ALTERNATE REALITY STORY 1 - WHAT LEGENDS ARE MADE OF
SAGA 1: THE LEGEND BEGINS
(c) Copyright 2000 by Flareon
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokémon. I wish I did, but I do not. I just write these fanfiction.
{These things} - Means thought or psychic communication.
'Apostrophes' - Means Pokémon language deciphered into human language.
[Brackets] - Means author notes.
TheseStrangeThings - Means change of scene.
Narrator: "Well, our heroes have almost arrived in Torn Town, home of many a peaceful villager. But things may not be peaceful elsewhere. What's up with Ash and his friends?"
Ash: "Episode 12: Surrender to the Squirtle Squad!"
Ash, Brock, and Misty biked peacefully down the road on the way to Vermillion City. They could see Torn Town in the distance. They counted off Pokémon facts as a way to pass the time.
Ash: "Okayyy...Misty! Name the totally evolved form of Dratini."
Misty, giggling: "Ash! These are way too easy!"
Ash, groaning: "I know that! But I don't know what skill level you are! Just answer the question!"
Misty: "Fine then. Dratini's doubly evolved form is Dragonite, silly. And only one has ever been found."
Ash: "Fine. Then name Dragonite's unevolved form, how big its unevolved form is averaged in length and weight, what its usual life span is, what its special non-attack powers are, what the attacks it learns are, when it learns them, what they do, and which special techniques you can usually teach it."
Misty and Brock's mouths dropped open.
Brock: "Good lord! Ash, you know all that stuff?!"
Ash: "Yep. Answer, Misty."
Misty: "Ash, NOBODY KNOWS THAT by memory!! Maybe Professor Oak, but not anyone else! You never could know that!"
Ash, smiling: "Don't call me 'silly', and never say never. An average Dragonair is 13 feet and 1 inch long at full growth. Its average life span is around 40 years. It usually weighs about 36 pounds. It has the power to control the weather and make rain, wind, or other precipitation. After becoming a Dragonair by evolving from Dratini, it learns Slam at level 35, which is an attack where the Pokémon slams down hard, using its weight to smash into the opponent. At level 45, it learns Dragon Rage, which allows it to twist its body, creating a whirlwind which does a set amount of damage against any opponent. At level 55, it learns Hyper Beam, which is a beam of concentrated hyper-charged particles which mix together, creating a powerful laser. It also can become Dragonite at that level. Other attacks it can learn are Toxic, Horn Drill, Body Slam, Take Down, Double-Edge, Bubblebeam, Water Gun, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Rage, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Mimic, Double Team, Reflect, Bide, Fire Blast, Swift, Skull Bash, Rest, Substitute, and Surf [whew]. You can teach it your own techniques, but they are not recorded, and I have no way of knowing how to name them."
Brock's and Misty's mouths were almost to the ground, and they were on bikes.
Ash: "Um, guys, could you please close your mouths? Its disconcerting."
They closed their mouths and just looked at Ash, eyes still wide open.
Ash, closing his eyes: "Stop looking at me!"
They rubbed their heads as if falling out of a trance. Then Brock gave a little laugh.
Brock, weakly chuckling: "Heh heh. Um, Ash, let me guess. You can say the normal accuracy of hitting a target with any one of those attacks when both are the same level, based on the Pokémon type and its stats, right?"
Ash, cheerfully: "Yep."
Misty: "Ash, did it ever occur to you that there are only FIVE RECORDED CAPTURED DRAGONAIR IN THE ENTIRE WORLD??!!"
Ash, blushing: "Well, ye- (yelling) aaaahhh!"
They were falling into a hole. Ash landed first, Brock on top of him and Misty on top of both.
Ash: "OWW! Brock, your bike HURTS!!"
Brock: "Yeah, well SO DOES MISTY'S! Who the HECK did this?!!"
Misty, groaning: "Probably Team Rocket again."
To their surprise, a bunch of blue faces in sunglasses peered down at them, chortling. Then they seemed to leave.
Ash: "Squirtles! They're going to pay for this!"
He grabbed Pikachu and crawled out from under Brock and Misty. Then using his balance and powerful legs, he kicked off the wall to catapulted out of the hole.
The Squirtles looked back with astonishment. They hadn't expected the humans to get out for a while. The biggest one stepped forward, frowning.
Pikachu: "Pika! Pi pika pika!" 'Squirtles! You're going down for that!'
Pikachu let loose an electric spark from his cheeks. One of the Squirtles stepped into it, stopping it from hitting the leader. It was electrified and fell down in a heap. The others stood over it.
Head Squirtle, concerned: "Squitle squirtle?" 'You all right dude?'
Savior Squirtle, weakly: "Squirtle, squirt." 'Not really, man.'
Pikachu stepped forward. The head Squirtle and Pikachu looked at each other for a long time. Ash used the opportunity to check Squirtle's level.
Ash, thinking: Wow! That Squirtle is already level 30! The others seem to be about 24. I wonder why they haven't evolved?
Squirtle chickened out in the end.
Head Squirtle: "Squirt! Squirt squirtle!" 'Grab Boner! Let's get out of here!'
The Squirtles grabbed the fallen Squirtle and ran off. Ash pulled Misty, then Brock out of the hole. They heard a siren and saw a female police officer riding a motorcycle towards them. She stopped in front of the hole. Ash recognized it as the officer from the break-in at Cerulean City.
Officer: "Is everyone okay?"
Ash: "Yes, officer. Um, didn't I run into you back in Cerulean City?"
Officer: "My name is Officer Jenny. I'm sure I have never met you before, young man."
Misty: "Ash, just like the Joys, there are many Officer Jennys, because their good police work runs in the family, and the police force likes to hire them because of their good record. They look just the same as each other as the Joys do."
Brock, blushing: "No! This is the prettiest Officer Jenny I've ever met!"
Jenny, looking flattered: "Why, thank you."
Ash: "Hey, Officer Jenny, why did those Squirtles attack us?"
Jenny: "Well, you see...about 4 years ago, a bunch of Squirtles banded together and started a Pokémon gang. They had all been abandoned by their Trainers. Now they cause mischief to people here in Torn Town. They steal, sabotage, and play other practical jokes. Its actually quite sad, really. Because if they had someone to care for them, they might not have turned out as bad as they did."
They thanked Officer Jenny and went into the Pokémon Center to heal up with Nurse Joy. Then they rode onwards.
Misty: "Hey, guys! This place looks like a great fishing spot! Can we eat here while I look for some more Water Pokémon?"
Brock: "Sure, if its all right with Ash."
Ash: "Sure, why not? I think I'll fish a little too."
Pikachu: "Pi pi!" ' Me three!'
They started eating lunch, with Ash, Pikachu, and Misty setting up their poles.
[Yeah, I gave Ash a collapsible fishing pole. Sue me if you can! :OP]
Jesse, James, and Meowth were watching the group and plotting.
Jesse: "This time we're going to grab that Pikachu!"
James: "Well, I'd say we should grab lunch, first."
Meowth: "I want pizza!"
Jesse whapped them with a fan.
Jesse: "I can't believe this! Am I the only one who wants world domination more than to know what's for lunch?!"
James and Meowth: "Umm, yes?"
Jesse: "You id-"
Jesse's stomach growled. She sported a look of total embarrassment as she pulled out a picnic basket. James and Meowth both danced with joy.
