Pikachu: Pika pi pika pikachu!?(What a chapter maraphon!?)
Me: Yes two chapters in a row, our readers are spoiled this week. As you have guessed Naruto's first gym battle didn't go as he had hoped. *hears training outside*
Hinata: *pops out of pokeball* H-he's really beating himself up f-for h-hurting Ash...
Me Yeah, but he's a tough cookie, he bounces back like the ping pong ball he is. XD
Hinata: Hai~! Um, t-today we get a n-new friend introduced.
Me: And You my girl get some "I'm a total badass" time since a pokemon hunter is targeting your hubby.
Hinata: *fur bristles* OH *** NO THEY DON'T! *rushes off*
Me: *drinks some Tapu Coco and marshmellows with my Sylveon while chaos from the pokemon hunter happens behind my studio* Before we start, are you all excited about the Galar Region and what starter team are you? Team Scorbunny(like me), Team Grookey, or Team Sobble? Let me know in the review.
Chapter 9
Naruto's The Target!?
Hinata's Time To Shine!
~.~.~
It was a beautiful day out today as the gang continued along on their way towards Dawn's next contest and Ash's next gym battle. Dawn was still in good spirits after yesterday's capture of a pachirisu joining her team of contest performing 'mons. The sky was partly cloudly and the sun was shining and...Naruto, well...
"Are you still upset over that gym battle? That was literally weeks ago now!"squeaked Pikachu as he poked his head down to look inside Ash's pack.
"Go away!"grumbled the ghost/fire type.
Said fox had been a sour mood since they left. The ordeal at Oreburgh Gym had left Naruto still oddly recovering and drained. Brock had told Ash that Joy said he just needed to take it easy for about a month at most. Which meant no battling or training. Which might be partly why he was in such a sour mood; Pikachu always saw him spar with Hinata and on the odd occassion even he would join them.
Hinata lately had been staying out of her ball out of love and concern for Naruto. She floated over to pikachu's side. "H-he just needs s-some rest, Pikachu. H-he'll be better in a f-few days."she barked. Her ears perked at hearing a soft whine from inside Ash's backpack. Calmly the shiny whispup stuck her head inside.
"Naruto-kun?"she yipped softly, catching her mate's attention.
Naruto was curled up into a tight ball of fluff and opened a blue eye glazed in slight pain and tired from the medicine Joy had prescribed him for his recovery. Joy had wanted them to stay a bit longer to ensure Naruto and the rest of pokemon were in good enough shape to hit the road. Then of course like always Team Rocket just had to screw everything over, leaving the center a mess. Which left them really not much options but head out and for Brock to continue the treatment by Joy's instructions on the road.
When her mate said nothing she crawled inside and it was a tight fit but she snuggled up, wrapping her own tails around him as he groomed him, earning a soft purr from the tired male ghost type. "It still hurts a little huh?"she asked quietly, not stuttering for once.
"A little...the road's been bumpy..."mumbled Naruto.
"You w-were like this too after Akatsuki attack the v-village, r-remember?"Naruto nodded, nuzzling into her warm fur. "
"Kurama's fault."chuckled Naruto, earning a smile from the female ghost type vixen.
"Well it's day time, go back to sleep. I won't leave, Naruto."soothed Hinata, licking him between the ears.
Pikachu poked his head back in to check in on them to find the lovebirds were snuggled up and fast asleep like all night dwelling pokemon should be right now.
"How's whispup doing Pikachu?"asked Ash as the group just now going up another hill.
Pikachu simply gave a smile, chuckling as he pointed at Ash's bag. This made the three trainers curious as they stopped at the top and stole a peak inside Ash's pack to see the sight.
"Aaaawww~! They are so cute snuggling up like that."squealed Dawn in delight.
"That's my girl, you make me proud."Brock could help but sob in delight and victory for his pokemon's love life.
"They really look happy together like that, huh?"noted Ash as Pikachu nodded in agreement.
Ash moved his bag back onto his back and the trio looked out admiring the beautiful sight of the flowers that covered the entire area. That is until a pokemon overhead flew by and it was huge with a blue, grey, and red reptilian dragon body and huge red wings. Unfortunately something about it also woke the two whispups, causing them to poke their heads out. Ash's whispup was snarling while Brock's was shaking with ears pressed to her skull.
"Just what pokemon is that!?" Dawn was fast to pull out her pokedex and pointed it at the pokemon in question,
Salamance the Dragon Pokemon.
As a result of a powerful desire to fly, Salamence were able to trigger the cells in their body and cause them to grow wings.
"Look somebody's riding it!"pointed out Ash quickly.
The intent and aura that human girl was giving off that was riding that dragon type made Naruto's fur stand on end as his jewels actually turned blood red as did Hinata's. It was rich with ill will and intentions. They watched as the salamence and it's trainer went straight for the house just a short distense away. The trio decide it would be best to investigate and a good thing too cause a pokemon hunter just as they arrived had turned a poor gardevior to bronze and had taken it away.
