It's been a while, but I finally got the next chapter done. I really, really, really do hope I'll be updating faster now, but I'm sorry to say that I can't make any promises.
Anyhow, thanks to
Wind the Hedgehog 11
MassiveFanGirlAlert
Matsukaze Tenma
Flamefather
WhiteEagle1985
cook563
Darkurai-lovr
Terra1396
for their Reviews.
Sometimes doing this is really annoying, you know. But...needs must. Pokémon never has and never will belong to me. Read and don't forget to Review please.
"It was very close. Had you not brought the egg when you did, it would've died within the next hour", explained Nurse Joy softly.
Ash's eyes widened and he looked back at the dark-grey egg Nurse Joy was cleaning with a soft towel. Lucario was nearby, leaning against the wall. "But it will survive?", asked the teen. At this the Nurse smiled and nodded.
"Luckily we have a lot more equipment for healing eggs than we used to have just a few years ago. While it will not be fully healthy again until its natural colour returns, as long as it is taken good care off, you may take it…tomorrow around noon with you already."
"Really?", asked Ash in surprise, glancing at Lucario who looked shocked as well. Nurse Joy nodded and returned her full attention to the egg. "New for you as well, huh?", asked Ash while he walked over to his mentor.
At this Lucario frowned and answered: "I have found my fair share of dying eggs during my time as Sir Aaron's apprentice. Only two of them ever made it and they barely did, though they were only half as ill as this one. To now learn how…easily such young life can be saved…it's amazing. As terrible as some of the things that happen in this time are…learning this, seeing the care humans and Pokémon hold for their own kind and each other…it fills me with hope." The Aura Guardian gave a soft smile and whispered: "And hope is something we will need plenty of."
Ash smiled at his mentor and placed a hand on Lucario's shoulder. Pokémon and human looked at each other, mutual understanding passing through them and both turned to leave the room. "And?", asked May the second she spotted them. Pikachu and Riolu climbed back on Ash's shoulders and looked at him expectantly as well. Grinning the teen repeated Nurse Joy's words and watched how his friends relaxed.
"So what now?", asked Riolu.
Ash glanced at his Aura Keeper and answered: "Now we go to the harbour, split up and talk to the fishers and captains there about this strange rain. I don't want to leave without that egg, but we can still gather information." A soft chuckle reached him and everyone looked at May.
She smiled and answered: "Sorry, but looking at you now Ash…shows how much you've grown up since you started travelling alone."
Ash smirked back at his Hoenn friend and answered: "I guess I did grow up…a bit."
Both his friends laughed, followed by Ash and Pikachu. Lucario and Riolu merely shared a smile, before the group set out for the Lilycove City harbour. It took them only a few minutes to reach the harbour, but they definitely would have their work cut out for them. Today a lot of boats had just come in and were preparing to ship out again. "Let's split up", offered Max after seeing the many people.
"I suppose that would be the wisest course of action", admitted Lucario.
Ash nodded and turned to the two Aura Pokémon. "Alright with you when you go with May and Max each? We can contact each other easily then." Lucario nodded immediately, walking up to Max. Riolu hesitated a second, then muttered to Pikachu: "If he has one scratch when we meet again…", and leaped to May. Ash chose not to comment on Riolu's comment and Pikachu's snickers for now and looked at his friend.
"If we find nothing, here in an hour again?", asked May. The brunette glanced around, looking tense. Ash understood that to good. He was nervous too. After all they were just teens and asking about a weather phenomenon that occurred all of a sudden wasn't really inconspicuous.
"Sounds good", answered the Kanto-Native and walked off in a random direction.
After walking for a few minutes, he saw something promising. The small ship he found and its crew were soaked in water. Quickly he walked over to the man that was obviously the captain and asked: "Sir?" The man looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Ash scanned him. His pale grey hair was in a ponytail and went till his shoulders. He had obviously not shaved for quite some time and looked quite worn. "Sorry if it's inconvenient but…what happened. This looks like you got into a big storm."
"Why d'ya wanna know kid?", asked the man back with narrowed eyes.
Ash took a step back and assured: "Just curiosity sir, really. I was just taking a walk and…well…your ship stood out."
At this the man grunted and growled: "I got no idea what really happened kid. Believe me, if I'd know…we were just goin' about our business when it's startin' to rain like hell. That weather almost drowned us, I can tell ya that."
Ash blinked, then asked: "And where did that happen."
"Somewhere north, now go away, we got cleaning up to do."
