Chapter 35: The Sewaddle Gets Us Lost!
"So, we walk through that forest until we get there?" Ash asked. "Pika Pika?" Pikachu asked. "Wow... It's huge!" Iris pointed out in amazement. "Axew..." Axew agreed, seeing many trees around the forest. Takeru folded his arms with a small nod as Riolu was in his arms.
"It's the Pinwheel Forest!" Cilan pointed out. The Kanto trainer grew confused of the name of it. "So why is it called that?" Ash asked. "Well... Here's the thing... As long as we just walk straight through it, getting to the exit will be an easy job." Takeru explained.
"Right! And not only that, if we wander, we could find ourselves in a natural maze!" Cilan added. That seemed to tap onto Ash as he gave a cautious nod. "Whoa... We better be careful, then..." Ash said, feeling nervous. "That's the idea, alright..." Takeru agreed, folding his arms.
Iris smiled, making her assurance to the group. "There's no way we're getting lost. I happen to be a forest expert!" Iris explained. Both Ash and Takeru turned, as the Kanto trainer smiled at her courage. "You're pretty sure of yourself, Iris!" Ash chuckled. "Pika!" Pikachu smirked.
"So, the question is... Will this path lead us out of here? Or do we get lose in the maze?" Cilan asked. "Let's just make sure we stick to the first answer... Taking the path that leads us out of here..." Takeru answered. "That means... Going straight." Riolu added.
The Nuvema boy chuckled, ruffling his Emanation Pokémon's head with a smile. "That's right!" Takeru chuckled, as Riolu growled in content. "Well then... Let's go check and see!" Ash called. "Pikachu!" Pikachu cried out in agreement. With that said, the group headed into the Pinwheel Forest.
None of them noticed, however, that someone was keeping an eye on them. The figure gave a narrowed eye to the group before taking off into the forest to keep an eye out on the four trainers and their Pokémon.
(Pokémon: BW Best Wishes Opening: Be An Arrow! (English Subbed))
(Ash, Takeru, Cilan, and Iris are running with Pikachu, Riolu, Pansage, and Axew, with colorful arrows flying above them as they ran to a light!)
One swiftly running arrow!
(A blue pillar and orange pillar appears, showing Ash and Pikachu, with Takeru and Riolu)
One supple arrow!
(A purple pillar appears, showing Iris and Axew)
One thinking arrow!
(A yellow green pillar appears, showing Cilan)
That's us now!
(Ash, Takeru, Cilan, and Iris stand together as they move towards the air together)
Cross the green mountain, remove the white clouds
(The Japanese opening appears)
Let's colorfully push through the wilderness, become an arrow!
(A group of wild Pokémon from the five regions run or fly along)
Even if we suddenly turn around, twist, and shake
(Ash, Cilan, Takeru, and Iris are running alongside with the Water Type Pokémon on the sea)
(Meloetta suddenly appears, snatching Ash's hat from his head)
There's no way that we'll get separated!
(In Prof. Oak's laboratory, all of Ash's Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh were there; Charizard gives a thumbs up to the screen)
Sometimes I can no longer see the road, and don't know where to go
(Ash and Takeru were stopped by giant pillars, blocking their way)
But you will always be by my side!
(Pikachu and Riolu appears, with Pikachu using Thunderbolt, while Riolu uses Aura Sphere)
(Both trainers and Pokémon smile happily at each other)
Even the bright sun is hidden by the clouds sometimes
(Keldeo, Cobalion, Virizion, and Terrakion stands together on top of an ice)
(Kyurem appears, turning into either Black or White Kyurem)
But meetings will always bring light!
(Cynthia and Alder smile at the four trainers standing at the bottom)
(Hikaru and Dawn comes by, with Infernape using Flamethrower, as Piplup uses Hydro Pump)
(Jessie, James, and Meowth let out evil smirks)
One too hot arrow!
(Stephan and Sawk pose together, standing together)
Two competitive arrows!
(Trip and Servine appears together after the dust clears)
Three helpful arrows!
(Bianca comes by with Pignite, as the two fall together)
So the heart will never break!