"Gardevior! Gardevior!"cried the young girl with magony colored hair.
"Hey you ok!?"cried out Ash as he and his friends arrived unfortunately too late.
"I'm alright but please you gotta help me get Gardevior back!"she pleaded as Dawn and Brock worked fast to get the poor girl free of the string shot.
Naruto did not like this one bit as he flew out of Ash's bag, fur bristling like fire as eyes turned red. This human was dangerous! This human had to gotten rid of! That's all the things his pokemon instincts were screaming at him as Hinata turned invisible and stayed in Ash's bag for safety out of fear. She was no coward but she wasn't the bravest or strongest pokemon here either so before Naruto had jumped out he had told her to hide.
The hunter in question that had the salamence and an ariados was robed in black with a strange sort of ray gun on her arm, pale spikey hair, and hi-tech goggles that looked like shades straight out of a spy movie.
"You can count on it, we'll get your pokemon back!"said Ash, furious about what just happened as he raced off with Pikachu and his whispup in tow.
"They aren't getting away with this!"snarled Naruto.
"Agreed. Poachers...I despise them to my core, Naruto."growled Pikachu in turn.
Pikachu's past had always been a bit of mystery to all the humans the electric mouse had grown to know, including his best friend and partner. He gritted his teeth as the picked up the pursuit after the hunter. It brought back bad memories of his own youth as a tiny pichu in Viridian Forest...h-his family, those damn humans! It made the mouse pokemon's blood boil.
Naruto could feel the anger radiating from his trainer and friend. He could understand why; during the decades of life as a ninja it was natural you would end up hurting people for the mission but though it was hazy he did recall he tried to help others, not cause harm like this hunter was doing. It infuriated him. These months here he had many pokemon and trainers, all of them different. It didn't sit right with him for in his view it'd be like somebody kidnapping his friends or family. Now his own blood was beginning to boil over. Taking a shortcut down a steep slope the trio soon managed to catch up and cut the car off.
"Quick, Pikachu use thunderbolt and Whispup Flash Cannon!"ordered Ash swiftly.
The duo let loose their attacks but it did jack shit to the armored car!
"Shit, it didn't work!"hissed Ash as the car skid to a halt to cut off any escape.
The hunter in question was standing on her salamence as it floated down to land gently on the ground. "Those were some pretty impressive attacks there."she stated. Her eyes though landed on the vulpix-like pokemon that was bristling and snarling where it stood. That was a pokemon she had never seen before! Swiftly she touched the a button on the side of the goggles to try and find a match but nothing came up. That meant one single thing: this was a rare, newly discovered pokemon!
"Hey you just can't go off and steal pokemon like that!"shouted Ash.
"Yeah you creep!"spat Pikachu.
"Totally not cool!"growled Naruto.
Naruto though was not liking the way this woman was eyeing him like some limited edition five star bowl of ramen. It made it even worse when he was sensing the evil, greedy intentions she was giving off that were directed right at him. Sweet Arceus, it was like dealing with Akatsuki all over again!
"That's quite the pokemon you got there kid, it'll fetch a good price."she mused, eyes locked onto Naruto, making him flinch.
"What're you talking about? Give back that Gardevior!"snapped Ash, not too pleased.
"No can do kid. Go."the hunter let loose a huge purple scorpion bug-like pokemon.
Naruto hissed under his breath, knowing full well he wasn't up at full strength as did Hinata whom was watching nervously from Ash's bag. It was a new thing they had discovered recently about the species. When invisible they seemed to gain eyes that functioned just like a luxray's own. Allowing them to see through anything to lock onto their target. It was thanks to Hinata actually that this discovery had become apparent as she was more cautious and careful then her male companion. She had heard everything, and she was not happy. It was making very, very, very BAD memories hit the shiny vixen pokemon's head. Memories of the Siege of the Hidden Leaf when Naruto was pinned to the ground by the Akatsuki, and it was making her blood run old.
Ash pulled out his dex and quickly pointed it at the new pokemon...
Drapion, the Ogre Scorp Pokémon.
Its claws give off a deadly poison and they are powerful enough to turn an automobile into scrap iron.
Naruto's eyes turned wide at hearing that dex entry, making a shiver run up his spine at the thought. As did Pikachu and Hinata. This poison/dark type was freaky beyond belief and ugly as an be.
"I'd love to see that rare pokemon of your's other moves, so bring it on."stated the hunter.
Ash wasn't too sure if it was a good idea to make his Whispup fight; Whispup wasn't full recovered yet. While he could see the little ghost fox was trying hard to keep face he could see the labored panting was starting a bit. But said fox looked over a look that said, "I trust you, just trust me." Ash gave a small nod as he thought for a second. "it says it's part Dark so Psybeam isn't a good idea at the moment, oh wait those would work!"thought the young preteen.