Jesse: "Hmm. Even my stomach says its time for lunch."
Meowth: "We're gonna have a picnic!"
A voice from behind them: "Squir! Squirtle!"
They turned around. There were about six Squirtle behind them. Jesse and James didn't know what the Squirtle had told them.
Jesse: "You guys got a problem?"
Squirtle: "Squirtle!"
James: "I think we should teach these 'tiny turtles' who's boss around here."
Jesse: "I agree, James."
They stepped forward in combat mode. And fell into a pit. A few minutes later, Team Rocket was tied up in a tree, and the Squirtles were eating their lunch.
James: "They're eating all of the pizza!"
Jesse: "Their drinking all of the root beer!...Wait, I might have an idea."
She got the attention of what was apparently the lead Squirtle by his style of sunglasses.
Jesse: "Yo, Squirtle Squad. Our boss would be most appreciative if you let us down and help us get rid of an annoying problem."
The head Squirtle shook them off.
Squirtle: "Squirtle squirtle squirtle."
Meowth: "It said, 'We know humans cannot be trusted'."
James: "Meowth! You'd better fix this."
Meowth: "Now, let me see. (After thinking for a second) Squirtles, these two are my pets."
They looked at him with interest.
James, struggling: "Ohh, you mangy little..."
Meowth, shutting James up with his feet: "Yes, I've trained them, but they're pretty stupid."
Head Squirtle, after some thought: "Tle, squirtle. Squirtle."
They took Meowth down and gave him some pizza and root beer. Meowth was guarded by one of the Squirtles.
James: "Meowth! Get them to take us down!"
Meowth was directed to shut James up.
Meowth, whispering: "Listen. I need to get their trust first, and that's going to take some time."
He rejoined the Squirtles. Pretty soon they had eaten it all.
Meowth: "See? You guys can trust me."
Squirtle, considering: "Squirtle squirt."
Meowth: "Right! So you can help me with a pest problem?"
Squirtle, nodding: "Squir!"
Meowth, smiling wickedly: "Right then. Can you do this?..."
Ash, Pikachu, Brock, and Misty had finished lunch. Now Brock was reading the paper and the others were fishing.
Ash: "Hey, I think I got one!"
Suddenly, one of the Squirtles they had met earlier popped out of the lake and drenched them all.
Ash: "What was that for?! Go, Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu got up from his fishing and Thunderbolted the water, shocking Squirtle. Suddenly, another Squirtle burst out of the bushes and Skull Bashed Pikachu far into the lake. Before Ash could grab at the Squirtle, it disappeared into the water.
Ash: "PIKACHU! SWIM TO THE SHORE!"
Pikachu started swimming. Misty saw the horn of a Goldeen behind it.
Misty: "PIKACHU! DON'T GET STABBED BY GOLDEEN'S HORN ATTACK!"
Pikachu looked at her, then looked behind it. The Goldeen had the force of surprise and whammed Pikachu back to the shore with its horn. Ash started running towards him.
Ash: "PIKACHU!!!"
He was halfway there when the entire Squirtle Squad stepped in front of Pikachu. Meowth appeared and did, too. He slowed. Misty and Brock knew Ash would try to get Pikachu back from the Squirtles, even if they had him outnumbered. They ran to him as fast as they could.
Ash, eyes flaring: "MEOWTH."
Meowth: "Yeah, that's me. Now come with us, or you'll never see Pikachu again. The goyl and squinty guy, too."
Ash looked at Meowth with so much intensity that the talking Pokémon fell back a step. The Squirtle Squad sweatdropped and moved closer to Pikachu as an insurance policy.
Ash, with a really quiet voice that seemed to project itself: "Meowth, let Pikachu go, right now, or I'll-"
He was stepping forward. He suddenly felt a strong and gentle grip on his arms.
Misty: "Ash, don't."
Brock: "Its not worth it. Wait until you hear what they want with us."
Ash looked at Pikachu and his eyes softened. Pikachu was bleeding from the wound on its torso. It was gasping for breath and had its eyes closed tightly.
Pikachu, psychic waves of pain sent outwards: {HURTS. SO MUCH. TOO MUCH. HURTS.)
Misty suddenly hated herself for helping to stop Ash. These Squirtles had to pay for what they did. Either that, or Meowth did. She saw the Squirtles look at Pikachu, eyes widen, then look away.
Head Squirtle: "Squirt squirtle." 'Come with us.'
Ash, straining: "All. Right."
Ash went to pick up Pikachu, but Squirtles did instead, and he growled. Ash, Misty, and Brock followed Meowth.
Meowth, thinking: Jesse and James will get here and we'll grab Pikachu. This is great!
Ash, Brock, and Misty watched Pikachu lying while it slept on the floor of the cave they were trapped in. Ash and Misty could both hear it projecting its emotions, even if they or he didn't want to. Both were tensed to charge to get him, but both held back.
Ash, his voice barely audible: "Guys."
Misty and Brock, also melding in their voices into their breathing so it wouldn't be detectable: "Yes?"
Ash: "I need to get medicine. Now. Stay here and watch Pikachu. Make sure Meowth doesn't take him. (Raising his voice) Squirtles! I need to go get medicine for Pikachu! Let me go to get that!"
Squirtle: "Squirtle. Squirtle." 'We know better. You'll just take off."
Ash glanced at Misty, then Brock.
Ash: "I wouldn't leave my friends behind!"
Squirtle: "Squirtle?" 'How do we know that?'
Ash: "I promise I won't run away! Is that enough?!"
He looked at Pikachu and his face fell. The Squirtles could see two droplets of tears hit the ground below Ash.
Head Squirtle: "Quirt. Squirt squirtle." 'Fine. You have until high noon to be back."
Meowth, walking in: "Or we shave the goyl's head."
Misty: "WHAT??! YOU MANGY LITTLE FUR BALL!! WHEN I GET OUT OF THIS-..."
Ash: "MISTY! Calm down! I'll be back! I just have to get Super Potion for Pikachu in town. I won't let them shave your head. (Muttering, trying to lighten the mood) Though it might look cool..."
Misty, irritated at that: "Ash! All right. (Looking at Pikachu) Hurry."
Ash looked at Pikachu one more time, then looked and ran away. He ran down the road towards Torn Town.
Misty: "Good luck."
Pikachu: "Pika...pi..." 'Asshh..."
Meowth, thinking: {By den we'll be long gone from here. Heh-heh-heh!}
Ash ran his fastest, but couldn't see well as he ran and tripped on a rock, making him fly through the air. In a basic maneuver, he rolled himself in a ball and rolled away. Unfortunately for him, the river leading to the pond was there and he fell from about 12 feet into it. The Goldeen swam by and punctured his buttock. Flying onto the bank, Ash threw a stone at Goldeen in rage. It connected and Goldeen fell onto the opposite bank.
Ash: "Pokéball, go!"
The Pokéball shot at Goldeen, sucked it up, captured it, and returned to Ash's hand while dematerializing to Professor Oak's laboratory. Ash was already running. He dived into the river and swam really quickly to the pond. He got out and jumped onto the shore. Then he set off again, running as fast as he could.
