Pokémon XYZ
Hey guys Paradox here and welcome to Chapter 87 and Chapter 4 of XYZ. Now we head into the outback. Keep in mind this will be alternate version to the anime. One way will be very obvious and that will make all the difference. So let's get started.
"Many are stubborn in pursuit of the path they have chosen, few in pursuit of the goal."- Friedrich Nietzsche
Chapter 87: Pride and Stubbornness
The gang continues down Route 18 where they approach a change of scenery. "Well guys, welcome to the Grasslands." Rene said as they saw the never ending sea of grass, a couple of trees for shade and a couple of waterholes. "This is certainly a change of surroundings." Drake said. "Yep, we'll be able to see all sorts of Pokémon living here." Rene said. "That's something I would like to see." Ash said. "You have a lot of energy today honey." Said Serena. "I always do." Ash smiled.
"We just have to across the Grasslands to get the next forest." Drake said. "That's the plan. Shouldn't take more then a couple of hours." Rene said. "Why does it have to be hours?" Clemont already not liking this. "Man up Clemont. It'll be fine." Bonnie said.
By hour two, the group was walking through a steppe and Clemont wasn't feeling good. "Guys..I think I'm gonna hurl." Clemont began to turn green. "Here's a Fresh Water,if you're gonna throw up do it over there. Drake said as he handed Clemont the water and pointed to a tree. "He can be such slack." Bonnie said as Clemont chugged the water down his throat.
"Give him a break. We're making great time." Drake said. "It's been two hours and we haven't seen a single Pokémon." Ash said. "All it takes is patience Ash. They'll come along any moment." Drake said as the group then heard a roar nearby. "See? Speak of the devil." Drake said as they ran to the edge of the steppe.
By a watering hole was a group of Pokémon of the same cat species enjoying themselves. The smaller Pokémon were no more then two feet tall,two different shades of brown, red nose and a fire red mohawk on its head. There are two types of larger cats that the group defines that it's based on gender. The male has a large fiery mane while the female has an extremely longer mane extending to its tail. Both in two shades of brown, blue eyes and had razor saw blades for teeth. "It's a pride of Pyroar." Rene said as Ash scanned them with his Pokédex starting with the smaller cubs.
"Litleo,The Lion Cub Pokémon, They set off on their own from their pride and live by themselves to become stronger. These hot-blooded Pokémon are quick to fight."
"Pyroar,The Royal Pokémon, With fiery breath of more than 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, they viciously threaten any challenger. The females protect the prides cubs."
"They're a really proud Pokémon." Drake said. "Females can also hunt for food and capable of much more heavy work." Rene said. "While the only male or sometimes two or even three can lead hunting parties. Males can challenge the alpha for the role of leader. These battles can be really fierce even bloody." Clemont said. The gang then heard a roar from below.
On the field was a large Pyroar and two Litleo who stood side by side. Both cubs listen as the Pyroar spoke high and mighty. "Do you know what they're saying?" Serena asked. "The Pyroar's the father and alpha while the two Litleo are his twin sons. He's saying their time has now come and are of age to leave the pride and off on their own." Ash translates. "So comes the time for the boys to become men." Rene said. "What can you say? It's the Circle of Life." Drake smiled (I know but hey I couldn't resist.)
One of the Litleo stood in a fiery boast with energy while the other wasn't too excited about the situation. The Pyroar spoke, telling the twin to prepared the disembarked. The energetic one was more then ready if not a bit arrogant showing off. The timid one however was not and argue about staying instead,angering Pyroar. "What's going on guys?" Serena asked. "One seems more then ready to go but the timid one doesn't wish to leave." Rene said. "So one is boastful while the other is shy." Drake concluded. "The shy one reminds me of Clemont." Bonnie mocks. "Hey." Clemont comments. "The energetic reminds me of Rene." Serena said. "I think that little is a bit on the head dive first kind of Pokémon." Said Rene.
The timid Litleo latch onto his father's paw but Pyroar retaliated by smacking him off. "Hey that wasn't nice." Bonnie said. "Litleo doesn't have a choice but to leave. It's Pride Life." Rene said. "Can't we do something?" Clemont asked. "It's Nature Clemont. There's nothing we could do." Drake said.
The energetic Litleo tried to talk his younger brother to simply let be and come on but the younger twin layed flat complaining loudly. The constant noise took its toll and Pyroar had enough and fired a Flamethrower at his youngest son,harming him. "I can't stand watching this." Bonnie said as she slid down the steppe. "Bonnie wait!" Clemont went after her which lead to the others to follow suit.
Through black smoke the eldest twin helped the timid youngster up, despite their father being unfair and unjust in his actions the eldest knew it had to be done but could leave its brother on the ground. Both cubs looked at their father for one last time as he looked beyond them. Pyroar knew his sons have a long road ahead of them and each their own weaknesses that the other one doesn't. His eldest was strong but brash and can sometimes leap before looking while his youngest son was thoughtful but not so physically capable thanks to his timidity nature. Pyroar knew that the only way his sons had a chance in the Wild was to work together.