(Trip, Dawn, Hikaru, Iris, Ash, Takeru, Cilan, Bianca, and Stephan stand together with their Pokémon partners)
Aim forward as an arrow!
(Everyone shoots in the air, towards the sky)
Shine greater than even now as an arrow!
Thrust toward your dream!
(Everyone combines together, creating a huge arrow, shooting towards the building)
(Takeru, Ash, Cilan, and Iris all stand together with all of their current Pokémon)
(Ash: Pikachu, Oshawott, Snivy, Tepig, Pidove, Scraggy)
(Takeru: Riolu, Tranquill, Tepig, Joltik, Zorua, Petilil)
(Iris: Axew and Excadrill)
(Cilan: Pansage and Dwebble)
(Opening ends)
"It's so nice being in a lush forest!" Iris grunted, stretching her arms in the air. "The air is so fresh, and the sunlight is so bright, that this forest must be home to amazing Pokémon!" Cilan guessed. "I'm guessing lots of Grass and Bug Types live here..." Takeru stated.
Ash smirked, before turning to his Electric Type partner. "I hope we can come across a whole bunch of them!" Ash exclaimed. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu agreed. But suddenly, everyone was in for a surprise. A little Pokémon swung by, kicking Pikachu out of Ash's right shoulder!
Angry at this, the Electric Type glared at the swinging Pokémon and shot a Thunderbolt at it! The attack missed the Bug Type and hit Ash instead! Ash yelled as the electricity zapped him hard, startling Takeru, Iros, and Cilan, along with Pikachu and Riolu!
As the Kanto trainer tried to recover, the Bug Type shot into the air, launching several Razor Lead attacks! Pikachu yelped as he backflipped, dodging all of the sharp leaves. But as he landed, the Pokémon shot a String Shot at him, kicking him once again.
"What the!? What is this!?" Takeru yelped, glaring at the Pokémon. "That just came out of nowhere!" Riolu barked, annoyed with the sudden appearance. Ash groaned, getting up from the attack he took. As he turned, the Bug Type used his teeth, biting Pikachu several times.
The Electric Type flailed, seeing it ticklish and painful at the same time. "It's using Bug Bite!" Cilan pointed out in shock. "Come on, Pikachu! Shake it off!" Ash cried. Immediately, the Electric Type managed to shake the little Pokémon off, causing it to flip backwards.
"Are you okay, Pikachu?" Ash asked. "Pikachu!" Pikachu called back, smiling with a nod. "Who's that Pokémon?" Ash asked, taking out his Pokédex. "It's a Sewaddle!" Takeru answered in amazement. Ash's Pokédex opened as he scanned the Pokémon Sewaddle.
"Sewaddle, the Sewing Pokémon. Sewaddle hides from its enemies by covering its head with a hood made from a leaf, and is known to eat its leafy clothing when food is scarce." Ash's Pokédex buzzed. Riolu grumbled in annoyance as he turned to Takeru.
"What did it attack us for, anyway? Or Pikachu, I mean?" Riolu asked. "That's what I'd like to know..." Takeru agreed. "Sewaddle is popular among clothing designers, because they know how to design and make their clothing out of leaves!" Cilan explained.
"And that's just part of why they're so cute!" Iris giggled. The Nuvema boy face palmed, turning to Iris and Cilan. "Can we go back to the subject and question on why it had suddenly attacked Ash and Pikachu?" Takeru reminded, turning back to Sewaddle.
The Kanto trainer didn't seem to mind as he smirked. He took out an empty Pokéball, preparing to catch it. "I like a Pokémon who's strong! So I'm going to catch it!" Ash called. But suddenly, as he mentioned catch, Sewaddle quickly turned, shooting a mass full of String Shot at Ash!
The Kanto trainer screamed as he was wrapped around by String Shot. Everyone grew shocked as Ash tried to stand. His whole main body was covered by the mass full of String Shot attacks he took, which made it harder for him to stand straight.
"Argh... Yeah! You're good, Sewaddle! I like you even more!" Ash called. "But why would it attack us?" Iris asked. The Nuvema boy sighed, thinking over it. "Don't ask me... Is it because we're invading its territory?" Takeru guessed, unsure of the real reason.