Ash walked off immediately. Obviously the man wasn't too eager to talk about what happened, but at least he got some answer. He moved on, talking to a few more people, but each of the crews he talked to were rather tight-lipped about what happened, preferring to shoo him away.
Obviously being defeated by the weather like that wounded their pride.
"I'm starting to think this if worthless bud", groaned the teen out and leaned against a streetlamp. The hour was almost up and the most information he had was still from the first guy he'd talked to. "Somewhere north, somewhere north! How is that helpful?"
Pikachu placed a paw on his cheek and answered: "Calm down Pikapi. We'll find a way, we always do." Ash looked at his first Pokémon, who grinned back at him. A smile tugged at the teens lip and finally he laughed softly.
"I guess you're right."
"Of course I'm right", answered Pikachu, his nose raised upwards proudly.
That only caused the teen to laugh harder. After a few minutes he'd calmed down and said: "Let's go back to the others. They're-" Ash trailed off when something tugged at his very presence. Confused the teen closed his eyes, to feel the tugging sensation again. It took him a few seconds, before he realised what this meant. Riolu was calling him! Immediately his eyes snapped open and he ran off, letting his Aura Keepers presence guide him.
"What's going on?!", cried Pikachu, who clung to his shoulder.
"Riolu is calling", answered Ash simply, but it was enough of an answer. While the Electric-Type's grip tightened even more, Ash sped up and raced along the harbour, dodging between the many people there.
Suddenly a small explosion sounded through the air.
"What was that?", asked a man.
"Some girl actually accepted Alfred's challenge. Been holding her own for a while now. But I'm pretty sure she won't hold on much longer."
At those words Ash and Pikachu exchanged a glance. He dearly hoped May wasn't that girl. While asking around the harbour he'd heard about Alfred. He was a hard-core sailor with a record of the most brutal duels in the entire city. How this guy had come to challenge May of all people was beyond him through. Riolu's Aura flared against his again and Ash managed to pinpoint it in the crowd that surrounded the battle between Alfred and his opponent. Once he reached it, he already started pushing through the many spectators.
"Excuse me! Pardon me! Sorry! Coming through!", came from the teen continuously while he made his way to the battle. Once he stepped out of the crowd, he groaned.
It was May who was battling Alfred.
Right now the girl had her Blaziken out while Alfred had a Machamp. Both Pokémon were covered in bruises and scratches, but refused to give in. "Give up little girl!", roared the man. "You saw what happens to children who don't respect my property."
Ash heard a groan from his friend and she shouted back: "I already told you, we didn't know it was your property. We were looking for…our friends and Riolu jumped up those crates to see better." Ash blinked at that and looked at Riolu, who stood next to May, looking terribly guilty. Well, he'd heard that Alfred was protective of his things, but this was ridiculous.
"Grrrr, I'll show you. Machamp use Cross Chop!"
His Pokémon shot forward and May shouted: "Blaziken Blaze Kick. Hit low!"
Machamp lashed out at Blaziken. Fortunately for May, Ash realised, neither Alfred nor Machamp were used to battling coordinators. Blaziken's grace and agile movements, courtesy of years of pulling the most complicated and powerful combinations, was throwing them for a loop. Blaziken easily twisted out of the way and dropped to the ground. His leg shot out, catching fire, and he spun. Blaze Kick hit Machamp's ankle hard and hit the Pokémon's leg out from underneath it. It toppled forward and May cried: "Blaziken, use Sky Uppercut now!" Again the watchers and Alfred got a sample of the agility and muscle-control contests required when Blaziken, without even a pause, completed his spin and forced his right arm up. The blue glowing fist collided with Machamp, sending it into the air and back in front of Alfred.
"Great move May!", shouted Ash, not able to help himself. The girl blinked at him, just now realising he was there, before she grinned and returned her attention to the battle.
Riolu rushed over to Ash immediately and latched onto his pants. "I'm so sorry!", exclaimed the Pokémon.
Chuckling Ash picked the small blue Pokémon up and assured: "No one blames you Riolu, you couldn't have known and May is holding her ground pretty well."
"I don't get why that suddenly works", exclaimed the Pokémon while they watched Blaziken easily dancing around Dynamic Punch and retaliating with another Blaze Kick. Curiously Ash noted that the Fire-Fighting-Type continued targeting Machamp's right leg. "A few minutes ago Machamp wiped the floor with Blaziken."
"That's easy to explain", argued Pikachu.
"Really?"