The cubs then saw their father disappeared as the smoke cleared so did their old pride,leaving them all alone. "Are you alright?" The cubs turn to see a little human girl before them. By instinct the older took an aggressive stance to defend itself and family. "It's okay we won't hurt you." Bonnie said as the group was coming around. "My name's Bonnie. This is Dedenne and this is Squishy." She introduced as she saw something on the younger Liteo's paw. "You're hurt." Bonnie reached out but not until the older Litleo tried to bite her hand. Luckily Bonnie was quick enough to retract before contact was made.
"Hey, she's just trying to help furball." Rene scorned until Litleo mocked back. "I could say my opinion whenever I want to and I say that wound needs treatment or it could get infected." Said Rene. The part about the infection is what got Litleo's attention and retracted his hostility. "Thank you." Drake said as he inspects the wound. "Not too bad. Only needs this." Drake said as he took out a Super Potion and sprayed it on, causing it to sting with Litleo felt. "And there we going. You're going to be fine." Drake said as the younger Litleo could finally stand.
At the same moment, both Litleo's stomachs began to growl. "You're both hungry. Here try some of this." Ash said as he took out some Pokémon food. Unfortunately both Litleo refused even though the youngest was tempted to eat it. "Okay, how about a tasty Poke Puff." Serena offered one which once again both Litleo refused to take. "This is ridiculous, you're both hungry so just take the food." Rene blurred out. The oldest then explain their reasons why they couldn't accept food from others.
"What did he say guys?" Bonnie asked. "They say it's not Pride nature for they must find their own food or thus starve to death nobly. So no stealing food or accepting food from others." Drake explained. "So what do we do?" Ash asked. "Nothing, we have to respect nature and their wishes." Drake explained. Litleo smiled for somewhat the humans understand.
With that Litleo decided to get going with the older one leading. "Wait hold on." Bonnie tried to stop them. "Bonnie we can't. Both Litleo know they have to do this on their own." Clemont said. "If you ask me, both of them may not make it." Rene said. "Can't we do something?" Asked Serena. "What CAN we do? It's not like we can just watch them from a distance to make sure they don't get killed." Drake said with that the whole smiled at his idea.
"You know I was being rhetorical right." Drake said as they walked and follow the Litleo from five yards. "And we all agreed to watch them. Plus Bonnie feel a lot better with this plan." Ash said,leaving Drake grumbling. The older Litleo was excited being on the open wild on its own...somewhat, that he didn't noticed that he was coming to the edge of a steppe until he fell over. The younger looked over to see his oldest twin laying flat on his back and mocked how he still leaps before looking.
"Haha, dumbass." Rene laughed from afar. "You know you and him are still pretty much alike." Drake said. "How exactly?" Rene asked. "Simple: you're both dumbasses." Drake snickered as he walked away. "I resent that!" Rene yelled.
Traveling ten kilometers and the Litleo were not just hungry but dehydrated as well and walking under the hot sun didn't help at all. Both constantly sniffing the air,ground and plant life looking for eatable food. The gang followed the Litleo into a mesa as they continue to look for water. "Couldn't we just go ahead and drop a bottle of water and they won't know the difference?" Serena asked. "No because they will know and secondly, he's watching them as we are." Drake said as he pointed to a higher rock where Pyroar looked over his sons.
"How'd you know he was watching? Forget that how long has he been watching them?" Ash asked. "I think he's always been watching them. He's just better at discretion then we are." Drake said. "Then why doesn't he help them?" Serena asked. "You already know the answer to that." Said Drake.
Another ten minutes and the Litleo were near exhaustion that the youngest one fell. Bonnie tried to follow ahead but Ash stopped her and shook his head. The oldest help him up and told him to keep moving for they near to top of the mesa. When they did get to the peak, the twin noticed a soak tree with water droplets hang on the leaves. Knowing this was their only chance, the twin each rammed a separate side of the tree to get the droplets to drips. After a good three headbutts, three droplets each landed into the Litleo's mouths. It wasn't enough but only just so they could get to the river at the bottom of the mesa.
Walking down a slope to the river, the Litleo felt their stomachs rumble once again when they felt a breeze in the wind but along with the wind carried a presence both cubs knew really well. Both turned their backs but didn't see anyone behind them. The younger one felt the need to go back but the oldest claims to keep going for this is a test of strength and independence and their father was observing them. The youngest knew his brother was right but...no he is right and his father claims that he's got the longest way to go.
Climb down the rocky slope, both Litleo walked slowly heading towards the river while the rest of the gang followed close by. Suddenly a piece of the ground they were standing on broke off, sending the two cubs down the side of the slope heading to edge of the chasm.