"Maybe it just likes to battle!" Cilan guessed along. Riolu blinked to see Sewaddle getting frustrated and determined to win a battle. "It's saying that it refuses to be caught by a human like Ash, big bro." Riolu translated, looking up at his human brother.
"I can see that by the look of the expression on its face." Takeru chuckled nervously. As he looked back down, Pikachu managed to free his trainer and partner from the String Shot ball with Iron Tail. "Hey thanks, Pikachu!" Ash thanked. "Pikachu!" Pikachu replied with a smile.
The Kanto trainer then turned back to Sewaddle, preparing his attack. "Pikachu! It's time to use Thunderbolt!" Ash called. Nodding with a smirk, the Electric Type shot into the air and shocked Sewaddle with a Thunderbolt attack, much to Sewaddle's shock.
It was slammed against the tree, before it recovered. It used String Shot on the tree branches to swing itself into other branches, escaping from the battle and the four humans along with their two Pokémon. "It's getting away! Sewaddle, come back here!" Ash shouted.
"Ash, oh no!" Iris gasped. "He's going off the path!" Cilan cried in surprise. Takeru frowned before he made his suggestion. "We have no choice. We have to catch up to him now!" Takeru called. "Right!" Iris and Cilan agreed together. Riolu nodded along with a nod.
So, the three attempted to run after Ash and Pikachu, trying to catch up to him. But as they ran, Takeru blinked, feeling a presence. He turned around, only to hear the wind, blowing the leaves and the forest around. "Hey, Riolu... Did you hear that?" Takeru asked.
"Yeah... Someone was watching us." Riolu agreed, narrowing his eyes. The Emenation Pokémon looked around to see whether a small aura was around, only to find nothing. "I don't sense anyone around... It must've been the wind." Riolu responded.
Suddenly, the Nuvema boy sweat dropped, realizing what he had just done. "Oh no... Iris!? Cilan!?" Takeru called, turning around in panic. Much to his despair, no answer came, as silence was the only answer that came to him. This made Takeru very worried.
"You have got to be kidding... Now we're separated from each other!" Takeru groaned, face palming. Riolu gulped, shivering a little. "Big bro, are we lost?" Riolu asked. "I don't know... But we both know we can't go back to the path we were just on." Takeru sighed.
He looked around, hoping for any sign of his friends. "Yep... We're lost..." Takeru grunted, face palming once again. He slowly walked around with Riolu to find the others, hoping to catch up to them. He didn't notice again that a pair of eyes were watching him and Riolu.
Meanwhile...
Sewaddle was swinging around the forest, escaping from his pursuers. For Ash and Pikachu, they ran as fast as they could, as they tried to catch up to the Sewing Pokémon. "Hey! Come back here!" "Pikachu!" The two shouted together, calling for Sewaddle.
However, as they ran faster, Ash tripped, causing him to yelp and fall to the ground. "GAH!" Ash yelped, falling onto his face. "Pika Pi!?" Pikachu gasped, running back for his trainer. Cilan and Iris managed to catch up to the two, where they saw Ash lying down.
"Ash!" "You okay?" Cilan and Iris called. The Kanto trainer groaned, getting up. "I'm fine, I'm fine... Sewaddle?!" Ash started, then gasped, looking up. As he looked up, Sewaddle was nowhere to be seen as the Connoisseur sighed in disappointment.
"Looks like Sewaddle got away..." Cilan stated. "Pika..." Pikachu groaned. Iris frowned, putting her hands on her hips. "Now what do we do, Ash?" Iris asked. The Kanto trainer got up, sighing. "I want to keep looking for Sewaddle, but I don't know..." Ash sighed.
"Remember, this forest is a natural maze like we've never seen! It's too dangerous!" Cilan explained. Ash groaned, as he admitted that his a Connoisseur friend was right. "You're right... We better get back on the path..." Ash sighed, slumping down.
He then blinked, seeing that someone was missing. "But, hold on! Where did Takeru go?" Ash asked. Cilan and Iris widened their eyes as they turned to see that the Nuvema boy and the Emanation Pokémon was missing. "Wait, what!?" Iris shrieked.