Ash nodded, but allowed Pikachu to do the explaining. "May's a coordinator, so she needs to change her battle-style every time she's not in a contest. She wasn't used to Alfred's battling style at all, so she and Blaziken were out of their element for a while. But now that she got used to it, she can use her contest tactics. And look at this guy. He definitely has no idea what's going on."
Again Blaze Kick hit Machamp's ankle, followed by a second one in the gut. Once more the grey Pokémon was thrown back in front of its trainer. "The girl might even win this!", exclaimed on of the spectators. Ash narrowed his eyes. He wasn't so sure of that. Sure, May held on right now, but Blaziken didn't look good. From what Ash could tell, he was only slightly better than Machamp, who stood again already.
"Now I had enough! Finish this Machamp! Use Giga Impact!"
Ash cursed under his breath, but was surprised when May and Blaziken stayed calm. Machamp roared and disappeared within pink-yellow-white light. It started to run, when it suddenly cried out and staggered to the ground. Ash's eyes widened when Blaziken's constant attacks on Machamp's ankle came back to him. And truly, Machamp crouched on the ground, holding its injured ankle.
"Now Blaziken! Give it all you got! Use Overheat!" Blaziken reared up, an orange glow covering his body. He opened his beak and Ash saw flames licking at the back of the Pokémon's throat. With a loud cry Blaziken released the powerful Fire-Type-Move. It hit Machamp straight on and once it faded the Fire-Fighting-Type fell onto one knee. That wasn't much of a problem though, because in front of Alfred lay an unmoving, badly charred Machamp.
"Machamp!", exclaimed the man.
"Yes! Blaziken you did it!" May rushed forward, hugging her first Pokémon tightly. Blaziken grinned and hugged the girl back. Suddenly Ash's eyes widened and his head snapped to Alfred. The man rushed forward, hatred bright in his eyes.
"May look out!"
May and Blaziken spun to Alfred, only to see him almost upon them already. Both clenched their eyes shut and Ash cursed again. He was too far away and Pikachu couldn't help anymore either. That was when another presence brushed against his own. Immediately he relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.
And truly, not a second before Alfred's punch hit his friends, Lucario appeared between them, easily catching the attack. The Pokémon allowed it some leeway, before he tensed and leaned forward. Alfred's momentum helped him in forcing the man into the air and with a complicated looking move, the man was sent sailing through the air, right on top of his Machamp. Pokémon and trainer groaned in pain when they collided, but no one paid them any mind.
Ash, much like Max, rushed up to May and Blaziken, who were checked over by Lucario already. "Are you two alright?", asked the teen.
May nodded and answered: "Thanks to Lucario. I can't believe this guy. First he more or less forces me to battle him and now he's such a sore loser."
Riolu lowered his head again and Ash groaned: "For the last time Riolu, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known this guy would react like that for you climbing a few crates."
"But-", began the Pokémon, when a deeper voice cut in: "Ash is correct Riolu. What happened here is by no means you fault."
Ash blinked at Lucario, who raised an eyebrow. He wouldn't talk with telepathy in such a public place, but that was what shocked Ash so much. He'd understood Lucario although the Pokémon had spoken in his native tongue. "Ash?", asked May. The teen blinked and shook his head.
"Sorry, it's nothing." He couldn't very well explain that he understood Lucario right now.
His friends looked sceptical, but didn't push him.
"How dare you!" The group looked up, to find a sailor standing in front of Alfred.
"How dare we what?", asked Ash back.
"How dare you attack Alfred like that?! Get those Pokémon of yours under control!"
"Wait, what?! Your just so great Alfred tried to attack my friend and her injured Pokémon when he lost a fair battle. Lucario had every right to interfere." The man growled and stalked forward. Ash narrowed his eyes and felt a warning pulsing against his aura. He gave Lucario a slight nod and made no move when the man stood in front of him. "Yes, may I help you?", asked the teen finally.
The man went red.
"You and me are going to battle kid! I'll make you pay for your girlfriend embarrassing Alfred."
Ash raised an eyebrow and answered: "If May could beat the strongest sailor here, do you really think it's wise of you to challenge someone who's been a trainer longer than her?" He completely disregarded the girlfriend-remark, also missing May turning red at it. The present Pokémon didn't though and shared smirks.
"We'll see if you still have such a big mouth once I'm done with you. A three on three battle. One against one. If you're up to it."
"Bring it!", answered Ash.
"Ash", warned Lucario.