He finally got to a Poké Mart. As he opened the door, some person rudely bumped him aside without noticing, where he fell onto the ground, bumped his head hard, and was knocked out. [In the show, its Gary who bumps him. Now, I'm going to make it so two guys coming through simultaneously. One was as tall as Ash with long spiky red hair, the other a little taller with short spiky blonde hair. They both resemble Ash, but don't look that much alike.]
Jesse and James burst through the Poké Mart door.
Jesse: "We want 59 pounds of flash powder and 2 toothpicks, now!"
James: "Or we'll freeze you with these Ice Blasters!"
Store owner: "What do you want those things for?!"
Jesse: "You want to get rid of the Squirtle Squad, don't you?! The flash powder will scare them back to whatever river they came from. The toothpicks are for our teeth."
The store owner gave them the things. Outside, Ash was waking up.
Jesse: "It's been good doing business with you!"
James: "We'd like to thank you for your cooperation on part of Team Rocket!"
They ran out. Ash finally finished waking up and ran into the store.
Ash: "I need a Super Po-wah! Please don't shoot me!"
About twenty handguns were cocked at him. Officer Jenny burst through the door.
Jenny: "Stop! He's not part of Team Rocket! C'mon Ash, you can ride in my cycle!"
Ash got the medicine and jumped into Jenny's motorcycle.
Jenny: "I'll follow your directions. Now sit tight, hang on, and don't scream!"
She started the motor and went from 0 to 70 in 3 seconds.
Ash: "WAAAAAAAHH!!"
They flew down the road with Ash telling Jenny where to go. They came to a bridge which had been torn down on one side.
Jenny: "This bridge has been out for 3 years. I can't get across, but I know another way into those caves you mentioned from when I was a little girl. We officers have developed a new way of getting to the other side."
They bike along the river until they came to a narrow spot with a ramp on both sides. Jenny revved up the motor and rode onto the ramp, flying 10 feet to the other side of the river. There was an entrance there.
Jenny: "I'm too big to get through, but I think you are still small enough. Good luck. I'll be going around to the main entrance. It'll take about 30 minutes for me to come to your aid."
Ash: "Thanks, Jenny."
He squeezed in. Seeing as he had little light...
Ash: "Go, Charmander! Walk in front of me down this tunnel."
Charmander: "Char char!" 'Sure thing!'
Ash got on his hands and knees and started through the tunnel after Charmander. Halfway through he thought he heard Misty shriek.
Ash: "MISTY!"
He raced along the tunnel after Charmander, hurting himself on sharp stones. When he got to the end he recalled Charmander. Seeing no one in the cave where they were, not even Pikachu, he ran outside. He saw Meowth and the Squirtles.
Ash: "What did you do with Misty?! I said I'd come back at high noon and I did!"
Misty, from over to the side: "Ash, calm down!"
Ash: "Misty?"
Brock: "Yeah, so did you get the Super Potion?"
Ash, rushing over: "Yeah, here." He took out the Super Potion and sprayed it on Pikachu. Magically, Pikachu's wounds started to heal.
Ash: "Well Misty, you still have your hair."
Misty: "Yep. I'm still the same old red head!"
Ash, not meaning it: "Darn."
Misty: "WHAT?!"
Ash: "Uh, didn't say nothin'."
Meowth, thinking: {Where's Jesse and James already?}
As if on cue, the Meowth balloon floated into sight.
Jesse: "Prepare for trouble!"
James: "And make it double!"
Jesse: "To protect the world from devastation!"
James: "To unite all people within our nation!"
Jesse: "To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
James: "To extend our reach to the stars above!"
Jesse: "Jesse!"
James: "James!"
Jesse: "Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"
James: "Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
Jesse: "Hey, squirt-toys, get a load of this!"
She tossed down some flash bombs they had fashioned.
James, letting down the rope latter: "Meowth, grab Pikachu!"
Meowth grabbed Pikachu and jumped onto the ladder. The flash bombs landed with a small explosion, making the Squirtle Squad scatter. On landed right on the leader's shell, blasting him into the cave. Another one followed after the Squirtle.
Ash: "Squirtle!!"
He ran into the cave. Inside, he saw Squirtle shaking its head near the far wall. He also saw a flashbomb flying towards Squirtle.
Ash: "Squirtle, look OUT!!"
He dived onto Squirtle, who was still too dazed to think. The bomb his Ash's back, blasting him into the wall with Squirtle. Then, that coupled with another one hitting another wall started a cave-in. The whole thing seemed to collapse (even if it only looked that way from the outside).
Misty: "AAASSHHH!!!"
Pikachu, recovered enough to yell: "PIIIIKAA PIII!!!" 'AAASSHHH!!!'
Brock: "Oh, no!! ASH!!"
Inside, Ash was knocked unconscious by the 200 pounds of rock hitting his back.
Squirtle woke up underneath something heavy. He crawled out from under it. His shell ached. The human he remembered who had saved him was pinned to the ground under a big rock. Squirtle tried to get it off, but didn't succeed. Frowning deeply, it looked where they were.
It was a chamber full of fallen rock. Squirtle recognized the wall as where the entrance to the cave used to be. He tried to move the rocks, but again, his arms weren't quite strong enough. The sides of the walls sloped inward, making it impossible to climb. Squirtle heard the human groan.
Squirtle, jumping to Ash's side: "Squirtle, squir?!" 'Are you okay, man?!'
Ash: "What? Oh, hi, Squirtle. Are you okay?"
Squirtle: "Squir! Squirtle. Squirtle?" 'I'm fine! You saved me. Again, are you okay?'
Ash: "I think so. But my back really hurts, and I can't move. Something heavy is on top of me. I can't reach my Pokéballs." Squirtle: "Squirtle squirtle. Squir squirtle squirt." 'I can't get you out. Uh oh, the air supply is running out.'
Ash: "Well, looks like its the end of my journey. Try to get yourself out, Squirtle."
Squirtle: "Squirtle squirt!" 'Not until I get you out!'
Ash: "No! You've got to get yourself out! Forget me, your whole Squad depends on you! Too bad it turned out this way, though. We could have been friends. Man, I just wish I could tell Misty that...I......luh-..."
Squirtle: "Squirtle squirt! Squirtle squirt squirtle!" 'You saved my life! I'm not leaving until you can leave too!'
Ash didn't respond. He had fallen back into unconsciousness. Squirtle tried and tried, but the human just wouldn't wake up. Squirtle decided to try to find a way to get more air. He found the weakest part of the wall and used his most powerful Water Gun attack. The wall got wet, and a stone moved, but nothing else happened. He still wasn't powerful enough.
Squirtle looked at the Trainer. For a human, he seemed an attractive breed. That, of course, didn't matter to Pokémon. He tried to remember what the name was. It started with an "A" and had something to do with trees or charcoal. Ashley? No, Ash. That was it. Ash had saved Squirtle's life, even though Squirtle had been so mean to Ash. Ash was a really caring person. Squirtle would be proud to be Ash's Squirtle.
Suddenly, Squirtle gasped. He was just a Squirtle now! There was a way out of this! He was high-level for a Squirtle, too. It all made sense. Ash would want him on his team, and they could get out if he just...
Yes. Squirtle started flashing.
Misty and Brock were petrified. Ash was probably hurt, or dead.
Misty: "Brock! Get Pikachu back! I need to help Ash!"