"I swear, he was just following us a few minutes ago!" Cilan assured. "Hey, Takeru! Where did you go!?" "Pika Pika!" Ash and Pikachu called out together. "Riolu! Takeru! Can either of you hear us?" Iris called. "Ax Axew!" Axew cried out in Iris' hair.
When they didn't get any answers, they all grew worried. "Man... What could've happened to them?" Ash asked, concerned. "Maybe Takeru took the lead by heading for the exit!" Iris guessed, thinking it over. "You could be right... He was still at the path..." Cilan agreed.
"Okay. Let's go!" Ash called. So, the three trainers went off ahead to find an exit for the forest so that they could meet up with their Nuvema boy friend and Riolu. What they didn't know was that their friend wasn't at the path... He was lost, as well.
Back to Takeru...
"This is getting bothersome..." Takeru groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "Big bro... Maybe Tranquill can help us!" Riolu suggested as the Nufema boy blinked. "Of course! Tranquill can fly in the sky to see higher places!" Takeru laughed a little.
He took out his Wild Pigeon's Pokéball, and summoned him. "Tranquill, I need your help!" Takeru called. The evolved Flying Type appeared, seeing his trainer and Riolu. "Tranquill, could you look up high to see where the exit of the forest is?" Takeru asked.
"Tran!" Tranquill chirped as he flew up. The Flying Type flew above the trees, looking around. Unfortunately, he couldn't find an exit, but multiples of trees covering the ground! It was harder to see an open ground when all the trees were blocking his sight.
He sadly flew down, shaking his head. "Tranquill..." The Wild Pigeon Pokémon chirped sadly. "Nothing, huh? Thanks for the help anyway, Tranquill." Takeru thanked sadly. He returned Tranquill back to his Pokéball, before sighing. "Not much we could but search around." Takeru stated.
"Uh huh..." Riolu sighed, shivering a little. The Nuvema boy carried on his search with Riolu in his arms. Suddenly, a wind blew to him and his Emanation Pokémon, alerting him of a presence. "Who's there!?" Takeru called, turning around, feeling cautious.
Riolu got ready to battle, until they realized no one was around. The wind stopped as the Nuvema boy frowned. "This isn't just a normal wind... Someone is watching us..." Takeru assured as Riolu looked around. "I thought I sensed it too, big bro." Riolu added.
Takeru nodded and continued on walking. Suddenly, he blinked before jumping back. "WHOA!" Takeru yelped as he jumped back. The little Fighting Type yelped, confused on why his human brother jumped back when he heard a metallic sound.
CLANG!
Riolu shrieked a little before he looked down. Right in front of the Nuvema Town and himself was a metal trap that could be used to capture a little Pokémon or to injure a target. "Big bro Takeru... What is this?" Riolu asked, frightened of the metal object.
Takeru went closer to see that the object had already been activated but failed to capture him or Riolu. "This is... a poacher trap! These things are used to capture Pokémon!" Takeru growled. He stomped on the object angrily, nearly breaking it, but only made a dent of it.
Suddenly, glowing leaves came to their way, as Takeru dodged it, while being knocked to the ground. "Argh!" "Ah!" Takeru and Riolu yelped as they fell to the ground. The sudden attack had destroyed the trap the Nuvema boy had a made a dent on.
"What was that!?" Riolu cried in shock. "Magical Leaf... So it must've come from a Pokémon..." Takeru grunted. "Til! Petilil!" A cry called, getting the Nuvema duo's attention. As they looked, they spotted a small Pokémon that looked like a bulb, but a moving bulb.
"Petilil! Petilil!" The little Grass Type cried. "A Petilil?" Takeru replied, taking out his Pokédex. "Petilil, the Bulb Pokémon. Petilil prefer living in rich, fertile soil where all types of plants grow in abundance." Takeru's Pokédex buzzed. "But why would it attack us?" Takeru asked.