The teen glanced at his mentor and muttered: "This guy won't let us leave without a battle Lucario. But I'll gladly let you take his first Pokémon." The jackal tilted his head in contemplation, before he nodded and jumped in front of Ash. The sailor scanned Lucario, before he threw a Pokéball by himself.
"GO!" And with a great roar, a Gyarados appeared. Ash sighed deeply. Figures the time he doesn't use Pikachu, his opponent would use a monster like that. "Ready kid?"
"After you!", shouted Ash back. Lucario slid into a slight fighting-stance, ready to act at a moment's notice.
"Gyarados into the water!"
The snake-like Pokémon roared, before diving into the sea. Its trainer raced along the pier and Ash sighed: "Well, let's go after them." He and Lucario ran on, soon reaching the end of the pier where Gyarados could come up anywhere. "Trying for stealth, are we?", asked the teen.
The sailor grinned at him and answered: "You got no chance kid. Gyarados use Twister!" Lucario and Ash remained calm, then the Pokémon suddenly spun around.
"Dodge!"
Lucario backflipped away, just in time to dodge Gyarados' Twister. "What…how did you dodge?!"
"Oh, don't you know? Lucario can sense Aura. No matter where Gyarados hides, he'll find it…Now Lucario, locate Gyarados, then use Dragon Pulse."
Lucario closed his eyes, his bangs rising. It took only a second before he leaped into the air, a Dragon Pulse gathering between his paws. Thrusting his arms forward, the Dragon Pulse shot into the ocean. Only a second later the water rippled and Gyarados came up with a roar, shaking its head. "Now Shadow Claw." Lucario landed on the ground and sprinted forward, his Shadow Claw flickering into existence. With a great leap, the jackal was right in front of Gyarados, lashing out at the Pokémon. Gyarados, after a few slashes, started bucking and flailing and Lucario had spin to the side to not be hit with the Pokémon's tail.
"Gyarados use Twister again!"
Twister shot forward once more and Lucario easily side-stepped the attack. "Now Hydro Pump!" Once again Lucario side-stepped the attack. "Hydro Pump again, keep going!"
"What the, what is he planning", wondered Ash while he watched how Lucario expertly dodged the continuous assault. After a few minutes Gyarados stopped, revealing a water-covered pier. "What in the world…"
"Now Flame Thrower!"
"Dodge!" Lucario shot forward, only for Ash to receive a flash of shock from the Pokémon. "Lucario?!"
"The water Ash! He soaked the pier so I'll start slipping!", answered the Pokémon, and as if to proof his point, slithered over the pier, barely evading the Flame Thrower and falling of the pier.
"Dammit, fine then. Let's go offensive. Use Flash Cannon Lucario!" Lucario drew his paws back, gathering a sphere of light, before the beam shot towards Gyarados.
"Flame Thrower!" Gyarados answered with the Fire-Type move. The two attacks collided and exploded.
"Into the smoke Lucario, then use Dragon Pulse."
Lucario leaped forward, somehow managing not to fall, though Ash caught a short flash of embarrassment in the Fighting-Steel-Types Aura. Apparently Lucario had slipped. "Gyarados use Twister to blow the smoke away."
"Lucario hurry!" Gyarados drew its head back, ready to deliver the attack, but Lucario was faster. Three turquoise spheres shot from the smoke and into Gyarados' mouth. There they collided with the starting twister and exploded. Gyarados roared in pain and Ash shouted: "Now use Aura Sphere Lucario, finish this!" Lucario shot out of the smoke, the familiar azure sphere appeared between his paws, before he shot it at Gyarados. The Pokémon was still busy trying to get its bearings after having four Dragon-Type-Moves explode in its mouth and the sphere hit its cheek.
Gyarados roared again, before it slumped forward and landed halfway on the pier, definitely knocked out. "Gyarados!", shouted the sailor.
"Yes! Great Job Lucario!", cheered Ash.
The Pokémon nodded and took a deep breath, calming himself, before he walked over to Ash. Then he smirked and said: "Don't think I didn't realise why you stared at me before." Here the smirk morphed into a proud smile. "You are doing great Ash. I'm proud to call myself your mentor." Ash blinked at the Aura Guardian, then he couldn't help but grin at the Pokémon.
"Thanks Lucario." Lucario nodded and moved to stand beside him.
"We aren't done yet kid, so quit celebrating!" Ash returned his attention to the sailor, who threw another Pokéball. "Go Hitmonlee!" The brown Fighting-Type appeared and gave a few kicks, before taking a fighting-stance.
Lucario tilted his head and scanned the Pokémon, before he stated: "It relies on raw power more than anything and from what I can tell doesn't have much defence. A rather pathetic kind of its species actually."