"We gotta do something!" Drake called. "I'm on it, Del hold that piece of rock with Psychic." Rene called out Delphox as the latter used Psychic power to hold the rock in place at the last second before it heading into the bottomless depths down below. Both cubs were relive as they were confused as to why the rock didn't just continue sliding down but didn't bother to question it as they were now out of danger.
"I thought we weren't going to get involved." Ash said. "We didn't technically, beside would you rather have them plummet to their deaths?" Drake asked as Ash knew he was right. "We don't have to directly get involved, if absolutely necessary we improvise to save their necks." Rene said as everyone agreed.
Finally the cubs arrived at the river. The water runs rampant and the cubs knew they had to swim to get across. After drinking more water, the cubs preceded to swim across but struggled against the roaring waters. It didn't take long for the two lose their footing and start going down the current. "They won't last much longer in there." Ash said. "I got this, Chespin use Vine Whip on that loose vine." Clemont called as Chespin extended his vines to a tree ahead of the cubs and pull a vine into the river. No one the wiser, the cubs saw the vine down the river and both grabbed it and pulled themselves out. Gasping for breath, both Litleo shook themselves dry preceded ahead.
"Great job Chespin." Clemont commended as Chespin took the compliment. "That's done but how do we cross ourselves?" Serena wondered. "I got that handle. Del use Psychic to lift us across the river." Rene commanded as the Fox Pokémon use Psychic power to envelop the group in a purple outline and psychically floated them across the river. "That's handy." Ash said. "I know right. Most excellence girl." Rene commended as Del smiled brightly. "Great come on. We don't want to lose the cubs." Drake said as the group slowly followed the cubs just up ahead.
Two problems were tackled but it still left the first one left that started it all which was hunger. Both Litleo sniffed the ground for scents or aromas until the younger one picked something up,calling his eldest twin to follow him. Climbing a small hill, both Litleo approach an Oran Berry patch. Both felt their mouths water at the sight of juicy berries as they pick an Oran Berry for themselves. Before they could take a bite, both felt the presence from before and looked behind a rock to see their father who was surprised from been spotted. No words or roars were exchanged, only glances and eye contacts happened. As both twin finally took a bite of their Oran Berry, Pyroar relaxed and let the truth settle in. At last his sons are finally independent which means they now masters of their own paths. Which that Pyroar leaped off the hill and into the open land.
"What happened?" Serena asked. "Both Litleo are finally independent and like any good parent, Pyroar feels complete." Drake said. "That's nice. So what will happen to Litleo?" Bonnie asked. "They will either separate and start their own packs or stay together and form their own pack." Drake said. "You know there's a term for that kind of pack, a Wolfpack." Rene laughed. "I fail to see the point of that statement." Ash commented. "Me too." Drake agreed. "You guys are no fun." Rene said glumly. Suddenly their attention was caught when they heard Pyroar roar from below.
The group looked to see what's going on and caught the situation. Standing before Pyroar was a big,orange dragon like mech. "Surprised to see us kitty?" Jessie asked. "This is for that earlier lunch session you tried to make us up." Meowth said as he pulled a lever. Right then from the robo dragon's mouth came a vacuum pull that was drawing Pyroar in. "Don't fight it. We insist." Meowth mocked as he pulled a lever down further. This time the vacuum's pull was much more stronger,causing the already struggling Pyroar to get sucked inside the dragon's mouth, go through the robot's mechanics and ended with it caged inside the tip of the dragon's tail.
"Hey you stop that." Ash demanded as the whole group and the Litleo,who saw what just transpired joined group. "Aww look it's the Brady Bunch. Let's say hello Meowth." James said. "With pleasure." Meowth smirked as he floored it. The engine revs on the robot as it accelerates towards the group. "Jump away!" Drake yelled as everyone dove out of the dragon's warpath. The group on one side and the Litleo twins on the other. "These guys gone Zubat-shit crazy!" Rene said. "Tell us something we don't know." Said Ash.
The dragon then stop in front of the twin cubs. "Don't fret, our robot doesn't bite. Show them Meowth." Jessie said as Meowth pulled the lever once again. Once more the vacuum pulled at full power. Both Litleo didn't stand a chance and both were sucked into the dragon's mouth, through its mechanics and joining their father in the cage on the tip of the dragon's tail.
"Three for the price of one." James cheered. "Now it leave you twerps." Jessie zoomed in. "Guess it does." Drake said angrily. "Turn them to flatbread Meowth." Jessie commands as the robot then accelerates once again at the group. "I got this. Toterra use Rock Climb." Ash released the Continent Pokémon as Toterra slammed into the ground, summoning a large hill under the robot's wheels. Team Rocket felt scared about soar to new heights as they saw a giant land turtle approaching them with large claws to climb the hill and finally slamming them down the hill.