"Tilil! Petilil!" Petilil cried, hopping over the two. "Petilil only did it so it could stop us from getting hurt from the poacher device." Riolu explained as the Nuvema boy blinked. "Hate to burst your bubble, Petilil... But the trap was already used and destroyed." Takeru chuckled.
The Bulb Pokémon sighed before it looked around. "Til! Petilil!" Petilil explained. "She says that there are Pokémon poachers around, trying to capture many Pokémon here, including her. She only managed to stay out of the poacher's sight, though..." Riolu translated.
"So there are poachers here... Tch. Idiots." Takeru grunted, folding his arms, annoyed. Petilil blinked and cocked her head in confusion. "She asks, what do you have against poachers." Riolu translated again, as the Nuvema boy sighed, folding his arms.
"They torture Pokémon, they capture it without mercy... What other reason could be there to hate them?" Takeru asked, frowning. That seemed to make Petilil understand as she gave a small nod. "But what are you doing out here, Petilil?" Takeru inquired.
"Til... Petilil!" Petilil explained as Riolu translated it again. "She's trying to find the guardian of the forest here..." Riolu explained. "Guardian... of the Forest?" The Nuvema boy repeated in surprise. "Til..." Petilil responded with sparkly eyes and a happy sigh.
"She says that the guardian of this forest is the strongest Pokémon that she's ever seen so far. She believes it as the queen of the forest. The guardian would always protect Pokémon from bad guys, like humans." Riolu explained. The Nuvema boy sweat dropped at that.
"But... I'm a human... And you never see me doing what those poachers have done..." Takeru reminded with a nervous chuckle. "Petilil... Petilil..." Petilil replied, checking over the Nuvema boy's body. Riolu smiled before turning to his human brother.
"She believes it now since you don't seem to be hostile, and you don't seem to have capture nets and thorns, big bro." Riolu explained as Takeru smiled. "Of course... I'm one of the humans who loves Pokémon!" Takeru explained with a smile.
They didn't notice the same figure was spying on the three. The figure watched Takeru very carefully. She narrowed her eyes, still suspicious about the human being in the forest. It was time to see whether he's capable of surviving in Pinwheel Forest or not.
Back to Ash...
"Oopsy-oops..." Iris gulped. While trying to find the exit and Takeru at the same time, Iris took the lead, believing that the forest is telling her to make the turns. The Kanto trainer seemed interested while the Connoisseur didn't believe in it, much to Iris' annoyance.
So, she tried to lead the two boys to the exit following the forest's voice, only to end up at a dead end, in front of a cliff. "Forest's voice, huh?" Ash asked, not believing it this time. Iris gulped, trying to reason with his two disbelieving friends.
"Uh... The forest told us to come here, because... It wanted to show us, this magnificent scenery!" Iris lied, as Ash sweat dropped. "Come again?" Ash asked. "Whatever you say, Iris." Cilan sighed, not getting this. The Connoisseur looked around, frowning.
"It looks like what they say about this forest is true! We got off the path for one second, and now we're lost! And Takeru is nowhere to be seen, along with Riolu. The nature girl then had an idea. "The best thing to do at times like this is to get to higher grounds and see where we are!" Iris declared.
"Higher grounds?" Ash repeated in question. "Right! Over there!" Iris called. The group all turned to see a gigantic tree up ahead. It seemed to be the biggest tree out of all the trees in the forest. The Connoisseur smiled, getting the idea.
"She's right! We,ll be able to see things from the top of that tree!" Cilan exclaimed. "Let's go, then!" Iris called. So, with that decided, the group decided to find Takeru and the exit by heading over to the gigantic tree up ahead. As they got there, they were all amazed.
"Pika..." "Whoa..." Ash and Pikachu replied in awe. "What an enormous tree!" Ash pointed out in amazement. Iris nodded and ran towards it. "I'll go check it out!" Iris called. She jumped onto the tree and began climbing onto it. Ash grinned, running after her.
"Wait! I'm coming!" Ash called. Cilan smiled, seeing the two climbing up. "You be careful!" Cilan warned. While Iris managed to climb up the tree easily, Pikachu was able to do the same, while the Kanto trainer was having a bit of trouble.