Ash was so glad that Lucario had only talked loud enough for him to hear that, or he'd have to worry about a pissed of Hitmonlee now. "Alright then, Wartortle I chose you!" He threw a Pokéball and his trusty Water-Type appeared.
"Ready when you are boss", called the Pokémon, grinning at him. Ash rolled his eyes fondly and caught Lucario raising a curious eyebrow. It was true he had a Pokémon that might've been a better match-up for Hitmonlee, but he wanted to hold him back a little longer.
"Hitmonlee start this off with Vacuum Wave!" Hitmonlee gave a grunt and leaped into the air. Wind started to gather around it and the Pokémon curled up. Then Hitmonlee straightened in a flash and the wave shot out in every direction.
"Rapid Spin Wartortle!" "You got it!"
The turtle disappeared in his shell and shot forward, clashing with the Vacuum Wave. For a few seconds they pushed against each other, but then Wartortle was forced back and disappeared in the water. Hitmonlee landed, though it staggered slightly due to the ground still being soaked. Realisation came from Lucario and Ash grinned. Yep, Wartortle wouldn't have the slightest trouble on this battle-ground. The same couldn't be said for Hitmonlee though. "Rapid Spin Wartortle, hit it!"
And on Hitmonlee's left, Wartortle burst out of the water, hitting the Pokémon's side. After the attack, Wartortle flipped back to Ash, landing on front of him without much trouble. "Now Wartortle use Water Pulse!" Wartortle opened his mouth, a sea-blue sphere gathering there, before it shot forward, hitting Hitmonlee straight.
The Pokémon staggered back, before the sailor ordered: "Use High Jump Kick!"
"Rapid Spin Wartortle!" Once again the Water-Type retreated into his shell and started to spin. High-Jump kick hit and once again Wartortle was pushed into the water. Hitmonlee staggered backwards, again almost slipping on the water. "Wartortle Water Pulse, now!"
Wartortle shot out of the water on Hitmonlee's right. The Pokémon looked a bit worse for wear already, but Ash knew Wartortle had gone through worse. He'd hold on. The blue sphere hit Hitmonlee and sent it skidding backwards. Wartortle retreated for another Rapid Spin and returned to Ash's side. "Hitmonlee close Combat, finish this already." Hitmonlee rushed forward, to have everyone blink. The Pokémon used Close Combat, alright. Only it used it at nothing. "What in the world?", exclaimed the sailor.
Then it hit Ash.
"Of course! Water Pulse has the chance of confusing the target", exclaimed the teen. Then Hitmonlee already managed to hit itself. "Wartortle Hydro Pump, quick!" Wartortle nodded and took a deep breath, before the powerful Water-Type move rushed forward. It hit Hitmonlee straight and sent the Pokémon into the sea. "Uh oh…Wartortle pull it out!"
Whether Hitmonlee was out already or not he didn't know, but if it wasn't, it was still confused and Ash didn't want to cause any harm.
"You got it boss", called Wartortle and jumped. "Rapid Spin rescue!" And he disappeared in the water.
"What…was that?", asked Lucario the teen.
Ash glanced at the bewildered Pokémon and answered: "That was Wartortle." Lucario raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment since Wartortle was already back on dry land and dropped a knocked out Hitmonlee crudely in front of its trainer. "Great work Wartortle", praised Ash, patting the turtle's shell once he was back with him. Wartortle snorted and waved him off.
"Not much of a challenge that one boss. That was nothing."
Ash chuckled at that, before he turned back to the sailor. The man was red-faced by now and with a cry he threw a Net Ball into the air. It snapped open, releasing a blue coloured duck-like creature with a red gem on the forehead. "Alright Wartortle, you did great. Take a break."
"But-"
Ash smirked down at his Water-Type and said: "I know you could take it. But I want to give someone else a chance too. You understand that, right?"
Wartortle blinked once, then nodded and walked over to stand with Lucario. Grabbing a Pokéball, Ash took a deep breath. Then…
"Let's go, Kirlia!"
In a flash of light his male Kirlia appeared, landing without much difficulty on the still water-covered pier. That was one of the reasons Ash had chosen him. Kirlia wouldn't have much trouble on the soaked ground considering he could teleport.
That's more of a battle than I'd previously planned with this chapter, but I kind of like it. It also Shows Wartortle's personality rather well, nto to mention Ash's progress with Aura and the fact that he indeed did grow up...a bit ;)