Brock understood and nodded grimly, and Misty ran over to the blocked mouth of the cave. The Squirtle Squad was already there, trying to dig out their leader. Misty sent her Pokémon that could help out. Pretty soon, Stayu, Starmie, Gyarados, Charmander, Misty, and the Squirtle Squad were trying to get the rocks away. But it would take at least 2 hours, they reckoned. Not enough time, unless someone else dug from the other side. Team Rocket started floating silently away. Brock didn't notice, he was too concerned for his friend.
Suddenly, a huge, extremely powerful-looking jet of fire flew from the trees. Brock heard it, and bolted around. Team Rocket yelled and hugged each other, and all four stared where the fire had come from.
Standing in the trees were two young men, both appearing to be near the age Ash and Misty were. They were side by side, each gazing with mirrored expressions of placidity at the scene. The taller one had short, spiky blonde hair, the other had spiky red hair that sailed upwards on the top and out at the bangs. In front of the red-haired kid was a large Flareon. Brock never recalled seeing a Flareon looking quite as powerful as that one. Team Rocket wailed.
Jesse: "We're getting nowhere!"
James: "And getting there fast!"
Meowth: "Shut up, you two!"
Blonde kid, sounding annoyed: "Just shut up and hand over that Pikachu, Rockets!"
His voice had a crystal-clear pitch, with a voice slightly deeper than Ash's (with a tone akin to Gary's). The red-haired kid nodded.
James picked Pikachu up and handed him to Brock.
Brock, unnerved by the pair of kids: "Onix, guard them and make sure they don't escape."
Brock held Pikachu and stared at the kids.
Red-haired kid, in a crisp yet warm voice: "Blaze, return!"
They stood for a second, then turned, and walked away. Brock started. These Trainers were certainly powerful enough to get Ash out from the rocks.
Brock, running after them: "Hey, wait!!"
They were gone. [When ghosts or phantoms or whatever in anime shows turn to leave, they disappear into white mist. That's what these two did. They walked away, then faded into whiteness.] Brock skidded to a halt, dismayed. Then, he went back, wondering about them.
He set Pikachu down in soft grass and went to help the excavation team. With his and his Geodude and 4 Zubats, progress was quicker but only at an end total of an hour. As they worked, the Squirtles saw Misty's eyes slowly fill with tears. They stayed quiet. They knew she thought her boyfriend wasn't going to make it. They might cry if they didn't get their leader out.
Misty, thinking to herself: {Ash, if you're alive, hold on!}
The two teens walked though the brush, obviously used to traveling through dense woods. After awhile, the red-haired one spoke.
Red-haired kid: "Maybe we should have helped them, Spike."
(Spike?), gazing straight-ahead not wavering: "He'll be fine, Flare."
(Flare?), curious: "Why did we start following him back at Torn Town in the first place?"
Spike, grimacing: "I needed to check to see if he was strong yet..."
Flare, raising an eyebrow: "And?"
Spike, musing: "I suppose he isn't weak, but definitely not powerful enough to help us in our cause."
Flare, quietly: "Maybe he never will be..."
Spike, with a small smile: "Oh, I think our cousin might surprise us yet..."
They continued on, both lost in their own thoughts.
Ash awoke to a lightening of weight on his back. He could hardly breathe now, and it was very hot. Dust blocked his vision, making his eyes sting.
Ash: "What's going on? Squirtle?"
A voice: "War, wartortle." 'Sorry, Squirtle is no longer with us."
Ash, gasping sharply, making him wince: "Squirtle?! Is that you?? Did you evolve??!"
He could see a large Wartortle in the gloom.
Wartortle: "Wartortle. War? Wartortle." 'Yeah, I used to be Squirtle. Cool, huh? I feel stronger, and I was able to get the rocks off of you.'
Ash: "Awesome! But I can't last long. There's hardly any air left, and if I sent a Pokémon, the air would just vanish."
Wartortle: "War tortle." 'Stand back and take a deep breath.'
Ash did. Wartortle inhaled very deeply and the rest of the air practically vanished. Then Wartortle sent a stream of now liquid hydrogen at the once entrance. It was a Water Blast attack, Ash recognized. About three times stronger than a Water Gun. Its only disadvantage was that it used up a Pokémon's energy ridiculously quickly. Wartortle was using all of its strength right now, using its ultimate attack. As the stream kept going, the rocks and wall started to move. Suddenly, the whole wall of fallen stone blasted outwards and Wartortle collapsed. Ash saw a very surprised Misty and some shocked Squirtles. Brock looked at him alarmingly.
Misty, as if hardly daring to believe it: "Ash?..."
Ash: "Hey, guys."
Onix had turned to the scene and Jesse seized the advantage, throwing a flashbomb at the group of people and Pokemon. Only Ash and Wartortle saw it.
Ash: "Wartortle, Bubble, now!"
Wartortle had strength back and the Bubbles it exhaled made the flashbomb explode in midair. A spark which no one saw landed on some dry tinder.
Ash: "Wartortle, Water Gun!"
Wartortle sent forth a stream of water that sent Team Rocket into space.
Team Rocket: "Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaaiinnnn!..."
Ash: "Great job!"
Wartortle: "Wartortle!" 'The forest's on fire!'
Everyone else: "Huh?!"
They looked where Wartortle pointed and, sure enough, a fire had started where the spark hit the tinder.
Ash: "Wartortle, Water Gun! You too, Squirtles!"
They nodded and soon the fire was out. Officer Jenny saw the whole thing as she rode towards them. She took them back to Torn Town. She told all of the villagers what happened.
Jenny: "...And so, I conclude that we should work peacefully with the Squirtle Squad, I recommend them as our town firefighters."
The villagers agreed and the Squirtle Squad agreed to stop harassing them. Ash was treated like a king, and so were his friends. They got a banquet of any food they wanted. The next day, they left on their bikes.
Ash didn't say anything all morning. Misty and Brock were slightly worried about him. They were only biking at about 7 MPH.
Misty: "Ash, are you okay? You aren't hurt, are you?"
Ash: "No, its not that. Its just..."
Brock: "What?"
Ash: "Well, I wanted to thank Wartortle and say good-bye. But I didn't see him all day. I must look like a really ungrateful person."
Misty: "Remember, Ash. You saved its life first. You don't need to thank Wartortle. But I was hoping he'd join up with you. He seemed really strong." Ash: "I know. He was the most powerful Squirtle I've seen until it evolved. Usually they evolve as soon as they can."
Brock, cocking his head at Ash: "Anything else?"
Ash, sighing: "Well...I also feel guilty. I wanted Wartortle to come with me, instead of wanting it to do what it wants."
Brock, trying to cheer him up: "Well, maybe the feeling is mutual..."
Pikachu's ears perked up as he sat on Ash's head.
Pikachu: "Pika pikachu." 'There's someone following us.'
Ash stopped and swiveled around. So did Misty and Brock. There was Wartortle. He looked tired.
Wartortle: "War tortle." 'Man, I thought I'd never catch up.'
Ash: "Wartortle?? What are you doing here?"
Wartortle, shuffling its feet: "Tle. Wartortle, wartortle." 'Um. I was kinda wondering, maybe I could join up with you, maybe."
Ash: "Really?? Seriously???"
Wartortle: "War war. Wartortle wartortle war." 'Well, yeah. You saved my life, and I have to repay you somehow..."