"Alright, you asked for it! Whispup, Shadow Ball!"shouted Ash.
Naruto nodded and smirked as he launched a pitch black ghastly ball of energy at the poison type. Which intrigued the hunter unfortunately by the way Naruto had launched it.
"So it forms it above it's mouth and then bites it before launching it, huh?"she thought.
"Dodge it."Drapion dodged the attack with no problems.
Naruto though was starting to feel really out of breath now as steam and smoke plumed from his parted maw. "This ain't good, we gotta finish this quickly."Naruto thought, clenching his fangs to fight back a ripple of pain.
"We're not finished yet, Whispup Resebshuriken!"Ash quickly called.
Naruto knew what Ash was hoping to do as Pikachu flinched and went and scurried up their trainer's jacket and Hinata ducked back inside the bag, again still invisible. It would take the last of his strength but if it hit then this battle was over for the hunter! So with a simple motion his eyes glowed and the jewels left his tails as they were swallowed in razor sharp winds. Now this truly amazed and impressed the hunter by the sheer force this attack was producing as it actually landed a direct hit on her drapion and KO'd it. While the jewels returned to their owner and naruto landed, his legs threaten to give out from him. The only thing keeping him standing was sheer will alone.
"Marvelous! You are worth a fortune!"explained the hunter, pointing the laser gun at Ash's Whispup.
"NARUTO GET OUT OF THERE!"wailed Pikachu and Hinata in fright.
Naruto just manages to get into the air and vanish from sight before landing away from Ash and Pikachu. It frustrated the hunter but using her goggles she spotted him but barely keeping himself on his paws. "You can't get away from me."she stated and fired again. This time it lands, turning him to bronze.
"NARUTO!"wailed Pikachu and Hinata.
"WHISPUP!"shrieked Ash in fright, racing towards him.
"Hmph, so it's called Whispup then. It's fine, I protect my investments kid."the hunter said, motioning for ariados to attack. "Ariados, string shot."
The attack hit but not before Hinata managed to get out of the bag before Ash and Pikachu were pinned to the boulder by the sticky bug type silk. She watched in horror as Naruto was taken away. She let out a snarl as she let her invisibility fall and quickly gave pursuit. They were not gonna take him! No, unlike that day she would succeed in saving him! "Hang in there Naruto I'm coming to get you out of there!"she thought.
At that same time Dawn and Brock had arrived to free Pikachu and Ash. But on the flip side Jessie and James were helpless as Meowth was taken by the hunter too.
Hinata followed them and managed to sneak aboard the air craft as she quickly turned herself invisible again. Now she had to find where Naruto was. She put her eyes to work while staying hidden in the frame work, taking full advantage of her ghost type abilities.
With Ash & Co...
Officer Jenny had arrived unfortunately a moment too late to help Ash and his friends. Jenny went on to explain the poacher was a Pokemon Hunter by the name of "J". Jenny told the group what exactly she did and it infuriated them. But for Ash it made him feel angry at himself as well. He should have called his whispup back into his pokeball even though Ash knew how much it hated it. He shouldn't have let Whispup fight in it's condition...maybe if it had been it full health it could have been able to not only best this J but get away too!
Ash didn't waste a second in resolving to save not only his pokemon but Gardevior as well, eventually calling for a temporary truce with Jessie and James as they too wanted to get Meowth back.
With Hinata...
Hinata spotted the henchman she recognized from before by his scent. Ugh he stunk of motor oil and one too many burritos to her honestly...gross. Determined she flowed him towards a room. She looked through the walls and had to restrain herself from gasping. Inside there was Naruto along with the Gardevior and Team Rocket's Meowth!? Patiently she waited for the creep to go inside then leave. And as he walked by her she ever so quietly slipped inside, fazing through the door as she jumped right through.
"Hey, Meowth?"she whispered.
"What, hey who's there?"yelped the scratch cat in surprise.
Hinata instantly appeared on the desk motioning for him to be quiet, "Shhh!"
"Oh hey, you're Naruto's lady friend aren't yeah?"he whispered, as she nodded his confirmation.
"I-I'm Hinata, I'm here to get you guys out."she spoke. Times like this she thanked Arceus she had such a soft spoken voice.
"That's great, now hurry up and moved that switch down, my neck is killing me here!"pleaded Meowth in hushed tones.
Hinata nodded and first went over and set the normal type free. She didn't like Meowth but she would feel guilty if she just left him here. Soon the glass vanished and Meowth was free. Quickly she went on to free Gardevior and Naruto. Meowth and Hinata both caught Naruto before he could collapse.
"I've got you Naruto-kun, don't worry."she purred.
"Hey easy there, kid don't push yourself too hard."urged Meowth.