He slid back down on his first try, but managed to get up to the top on his second try. Soon, both trainers were nearly at the top of the tree. "What's up?" Ash asked, catching up to the nature girl. Iris frowned, before looking at the scenery. "Maybe we should climb a bit higher..." Iris suggested.
"Well then? Let's go!" Ash called. But suddenly, as the two looked up, they gasped, along with Pikachu and Axew! There was something hanging onto a tree branch, while the object was wrapped up by some kind of leaf-like fabric. "What is that thing?" Iris asked, nervous.
Hearing them yelp, Cilan called out to the two. "Hey! You guys alright?" Cilan called. "Uh... There's something weird up here!" Ash responded, leaving Cilan confused. "Something weird?" The Connoisseur repeated. Before they could respond back, the object opened up!
Ash, Iris, Pikachu, and Axew cried out in shock to see a man falling towards the branch they're on. The man shushed the four with a sly smile on his face. "You don't want to scare the forest Pokémon now, do you?" The man asked. At this, both Ash and Iris blinked together in confusion.
The same was said for Pikachu and Axew, as they were more confused than their trainers. Soon, everyone was back at the ground, right in front of the trees. "I don't get it... What are you doing up there?" Ash asked, confused with the man.
"I surround myself with nature by living like a forest Pokémon!" The man answered. "But, what do you do that for?" Iris asked. "Hm... If I tell you, will you understand? It's my... pure heart. That's what it is!" The man answered smoothly.
That made the three trainers even more curious and confused. "Really? Your pure heart? Wow..." Cilan asked, amazed. The man chuckled, before taking a deep breath. He opened his eyes, explaining his reason for being in the Pinwheel Forest.
"I draw... I design... Pictures... Clothes... Honestly, I'm a super talented artist!" The man explained. "A true genius, who is stuck in a slump..." The man sighed, frowning. "Oh... So even geniuses go through slumps?" Iris asked. "Shh!" Cilan shushed, warning the nature girl.
As the girl quieted down, the man turned, smiling at the three trainers. "Of course! That's why I get some real inspiration if I lived down here among the forest Pokémon!" The man added. "And... That's why you've got a pure heart?" Ash inquired. "Pika Pika?" Pikachu asked along.
"That's it! A pure heart makes a profound art!" The man shouted. "Okay..." Ash, Iris, and Cilan replied in unison. Once the explanation was done, the man cleared his throat, turning to the group. "I've talked enough about me! So! What are you all doing in a place like this?" The man asked.
"Well... We strayed off the path and got lost!" Cilan explained. The man smiled in understanding as he nodded. "I see... Have no fear! I can guide you out of here! But since you are here, why don't you enjoy living in the forest for a while?" The man suggested.
Ash seemed to want to object to that idea. "The thing is, I want to go to Castelia City and challenge he Gym! Other than that, we're trying to find a friend of ours here that we separated with..." Ash explained. The man jumped onto one of the giant tree roots and gave a laugh.
"Ha! It's useless to go there now!" The man reminded, confusing Ash. "Huh?" was the only word Ash could say, until the man introduced himself of who he really was. "After all, the Castelia Gym Leader, Burgh, just happens to be me!" Burgh explained.
The group let out shocks and gasps, until Cilan composed himself. "So you're telling us, that you're Burgh!? The world famous Bug Type Pokémon Trainer!?" Cilan exclaimed in shock. Burgh laughed at that, before he corrected the Connoisseur with style.
"I'm not just any Bug Type trainer! I'm an artistic trainer!" Burgh declared, causing the group to sweat drop. Once Burgh had said his introduction, the three trainers introduced themselves. "I'm Ash Ketchum! Glad to meet you! And this is Pikachu!" Ash explained.
He introduced himself and his Electric Type, causing Pikachu to greet the Castelia Gym Leader. "Pikachu!" Pikachu cried out. "Hi there! I'm Iris!" Iris replied. "And I'm Cilan! A Pokémon Connoisseur!" Cilan replied, bowing down. Burgh smiled, seeing the three together.