Ash, looking sideways at Misty: "Deja vu."
Wartortle, looking up at him: "...and you seem really nice, and you know all about how to care for Pokémon, and anyway, I don't feel like a member of my squad anymore anyway.'
Ash: "Why not?"
Wartortle: "Wartortle. Wartortle. Wartortle?" 'I'm not a Squirtle. They say I should go, because I deserve the strongest. So, can I come?'
Ash: "Of course!"
Wartortle put his shades into his shell and jumped onto Ash's handlebars. Then he hugged Ash, brown eyes shining.
Misty: "We're gonna leave you to talk to Wartortle. You can catch up."
They started down the bike path.
Wartortle: "War, wartortle." 'So, give me a summary about you and your friends.'
Ash: "Let's see...I have two Badges, I'm from Pallet, my friends that just left are Brock and Misty, my Pokémon right now are: Charmander, Pikachu, Butterfree, Beedrill, Fearow, Pidgeotto, Venomoth, Farfetch'd, Mankey, Zubat, Clefairy, Paras, Goldeen and Bulbasaur. I only catch one of each of the evolutions, so I wouldn't catch a Squirtle if you joined, another Wartortle, or even a Blastoise."
Pikachu: "Pika, pikachu pika, pikachu." 'In short, he's a really good Trainer that has really strong Pokémon, a friend named Brock, and he has a girlfriend named Misty who he's in love with.'
Ash: "WHAT?!"
Wartortle, ruefully: "War. Tortle war." 'Wow. Some guys got all the luck.'
Ash: "I DENY ALL OF IT!"
Pikachu, ignoring Ash, though grinning: "Pika, pikachu." 'I'm not kidding Wartortle old boy, but I forbid you, Wartortle, to tell Misty, or Ash will release you and I will personally give you a few thousands volts of thunder.'
Wartortle: "War." 'Okay.'
Ash: "BUT-"
Wartortle: "Wartortle, war!" 'Throw the ball, already!'
Ash, chagrined, threw a Pokéball and Wartortle disappeared in a flash of light. Then he sped down after his friends, laughing out loud in joy. At the bottom of the hill, Misty and Brock smiled as they watched Ash.
Ash: "LET'S GO!"
Narrator: "On that note, we end this chapter of Ash's journey. He now has a powerful Water Pokémon on his side, and a powerful faith in his abilities. But who were those two young men back there, and what are they up to??"
James, coming in: "There we go, blasting off again. Do you realize how painful that can be?! I am a human being and I shouldn't have to put up with your inhuman torture any longer!"
Flareon: "James, you're a cartoon character with the right to remain silent. End fic."
Okay, I haven't posted in what seems like ages, and I finally got this up. Anyway, introducing two new characters, Spike and Flare! Who are these mysterious and powerful strangers?? And why do they claim to be the cousins of one of the male characters?? If they really are, are they the cousins of Ash, Brock, or James? DUH!! If you can't figure that one out, you shouldn't be able to read this.
Anyway, Spike and Flare are characters of mine from two different my brother and I worked on. Since he put more effort into those fics, I think Umbreon will be the one to post them up.
Next eppy, its Bill!! What is the mystery at the lighthouse, and how will it effect Ash's Journey?? Believe me, it WILL affect Ash's Journey! Picture this...Ash catches the giant Pokémon from the TV show! Actually, he doesn't, but an encounter will bring them together in a very unique way!
{:FLAREON:}
SAGA 1: THE LEGEND BEGINS
(c) Copyright 2000 by Flareon
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokémon. I wish I did, but I do not. I just write these fanfiction.
{These things} - Means thought or psychic communication.
'Apostrophes' - Means Pokémon language deciphered into human language.
[Brackets] - Means author notes.
TheseStrangeThings - Means change of scene.
Narrator: "Well, our heroes have almost arrived in Torn Town, home of many a peaceful villager. But things may not be peaceful elsewhere. What's up with Ash and his friends?"
Ash: "Episode 12: Surrender to the Squirtle Squad!"
Ash, Brock, and Misty biked peacefully down the road on the way to Vermillion City. They could see Torn Town in the distance. They counted off Pokémon facts as a way to pass the time.
Ash: "Okayyy...Misty! Name the totally evolved form of Dratini."
Misty, giggling: "Ash! These are way too easy!"
Ash, groaning: "I know that! But I don't know what skill level you are! Just answer the question!"
Misty: "Fine then. Dratini's doubly evolved form is Dragonite, silly. And only one has ever been found."
Ash: "Fine. Then name Dragonite's unevolved form, how big its unevolved form is averaged in length and weight, what its usual life span is, what its special non-attack powers are, what the attacks it learns are, when it learns them, what they do, and which special techniques you can usually teach it."
Misty and Brock's mouths dropped open.
Brock: "Good lord! Ash, you know all that stuff?!"
Ash: "Yep. Answer, Misty."
Misty: "Ash, NOBODY KNOWS THAT by memory!! Maybe Professor Oak, but not anyone else! You never could know that!"
Ash, smiling: "Don't call me 'silly', and never say never. An average Dragonair is 13 feet and 1 inch long at full growth. Its average life span is around 40 years. It usually weighs about 36 pounds. It has the power to control the weather and make rain, wind, or other precipitation. After becoming a Dragonair by evolving from Dratini, it learns Slam at level 35, which is an attack where the Pokémon slams down hard, using its weight to smash into the opponent. At level 45, it learns Dragon Rage, which allows it to twist its body, creating a whirlwind which does a set amount of damage against any opponent. At level 55, it learns Hyper Beam, which is a beam of concentrated hyper-charged particles which mix together, creating a powerful laser. It also can become Dragonite at that level. Other attacks it can learn are Toxic, Horn Drill, Body Slam, Take Down, Double-Edge, Bubblebeam, Water Gun, Ice Beam, Blizzard, Rage, Thunderbolt, Thunder, Mimic, Double Team, Reflect, Bide, Fire Blast, Swift, Skull Bash, Rest, Substitute, and Surf [whew]. You can teach it your own techniques, but they are not recorded, and I have no way of knowing how to name them."
Brock's and Misty's mouths were almost to the ground, and they were on bikes.
Ash: "Um, guys, could you please close your mouths? Its disconcerting."
They closed their mouths and just looked at Ash, eyes still wide open.
Ash, closing his eyes: "Stop looking at me!"
They rubbed their heads as if falling out of a trance. Then Brock gave a little laugh.
Brock, weakly chuckling: "Heh heh. Um, Ash, let me guess. You can say the normal accuracy of hitting a target with any one of those attacks when both are the same level, based on the Pokémon type and its stats, right?"
Ash, cheerfully: "Yep."
Misty: "Ash, did it ever occur to you that there are only FIVE RECORDED CAPTURED DRAGONAIR IN THE ENTIRE WORLD??!!"
Ash, blushing: "Well, ye- (yelling) aaaahhh!"
They were falling into a hole. Ash landed first, Brock on top of him and Misty on top of both.
Ash: "OWW! Brock, your bike HURTS!!"
Brock: "Yeah, well SO DOES MISTY'S! Who the HECK did this?!!"
Misty, groaning: "Probably Team Rocket again."
To their surprise, a bunch of blue faces in sunglasses peered down at them, chortling. Then they seemed to leave.
