being sent to the ground, and off of her feet.
Jessica looked back at her Poodle Pokémon as she hugged him happily. "You're safe!" Jessica sighed in relief. Bonnie took out a rag, cleaning the ink off of Pikachu's face.
"Let me clean that icky ink off of you!" Bonnie replied, wiping Pikachu's face. The ink was off as Pikachu got his sight back happily. As the dust cleared, the evil trio were coughing madly.
As the coughing was done, they were confronted by the four trainers, Bonnie, Jessica, Officer Jenny, and Furfrou. Furfrou stepped up as Jessica noticed. "Hey... Do you want to have a battle with them?" Jessica asked.
Furfrou let out a growl, answering her question. "I've got it! Use Charge Beam!" Jessica yelled. Furfrou shot the powerful Electric Type move, blasting the panicky evil trio away.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket screamed as they disappeared out of sight. Once they were gone, the bag containing the Pokéballs spilled out, also revealing Fennekin.
The Fox Pokémon yipped, running to Serena happily. The Vaniville girl hugged her Fire Type happily. "Thank goodness you're alright!" Serena sighed happily. At that time, Officer Jenny picked up all the Pokéballs.
"I'll return all of these stolen Pokéballs back to their trainers. Thank you, Ash. Yuki. And everyone!" Officer Jenny thanked. "No prob!" Ash assured. "We were happy to help, officer." Yuki replied.
"Hawlucha!" "Lit! Litleo!" Yuki's two Pokémon agreed with two grins. Then, Bonnie turned to her big brother. "Hey, Clemont! Didn't we just see Furfrou listening to Jessica?" Bonnie asked.
"Yeah, you're right!" Ash agreed. "Pika!" Pikachu cried in agreement. "I think this means that Furfrou sees you as its real trainer and partner now!" Yuki guessed. "Lucha!" Hawlucha agreed.
Jessica blinked in surprise, before blushing lightly. "I'm sure of it!" Serena added. "Mm hm!" Yuki, Ash, and Clemont agreed. Jessica then lowered to Furfrou's level, looking at him.
"Oh Furfrou... Will you let me style you now?" Jessica asked. Furfrou let out a growl and a nod. "Ah! Furfrou!" Jessica exclaimed happily, hugging her Poodle Pokémon.
So, everyone headed back to Sherman's Pokémon Groomer shop where Jessica was about to begin styling her Furfrou. "First, let's get you all brushed!" Jessica called. "Fur..." Furfrou growled in satisfaction.
So, Jessica was brushing her Pokémon, as Sherman let out a chuckle. "Look at that big smile! Such confidence! What a welcome sight!" Sherman chuckled. Serena made some thoughts to herself.
"Seeing Jessica and Furfrou being so happy is so nice!" Serena commented. "It looks like you're at the peak of health!" Jessica giggled. She began to shower Furfrou now.
Time passed as Jessica began to style Furfrou now, washing its fur with shampoo and conditioner, and adding colors to it. As time passed again, the design was finished.
The group grew amazed to this result. Jessica and her styled Furfrou came out of the door, smiling nervously. "So, what do you think?" Jessica asked. "Beautiful!" "And such style!" Bonnie and Serena commented.
"Such perfection!" Sherman chuckled. "Thank you so much!" Jessica thanked her mentor. She then turned to the others. "Thank you, too! I owe so much to every one of you!" Jessica thanked along.
Serena shook her head with a smile. "It's because you connected to Furfrou's heart!" Serena assured. Jessica nodded to that. "I'm going to make that bond with me and Furfrou deeper and deeper and groom as much as I possibly can!" Jessica promised.
She looked up and let out a happy smile. "Someday, I'll be a famous Groomer!" Jessica assured. "And when you are, will you style my Fennekin?" Serena asked. Jessica smiled to that.
"Of course!" Jessica agreed.
Later, it was sunset as the group was about to make their leave for Lumiose City. "Take care!" Sherman called. "Next time you travel this way, please stop by!" Jessica called to them.
"Okay! Goodbye!" Ash called out. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu said, saying his goodbye as well. "Best wishes until the very end!" Yuki called. "Hawlucha!" Hawlucha called. With that, the group left, leaving the salon area.
As they were walking, Yuki gave a sigh with a smiled. "Today was so hectic... I couldn't even know what to say about today..." Yuki sighed. "Lucha Haw." Hawlucha replied with a smirk.
"I can't wait to get to Lumiose City!" Serena exclaimed happily, interrupting their thoughts. The words left Clemont and Bonnie nervous, as Ash, Yuki, and Serena ran ahead. "Keep the pace up, Yu!" Ash called.
Yuki flushed at the nickname again. "Stop calling me that!" Yuki snapped. Both Ash and Serena laughed at his embarrassment as they ran ahead, leaving Clemont and Bonnie trailing behind.
And so, Jessica has gained her trust from Furfrou, and is now on her way to become a Pokémon Groomer. Now, it's time to head for Lumiose City! What will the trainers see to there? Stay tuned for some more!
To be continued...
Yuki's Team:
Hawlucha: (M): (Flying Press, Aerial Ace, Karate Chop, Double Team)
Heracross: (M): (Swords Dance, Protect, Brick Break, Megahorn)
Litleo: (F): (Ember, Headbutt, Take Down, Tackle)
Next chapters:
Chapter 11: Clemont's Secret Revealed!
Chapter 12: VS Clembot! For The Lumiose Gym!
Chapter 13: Team Rocket's Lab Intrusion!
Chapter 14: VS Mega Mega Meowth!
Chapter 15: Double Trouble Separation!
Next chapter preview:
Clemont: Uh... Gang? We should leave Lumiose City right away!
Ash: Huh? Why? What's the big rush?
Yuki: WHAT!? Clemont, you're the Lumiose City Gym Leader!?
Clemont: Yeah... But, my robot is like taking over the Gym, making problems to everything!
Bonnie: Big brother tried to do everything, but nothing worked!
Ash: You're just going to have to battle your robot then!