"The nerve! Meowth show how hot this dragon can spew!" Jessie said as Meowth pushed a red button. On the tip of the dragon's tail, the cage became electrified and shocked the three cats inside. Agitated, Pyroar used Overheat and engulf the whole cagein flames. Luckily both Litleo could withstand the heat. "Exactly what we wanted. Now Meowth let her rip." James said as Meowth pushed the red bottom again and this time a stream of fire blew out of the dragon's mouth.
"Look out." Serena cried. "Toterra use Energy Ball." Ash called. "Del, lend a hand with Mystical Fire." Rene said as Delphox summoned a ring of fire to shoot a stream of flame. Both attacks went side by side as they cancelled out the rouge Flamethrower. "We gotta free them." Drake said. "I got an idea but I need a distraction." Clemont said. "I got it. Rene help Clemont free Pyroar and Litleo." Ash said. "Let's give them a window Toterra. Stir the winds with Leaf Storm." Toterra summoned a storm of leaves from its tree and push a whirlwind of leaves and stuck them at Team Rocket's cockpit, blocking their view. "Hey we can't see!" James said. "There's your window!" Ash called.
"Got it. Luxray come out and use Wild Charge." Clemont release the Gleam Eyes Pokémon who then charge ahead under an electric veil. Luxray saw the cage Pyroar and his cubs were trapped in and knew that was his target. He jumped high and struck the cage with great force, breaking it and freeing Pyroar and the two cubs.
Del then helps to retrieve them by using Psychic and bring them safely to the group. By the time Team Rocket could see out of the cockpit, they noticed that the twerps had freed their quarry,sending chills to their spines.
"Let's end this. Use Energy Ball."
"Use Mystical Fire."
"Use Thunderbolt."
All three Pokémon fired their attacks with Pyroar accompanying them with Overheat and both Litleo using Flamethrower. Together all six attack streams struck the dragon with enough to equal a Blast Burn, sending Team Rocket on their merry way.
"Oh to think we actually had them." James said.
"We always think we do." Meowth whined.
"Grr! This isn't over!" Jessie yelled back.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket cried as flew away. The group drew their breaths in. "Whew That was more intense then usual." Drake said. "Which part? The one when they tried to run us over or charbroiled us?" Ash asked. "I'd say both." Serena said as the group agreed.
It was time to get going as the group prepared to leave but not before saying goodbye to Pyroar and Litleo. "It's been a pleasure to meet you guys. Now that you two are now independent." Ash said. "Well I say you two still have a long way to go. You need to learn how to look before leaping and you, trust your instincts a lot more." Rene pointed out. "Don't mind what she said. You both are awesome." Bonnie cheered. Both Litleo looked at each other felt like getting the same idea.
Both knew somehow they were receiving help and it wasn't from just their father. This group was their own kind of family. Their own kind of pride who watch,care and love one another. Both expected to leave to start their own prides or a pride of their own but...perhaps there was a third option. Perhaps they could join into a pride.
Both Litleo looked at each other and knew what they chose and spoke to the group. "Wait..what?" Drake asked as both Litleo spoke their wishes. "You want to join us?" Ash asked as the Litleo nodded, surprising everyone including Pyroar. Pyroar wanted to speak his mind but since in Wild's law his sons were independent which means they make their own decisions.
"Okay? But who do you choose to be trained by?" Ash asked. Both Litleo looked at each person and the youngest decided to go towards Bonnie. "Me? I'm flattered but I'm not a trainer yet." Bonnie said. "That's okay Bonnie, here Litleo I'll catch you and you and Bonnie can hang out all the time." Clemont offered as Litleo nodded yes. As for the oldest, it took some time but decided to with Rene even though he had a hunch he may regret it later on.
"Me? Out of everyone?" Rene asked. "Why not Rene? You two could finally learn some manners together." Drake smirked. Litleo responded by shooting a small Ember at Drake who narrowly dodged it. "Esshh with guts like that and a sense of humor. We're gonna get along just fine." Rene laugh a long with Litleo, leaving Drake grumbling angrily.
After catching both of them, the group prepared to disembark. "They'll be safe with us Pyroar." Drake promised as Pyroar nodded. After saying goodbye, the group were nearly out of the Grasslands and to the next place looking forward to tomorrow as the Journey continues.
Done guys well here's chapter 87. Sorry this got held up but I had some stuff to do. So great news is I finally turn twenty last Monday and I'm rapidly approaching the end of another college semester so that means a long week of exams, wish me luck on this Okay?
So next Chapter will involve...you guess it, Darkrai but let me be very clear that this chapter it'll be SO SO different that it'll appear to be an OC so that will leave you guys scratching your heads. That's it, thanks for reading. This is Paradox signing off. Goodbye.