Ash: "Squirtles! They're going to pay for this!"
He grabbed Pikachu and crawled out from under Brock and Misty. Then using his balance and powerful legs, he kicked off the wall to catapulted out of the hole.
The Squirtles looked back with astonishment. They hadn't expected the humans to get out for a while. The biggest one stepped forward, frowning.
Pikachu: "Pika! Pi pika pika!" 'Squirtles! You're going down for that!'
Pikachu let loose an electric spark from his cheeks. One of the Squirtles stepped into it, stopping it from hitting the leader. It was electrified and fell down in a heap. The others stood over it.
Head Squirtle, concerned: "Squitle squirtle?" 'You all right dude?'
Savior Squirtle, weakly: "Squirtle, squirt." 'Not really, man.'
Pikachu stepped forward. The head Squirtle and Pikachu looked at each other for a long time. Ash used the opportunity to check Squirtle's level.
Ash, thinking: Wow! That Squirtle is already level 30! The others seem to be about 24. I wonder why they haven't evolved?
Squirtle chickened out in the end.
Head Squirtle: "Squirt! Squirt squirtle!" 'Grab Boner! Let's get out of here!'
The Squirtles grabbed the fallen Squirtle and ran off. Ash pulled Misty, then Brock out of the hole. They heard a siren and saw a female police officer riding a motorcycle towards them. She stopped in front of the hole. Ash recognized it as the officer from the break-in at Cerulean City.
Officer: "Is everyone okay?"
Ash: "Yes, officer. Um, didn't I run into you back in Cerulean City?"
Officer: "My name is Officer Jenny. I'm sure I have never met you before, young man."
Misty: "Ash, just like the Joys, there are many Officer Jennys, because their good police work runs in the family, and the police force likes to hire them because of their good record. They look just the same as each other as the Joys do."
Brock, blushing: "No! This is the prettiest Officer Jenny I've ever met!"
Jenny, looking flattered: "Why, thank you."
Ash: "Hey, Officer Jenny, why did those Squirtles attack us?"
Jenny: "Well, you see...about 4 years ago, a bunch of Squirtles banded together and started a Pokémon gang. They had all been abandoned by their Trainers. Now they cause mischief to people here in Torn Town. They steal, sabotage, and play other practical jokes. Its actually quite sad, really. Because if they had someone to care for them, they might not have turned out as bad as they did."
They thanked Officer Jenny and went into the Pokémon Center to heal up with Nurse Joy. Then they rode onwards.
Misty: "Hey, guys! This place looks like a great fishing spot! Can we eat here while I look for some more Water Pokémon?"
Brock: "Sure, if its all right with Ash."
Ash: "Sure, why not? I think I'll fish a little too."
Pikachu: "Pi pi!" ' Me three!'
They started eating lunch, with Ash, Pikachu, and Misty setting up their poles.
[Yeah, I gave Ash a collapsible fishing pole. Sue me if you can! :OP]
Jesse, James, and Meowth were watching the group and plotting.
Jesse: "This time we're going to grab that Pikachu!"
James: "Well, I'd say we should grab lunch, first."
Meowth: "I want pizza!"
Jesse whapped them with a fan.
Jesse: "I can't believe this! Am I the only one who wants world domination more than to know what's for lunch?!"
James and Meowth: "Umm, yes?"
Jesse: "You id-"
Jesse's stomach growled. She sported a look of total embarrassment as she pulled out a picnic basket. James and Meowth both danced with joy.
Jesse: "Hmm. Even my stomach says its time for lunch."
Meowth: "We're gonna have a picnic!"
A voice from behind them: "Squir! Squirtle!"
They turned around. There were about six Squirtle behind them. Jesse and James didn't know what the Squirtle had told them.
Jesse: "You guys got a problem?"
Squirtle: "Squirtle!"
James: "I think we should teach these 'tiny turtles' who's boss around here."
Jesse: "I agree, James."
They stepped forward in combat mode. And fell into a pit. A few minutes later, Team Rocket was tied up in a tree, and the Squirtles were eating their lunch.
James: "They're eating all of the pizza!"
Jesse: "Their drinking all of the root beer!...Wait, I might have an idea."
She got the attention of what was apparently the lead Squirtle by his style of sunglasses.
Jesse: "Yo, Squirtle Squad. Our boss would be most appreciative if you let us down and help us get rid of an annoying problem."
The head Squirtle shook them off.
Squirtle: "Squirtle squirtle squirtle."
Meowth: "It said, 'We know humans cannot be trusted'."
James: "Meowth! You'd better fix this."
Meowth: "Now, let me see. (After thinking for a second) Squirtles, these two are my pets."
They looked at him with interest.
James, struggling: "Ohh, you mangy little..."
Meowth, shutting James up with his feet: "Yes, I've trained them, but they're pretty stupid."
Head Squirtle, after some thought: "Tle, squirtle. Squirtle."
They took Meowth down and gave him some pizza and root beer. Meowth was guarded by one of the Squirtles.
James: "Meowth! Get them to take us down!"
Meowth was directed to shut James up.
Meowth, whispering: "Listen. I need to get their trust first, and that's going to take some time."
He rejoined the Squirtles. Pretty soon they had eaten it all.
Meowth: "See? You guys can trust me."
Squirtle, considering: "Squirtle squirt."
Meowth: "Right! So you can help me with a pest problem?"
Squirtle, nodding: "Squir!"
Meowth, smiling wickedly: "Right then. Can you do this?..."
Ash, Pikachu, Brock, and Misty had finished lunch. Now Brock was reading the paper and the others were fishing.
Ash: "Hey, I think I got one!"
Suddenly, one of the Squirtles they had met earlier popped out of the lake and drenched them all.
Ash: "What was that for?! Go, Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu got up from his fishing and Thunderbolted the water, shocking Squirtle. Suddenly, another Squirtle burst out of the bushes and Skull Bashed Pikachu far into the lake. Before Ash could grab at the Squirtle, it disappeared into the water.
Ash: "PIKACHU! SWIM TO THE SHORE!"
Pikachu started swimming. Misty saw the horn of a Goldeen behind it.
Misty: "PIKACHU! DON'T GET STABBED BY GOLDEEN'S HORN ATTACK!"
Pikachu looked at her, then looked behind it. The Goldeen had the force of surprise and whammed Pikachu back to the shore with its horn. Ash started running towards him.
Ash: "PIKACHU!!!"
He was halfway there when the entire Squirtle Squad stepped in front of Pikachu. Meowth appeared and did, too. He slowed. Misty and Brock knew Ash would try to get Pikachu back from the Squirtles, even if they had him outnumbered. They ran to him as fast as they could.
Ash, eyes flaring: "MEOWTH."
Meowth: "Yeah, that's me. Now come with us, or you'll never see Pikachu again. The goyl and squinty guy, too."
Ash looked at Meowth with so much intensity that the talking Pokémon fell back a step. The Squirtle Squad sweatdropped and moved closer to Pikachu as an insurance policy.
Ash, with a really quiet voice that seemed to project itself: "Meowth, let Pikachu go, right now, or I'll-"
He was stepping forward. He suddenly felt a strong and gentle grip on his arms.
Misty: "Ash, don't."
Brock: "Its not worth it. Wait until you hear what they want with us."