Naruto gave a grimace as he reluctantly accepted Meowth's help and leaned into Hinata. The Psychic/Fairy type bent down with a smile at them.
"Thank you for saving me. I'd like to relax and chat but we best get out of here while we can yes?"urged Gardevior in earnest.
"I agree, lets make voltorb and roll out of here!"mewed Meowth.
"Can you walk or fly Naru?"soothed Hinata in concern, offering him support.
"Hmph...y-yes, but not as fast as I like."grunted Naruto.
With haste the four pokemon hurried out of the room with a little help from Gardevior's teleport. As fast as they could go considering one of them was in a great deal of pain and exhaustion they started to look for a way out. Thank Arceus they ran into Ash along with Aipom and Pikachu. Unfortunately poor Jessie and James were being chased around by J's grunts.
"Whispup! Gardevior and wait, is that Meowth with you too?"said Ash in delight.
"Well you guys are safe, now I gotta go find my best buds and vamoose!"said Meowth, racing off.
Ash swiftly picked up his whispu into his arms and hugged him tight, earn a soft tail wag from his friend. "I'm so sorry Whispup, I shouldn't have let you battle when you weren't ready to yet."he apologized, earning many doggy kisses from said ghost fox pokemon.
"It ain't your fault, I was stupid too."chuckled Naruto.
"No kidding, you had us all worried!"said Pikachu.
"At least you're ok, Naruto."agreed Aipom.
Ash quickly put Whispup into his backpack and zipped it up just enough, "You're safe now buddy, so get some rest. And you, thank you for saving them."Ash stroked Hinata behind the ears, earning a pleased purr and a nod of approval from Gardevior.
Unfortunately that's when shit started to hit the fan as Drapion should up along with J without her goggles. Drapion moved to try and catch them but Pikachu was far faster as he volt tackled the brute away from his partner.
"Another whispup and a different colored one at that! That explains how my investments escaped."said J as she walked over from around the corner. "It's unfortunate but I won't be allowing you to leave!"
Hinata snarled as she stood in between the enemy and Ash along with Gardevior, Pikachu, and Aipom.
"How about yes we are leaving!"spat Aipom as the normal type attacked Drapion to allow them an escape route.
"You aren't getting Whispup, J!"snapped Ash as he swiftly let Turtwig out of it's ball to help them.
Hinata though stood in front of the other pokemon, looking truly scary to them. Even to Drapion as her violet eyes flashed white.
"They are mine!"she snarled.
"O-ok!"
Not wanting to argue with one very pissed off fire type Turtwig, Pikachu, Aipom, and even Gardevior made their escape.
Hinata though was beyond furious as her maw bellowed smoke and her steps were actually melting the steel floor under her paws. Suddenly in a frenzy of speed that surprised even the hunter J, she went in and fired a close range fire pledge then followed with a barrage of close combat strikes. Rendering the poison type unable to fight in a very much broken and bloody heap. She snarled as she locked her eyes on J next and proceeded to beat the living daylight out of the hunter.
"NOBODY MESSES WITH MY NARUTO!"she snarled.
Once finished the ghost type growled, and stuck her nose up in the air before vanishing into the vents, leaving a barely conscience and twitching hunter behind. Hinata soon caught up with Ashand Team Rocket whom had also just freed an absol that had been caught by these poachers. Unfortunately a hole in the ship's haul had been made by mistake from the fighting. With haste she hurried over and grabbed a hold of Ash's shoulder as Ash returned Aipom and Turtwig to their balls and set Staravia loose.
"Staravia, go let Officier Jenny where we are!"Starvaia let out a screech and flew off to find Jenny.
Unfortunately that's when shit started going from bad to worse, dangerous even as the group hung for dear life. J had ordered the hanger they were inside to be dropped...WITH THEM STILL INSIDE IT!
"Hold on tight guys!"urged Ash while Jessie was strangling poor Meowth.
"I'm scared..."whimpered Pikachu.
That was then Gaardevior jumped into action and saved their behinds at the last moment thanks to hearing an order from her trainer. Teleporting them all out of there to safety on the ground. Frankly during the entire thing poor Hinata and Naruto were just as frightened but now poor Naruto was out of the backpack and just plain getting air, er fall-from-a-height-that-can-kill-you sick. And poor, poor little heroine Hinata having fainted from the fright of it all as Brock returned the poor thing to her ball.
Everyone was back with the ones they loved, for better or worse. Jenny had arrested and taken away some of the grunts and Team Rocket had made a sneaky escape. Few days later as the gang continued on their journey Naruto had fully recovered and back to his old self as he enjoyed the sounds of chirping bug types that night, happily devouring some of Brock's cooking by the fire.
Next stop Floraroma Town~!
To Be Continued..
-Move Sets Updates-
Naruto: No changes.
Hinata: No changes, but close to learning a new move.