"Pokémon trainers traveling together in expanding horizons! But didn't you say you had a friend you were looking for?" Burgh asked as the Kanto trainer answered that. "Oh yeah! His name is Takeru, Takeru Yamada! His partner is a Riolu!" Ash explained.
Back to Takeru...
Takeru was still walking around, hoping to disarm the traps around. He managed to destroy a few, with the assistance of Petilil. "These traps are everywhere! Just what kind of a poacher is this person?" Takeru snapped, annoyed with so many traps in a Pokémon habitat.
"I can think many ways, big bro... A cruel, idiotic, and a nasty poacher." Riolu answered, causing his human brother to laugh. "Ha ha... I believe that too, Riolu." Takeru chuckled, scratching Riolu's chin. The Emanation Pokémon growled in content, while moaning as well.
"Oh... Big bro... Please don't stop..." Riolu moaned, as he snuggled onto his human brother's chest. Petilil giggled, seeing the human and his Pokémon happy together. She sighed, hoping to be happy with a human like that. As the Nuvema boy chuckled, he stopped, looking up at the trees.
"I wonder how the others are doing... Have they made it out of the forest yet?" Takeru asked himself in concern. Petilil blinked, looking up at her human friend. "Til?" Petilil asked. "Hm? Oh... I'm fine. I'm just worried for my friends that was with me..." Takeru explained.
"Petilil..." The Grass Type said sadly, remembering when her friends was captured by the poacher. Just then, there was a clanging sound right behind Takeru. He swiftly turned to see a man smirking at him evilly. He looked like a roughneck with tools on him.
"What... Who are you!?" Takeru gasped. "Doesn't matter, kid. Hand over that Petilil if you know what's good for you." The man demanded, causing Petilil to be frightened as she hid behind the Nuvema boy's left leg. Takeru widened his eyes before he glared.
"You're... You're a Pokémon Poacher, aren't you!?" Takeru snapped. "So what if I am? This doesn't have any concern to you, kid... So, just back off and hand over that Petilil!" The poacher demanded as Takeru stepped back. "Over my dead body you will!" Takeru scoffed.
"Big bro!?" "Til!?" Both Riolu and Petilil were shocked at Takeru's angry personality as the poacher gritted his teeth. "Grrr... Fine! Have it your way! Let's go, Krookodile!" The poacher yelled, summoning his Pokémon. A crocodile, but dry looking Pokémon came out, smirking at the same time.
"Krookodile..." Takeru whispered as he checked his Pokédex. "Krookodile, the Intimidation Pokémon and the evolved form of Krokorok. Krookodile can destroy an automobile with its jaws." Takeru's Pokédex buzzed. The Nuvema boy gulped at this Pokémon.
"Prepare for battle, Riolu..." Takeru warned. "Right..." Riolu grunted. He glared at Krookodile, ready to fight. "You've got guts, kid. I like that! Now, Krookodile! Use Hyper Beam!" The poacher yelled. Krookodile roared, attempting to shoot the powerful attack at Riolu.
"Riolu! Dodge with Dig!" Takeru yelled. The Emanation Pokémon managed to dig underground, evading the Hyper Beam attack. "Now! Hit him hard with Blaze Kick!" Takeru cried. Digging out of the ground, a Riolu let out a battle cry, slamming Krookodile away with Blaze Kick.
"What!? Krookodile, use Stone Edge, let's go!" The poacher yelled. "Repel them with ThunderPunch!" Takeru cried. As Stone Edge was thrown, Riolu managed to deflect it all with ThunderPunch, rendering the Rock Type attack useless. "Why you... Use Hyper Beam!" The poacher bellowed.
"Use Dig to dodge!" Takeru shouted. Once again, Hyper Beam was evaded with Dig. But the poacher was ready this time. "Use Bulldoze to counter!" The poacher yelled. "What!? Riolu, get out of there and use Force Palm!" Takeru cried. As the battle went on, Petilil was amazed.
She had just met this human and his Pokémon, and they're still protecting her! She grew teary, seeing that there are some who cared for her. She looked back to see Krookodile blasted away with Force Palm, causing it to be injured severely. "You can't be serious!?" The poacher yelled.