Ash looked at Pikachu and his eyes softened. Pikachu was bleeding from the wound on its torso. It was gasping for breath and had its eyes closed tightly.
Pikachu, psychic waves of pain sent outwards: {HURTS. SO MUCH. TOO MUCH. HURTS.)
Misty suddenly hated herself for helping to stop Ash. These Squirtles had to pay for what they did. Either that, or Meowth did. She saw the Squirtles look at Pikachu, eyes widen, then look away.
Head Squirtle: "Squirt squirtle." 'Come with us.'
Ash, straining: "All. Right."
Ash went to pick up Pikachu, but Squirtles did instead, and he growled. Ash, Misty, and Brock followed Meowth.
Meowth, thinking: Jesse and James will get here and we'll grab Pikachu. This is great!
Ash, Brock, and Misty watched Pikachu lying while it slept on the floor of the cave they were trapped in. Ash and Misty could both hear it projecting its emotions, even if they or he didn't want to. Both were tensed to charge to get him, but both held back.
Ash, his voice barely audible: "Guys."
Misty and Brock, also melding in their voices into their breathing so it wouldn't be detectable: "Yes?"
Ash: "I need to get medicine. Now. Stay here and watch Pikachu. Make sure Meowth doesn't take him. (Raising his voice) Squirtles! I need to go get medicine for Pikachu! Let me go to get that!"
Squirtle: "Squirtle. Squirtle." 'We know better. You'll just take off."
Ash glanced at Misty, then Brock.
Ash: "I wouldn't leave my friends behind!"
Squirtle: "Squirtle?" 'How do we know that?'
Ash: "I promise I won't run away! Is that enough?!"
He looked at Pikachu and his face fell. The Squirtles could see two droplets of tears hit the ground below Ash.
Head Squirtle: "Quirt. Squirt squirtle." 'Fine. You have until high noon to be back."
Meowth, walking in: "Or we shave the goyl's head."
Misty: "WHAT??! YOU MANGY LITTLE FUR BALL!! WHEN I GET OUT OF THIS-..."
Ash: "MISTY! Calm down! I'll be back! I just have to get Super Potion for Pikachu in town. I won't let them shave your head. (Muttering, trying to lighten the mood) Though it might look cool..."
Misty, irritated at that: "Ash! All right. (Looking at Pikachu) Hurry."
Ash looked at Pikachu one more time, then looked and ran away. He ran down the road towards Torn Town.
Misty: "Good luck."
Pikachu: "Pika...pi..." 'Asshh..."
Meowth, thinking: {By den we'll be long gone from here. Heh-heh-heh!}
Ash ran his fastest, but couldn't see well as he ran and tripped on a rock, making him fly through the air. In a basic maneuver, he rolled himself in a ball and rolled away. Unfortunately for him, the river leading to the pond was there and he fell from about 12 feet into it. The Goldeen swam by and punctured his buttock. Flying onto the bank, Ash threw a stone at Goldeen in rage. It connected and Goldeen fell onto the opposite bank.
Ash: "Pokéball, go!"
The Pokéball shot at Goldeen, sucked it up, captured it, and returned to Ash's hand while dematerializing to Professor Oak's laboratory. Ash was already running. He dived into the river and swam really quickly to the pond. He got out and jumped onto the shore. Then he set off again, running as fast as he could.
He finally got to a Poké Mart. As he opened the door, some person rudely bumped him aside without noticing, where he fell onto the ground, bumped his head hard, and was knocked out. [In the show, its Gary who bumps him. Now, I'm going to make it so two guys coming through simultaneously. One was as tall as Ash with long spiky red hair, the other a little taller with short spiky blonde hair. They both resemble Ash, but don't look that much alike.]
Jesse and James burst through the Poké Mart door.
Jesse: "We want 59 pounds of flash powder and 2 toothpicks, now!"
James: "Or we'll freeze you with these Ice Blasters!"
Store owner: "What do you want those things for?!"
Jesse: "You want to get rid of the Squirtle Squad, don't you?! The flash powder will scare them back to whatever river they came from. The toothpicks are for our teeth."
The store owner gave them the things. Outside, Ash was waking up.
Jesse: "It's been good doing business with you!"
James: "We'd like to thank you for your cooperation on part of Team Rocket!"
They ran out. Ash finally finished waking up and ran into the store.
Ash: "I need a Super Po-wah! Please don't shoot me!"
About twenty handguns were cocked at him. Officer Jenny burst through the door.
Jenny: "Stop! He's not part of Team Rocket! C'mon Ash, you can ride in my cycle!"
Ash got the medicine and jumped into Jenny's motorcycle.
Jenny: "I'll follow your directions. Now sit tight, hang on, and don't scream!"
She started the motor and went from 0 to 70 in 3 seconds.
Ash: "WAAAAAAAHH!!"
They flew down the road with Ash telling Jenny where to go. They came to a bridge which had been torn down on one side.
Jenny: "This bridge has been out for 3 years. I can't get across, but I know another way into those caves you mentioned from when I was a little girl. We officers have developed a new way of getting to the other side."
They bike along the river until they came to a narrow spot with a ramp on both sides. Jenny revved up the motor and rode onto the ramp, flying 10 feet to the other side of the river. There was an entrance there.
Jenny: "I'm too big to get through, but I think you are still small enough. Good luck. I'll be going around to the main entrance. It'll take about 30 minutes for me to come to your aid."
Ash: "Thanks, Jenny."
He squeezed in. Seeing as he had little light...
Ash: "Go, Charmander! Walk in front of me down this tunnel."
Charmander: "Char char!" 'Sure thing!'
Ash got on his hands and knees and started through the tunnel after Charmander. Halfway through he thought he heard Misty shriek.
Ash: "MISTY!"
He raced along the tunnel after Charmander, hurting himself on sharp stones. When he got to the end he recalled Charmander. Seeing no one in the cave where they were, not even Pikachu, he ran outside. He saw Meowth and the Squirtles.
Ash: "What did you do with Misty?! I said I'd come back at high noon and I did!"
Misty, from over to the side: "Ash, calm down!"
Ash: "Misty?"
Brock: "Yeah, so did you get the Super Potion?"
Ash, rushing over: "Yeah, here." He took out the Super Potion and sprayed it on Pikachu. Magically, Pikachu's wounds started to heal.
Ash: "Well Misty, you still have your hair."
Misty: "Yep. I'm still the same old red head!"
Ash, not meaning it: "Darn."
Misty: "WHAT?!"
Ash: "Uh, didn't say nothin'."
Meowth, thinking: {Where's Jesse and James already?}
As if on cue, the Meowth balloon floated into sight.
Jesse: "Prepare for trouble!"
James: "And make it double!"
Jesse: "To protect the world from devastation!"
James: "To unite all people within our nation!"
Jesse: "To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
James: "To extend our reach to the stars above!"
Jesse: "Jesse!"
James: "James!"
Jesse: "Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"
James: "Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
Jesse: "Hey, squirt-toys, get a load of this!"
She tossed down some flash bombs they had fashioned.
James, letting down the rope latter: "Meowth, grab Pikachu!"
Meowth grabbed Pikachu and jumped onto the ladder. The flash bombs landed with a small explosion, making the Squirtle Squad scatter. On landed right on the leader's shell, blasting him into the cave. Another one followed after the Squirtle.