He backed away a few steps, before he recalled Krookodile. "Damn you! Krookodile, return!" The poacher called. As his evolved Ground Type was returned, he angrily glared at the Nuvema boy with a threatening look. "This isn't over, you little brat!" The poacher snapped.
He ran off, while throwing a smoke bomb right in front of the Nuvema boy. It exploded, causing smoke to appear in the air."Argh! Get back here, you coward!" Takeru snapped angrily. The Nuvema boy tried to look through the smoke, only for it to be futile.
Once it cleared, the poacher was already gone. "Poachers... How annoying." Takeru scoffed, as he held Riolu back in his arms. "Are you alright, Riolu?" Takeru asked. "Don't worry! I didn't get hurt, big bro!" Riolu barked with a grin.
Sighing, the Nuvema boy smiled back before he turned to the amazed Petilil. "What about you? Are you alright, Petilil?" Takeru asked. "Petilil! Petilil!" Petilil cried happily. "I'm taking that as a yes." Takeru chuckled.
He looked up, seeing that the sky was a bit orange, despite of not being able to see the sky completely. "It's already getting dark... We should find a safe place to sleep tonight. Then tomorrow, we can help save your friends, Petilil." Takeru assured, rubbing her head. "Petilil..." Petilil replied, blushing.
She gave a small nod, allowing the Nuvema boy to nod back. As the three walked around to find a safe place to sleep, the Nuvema boy once again looked up at the trees and the afternoon sky. "Stay safe, everyone..." Takeru whispered before he kept walking.
Riolu looked up at his human brother, before placing a paw on his right cheek, much to Takeru's surprise. "Big bro... Our friends are strong, right?" Riolu asked, causing his human brother to blink. "Yeah... When three together, they're strong." Takeru answered.
"So, why does it sound like you're doubting their safety big bro?" Riolu asked. Takeru blinked, before answering. "I don't know... It's just... I'm just concerned for them, is all. No other reason, Riolu." Takeru answered with an assuring smile.
Riolu grinned with a nod as he settled in his human brother's arms, with Petilil walking on their left. They walked to see the safe area where they could shelter for the night, before dark came by. What none of them noticed was the same figure once again.
The figure spying on him, Riolu, and Petilil watched as the three were trying to find shelter. The figure smiled, seeing how brave the Nuvema boy was, defending Petilil while defeating that awful human at the same time. And the strong bond he and Riolu had was impressive.
"It seems I underestimated this human boy... I suppose I need to keep an eye on him more in this forest, in case something does happen." The female figure's voice chuckled in amusement. She walked off, while planning to secretly follow the human boy once again.
To be continued...
Takeru's Team:
Riolu: (M): (Force Palm, Blaze Kick, ThunderPunch, Dig)
Joltik: (M): (Electro Ball, Electroweb, String Shot, Signal Beam)
Tranquill: (M): (Air Cutter, Gust, Roost, Aerial Ace)
Tepig: (M): (Flamethrower, Smog, Flame Charge, Rollout)
Zorua: (F): (Scratch, Leer, Pursuit, ?)
Next chapters:
Chapter 36: The Grass Guardian Protects the One!?
Chapter 37: A Connoisseuse!? Or a Fraud!?
Chapter 38: Cilan VS Burgundy! It's Evaluation Time!
Chapter 39: The Triplet Ducklett Thieves!
Chapter 40: Deino VS Ducklett! A New Choice!
Next chapter preview:
Takeru: Who are you... And what are you doing to these Grass and Bug Type Pokémon!? Are you some sort of a poacher!?
Poacher: Yeah, that's right! My client wants as many Grass and Bug Type Pokémon like here in Pinwheel Forest! There's a good amount of money waiting for me there!
Takeru: You imbecile... You're making a serious mistake poaching Pokémon in front of me! You're going to release them now, or you'll pay for it dearly!
Ash: What's with those Pokémon!? And where's Sewaddle!? Takeru!? What are you...
Burgh: No! That Sewaddle is heading for that waterfall! It's going to crash down!
Iris: But, all those Pokémon! And Takeru is going against that strange man! What could be worse!?