Ash: "Squirtle!!"
He ran into the cave. Inside, he saw Squirtle shaking its head near the far wall. He also saw a flashbomb flying towards Squirtle.
Ash: "Squirtle, look OUT!!"
He dived onto Squirtle, who was still too dazed to think. The bomb his Ash's back, blasting him into the wall with Squirtle. Then, that coupled with another one hitting another wall started a cave-in. The whole thing seemed to collapse (even if it only looked that way from the outside).
Misty: "AAASSHHH!!!"
Pikachu, recovered enough to yell: "PIIIIKAA PIII!!!" 'AAASSHHH!!!'
Brock: "Oh, no!! ASH!!"
Inside, Ash was knocked unconscious by the 200 pounds of rock hitting his back.
Squirtle woke up underneath something heavy. He crawled out from under it. His shell ached. The human he remembered who had saved him was pinned to the ground under a big rock. Squirtle tried to get it off, but didn't succeed. Frowning deeply, it looked where they were.
It was a chamber full of fallen rock. Squirtle recognized the wall as where the entrance to the cave used to be. He tried to move the rocks, but again, his arms weren't quite strong enough. The sides of the walls sloped inward, making it impossible to climb. Squirtle heard the human groan.
Squirtle, jumping to Ash's side: "Squirtle, squir?!" 'Are you okay, man?!'
Ash: "What? Oh, hi, Squirtle. Are you okay?"
Squirtle: "Squir! Squirtle. Squirtle?" 'I'm fine! You saved me. Again, are you okay?'
Ash: "I think so. But my back really hurts, and I can't move. Something heavy is on top of me. I can't reach my Pokéballs." Squirtle: "Squirtle squirtle. Squir squirtle squirt." 'I can't get you out. Uh oh, the air supply is running out.'
Ash: "Well, looks like its the end of my journey. Try to get yourself out, Squirtle."
Squirtle: "Squirtle squirt!" 'Not until I get you out!'
Ash: "No! You've got to get yourself out! Forget me, your whole Squad depends on you! Too bad it turned out this way, though. We could have been friends. Man, I just wish I could tell Misty that...I......luh-..."
Squirtle: "Squirtle squirt! Squirtle squirt squirtle!" 'You saved my life! I'm not leaving until you can leave too!'
Ash didn't respond. He had fallen back into unconsciousness. Squirtle tried and tried, but the human just wouldn't wake up. Squirtle decided to try to find a way to get more air. He found the weakest part of the wall and used his most powerful Water Gun attack. The wall got wet, and a stone moved, but nothing else happened. He still wasn't powerful enough.
Squirtle looked at the Trainer. For a human, he seemed an attractive breed. That, of course, didn't matter to Pokémon. He tried to remember what the name was. It started with an "A" and had something to do with trees or charcoal. Ashley? No, Ash. That was it. Ash had saved Squirtle's life, even though Squirtle had been so mean to Ash. Ash was a really caring person. Squirtle would be proud to be Ash's Squirtle.
Suddenly, Squirtle gasped. He was just a Squirtle now! There was a way out of this! He was high-level for a Squirtle, too. It all made sense. Ash would want him on his team, and they could get out if he just...
Yes. Squirtle started flashing.
Misty and Brock were petrified. Ash was probably hurt, or dead.
Misty: "Brock! Get Pikachu back! I need to help Ash!"
Brock understood and nodded grimly, and Misty ran over to the blocked mouth of the cave. The Squirtle Squad was already there, trying to dig out their leader. Misty sent her Pokémon that could help out. Pretty soon, Stayu, Starmie, Gyarados, Charmander, Misty, and the Squirtle Squad were trying to get the rocks away. But it would take at least 2 hours, they reckoned. Not enough time, unless someone else dug from the other side. Team Rocket started floating silently away. Brock didn't notice, he was too concerned for his friend.
Suddenly, a huge, extremely powerful-looking jet of fire flew from the trees. Brock heard it, and bolted around. Team Rocket yelled and hugged each other, and all four stared where the fire had come from.
Standing in the trees were two young men, both appearing to be near the age Ash and Misty were. They were side by side, each gazing with mirrored expressions of placidity at the scene. The taller one had short, spiky blonde hair, the other had spiky red hair that sailed upwards on the top and out at the bangs. In front of the red-haired kid was a large Flareon. Brock never recalled seeing a Flareon looking quite as powerful as that one. Team Rocket wailed.
Jesse: "We're getting nowhere!"
James: "And getting there fast!"
Meowth: "Shut up, you two!"
Blonde kid, sounding annoyed: "Just shut up and hand over that Pikachu, Rockets!"
His voice had a crystal-clear pitch, with a voice slightly deeper than Ash's (with a tone akin to Gary's). The red-haired kid nodded.
James picked Pikachu up and handed him to Brock.
Brock, unnerved by the pair of kids: "Onix, guard them and make sure they don't escape."
Brock held Pikachu and stared at the kids.
Red-haired kid, in a crisp yet warm voice: "Blaze, return!"
They stood for a second, then turned, and walked away. Brock started. These Trainers were certainly powerful enough to get Ash out from the rocks.
Brock, running after them: "Hey, wait!!"
They were gone. [When ghosts or phantoms or whatever in anime shows turn to leave, they disappear into white mist. That's what these two did. They walked away, then faded into whiteness.] Brock skidded to a halt, dismayed. Then, he went back, wondering about them.
He set Pikachu down in soft grass and went to help the excavation team. With his and his Geodude and 4 Zubats, progress was quicker but only at an end total of an hour. As they worked, the Squirtles saw Misty's eyes slowly fill with tears. They stayed quiet. They knew she thought her boyfriend wasn't going to make it. They might cry if they didn't get their leader out.
Misty, thinking to herself: {Ash, if you're alive, hold on!}
The two teens walked though the brush, obviously used to traveling through dense woods. After awhile, the red-haired one spoke.
Red-haired kid: "Maybe we should have helped them, Spike."
(Spike?), gazing straight-ahead not wavering: "He'll be fine, Flare."
(Flare?), curious: "Why did we start following him back at Torn Town in the first place?"
Spike, grimacing: "I needed to check to see if he was strong yet..."
Flare, raising an eyebrow: "And?"
Spike, musing: "I suppose he isn't weak, but definitely not powerful enough to help us in our cause."
Flare, quietly: "Maybe he never will be..."
Spike, with a small smile: "Oh, I think our cousin might surprise us yet..."
They continued on, both lost in their own thoughts.
Ash awoke to a lightening of weight on his back. He could hardly breathe now, and it was very hot. Dust blocked his vision, making his eyes sting.
Ash: "What's going on? Squirtle?"
A voice: "War, wartortle." 'Sorry, Squirtle is no longer with us."
Ash, gasping sharply, making him wince: "Squirtle?! Is that you?? Did you evolve??!"
He could see a large Wartortle in the gloom.
Wartortle: "Wartortle. War? Wartortle." 'Yeah, I used to be Squirtle. Cool, huh? I feel stronger, and I was able to get the rocks off of you.'
Ash: "Awesome! But I can't last long. There's hardly any air left, and if I sent a Pokémon, the air would just vanish."
Wartortle: "War tortle." 'Stand back and take a deep breath.'
Ash did. Wartortle inhaled very deeply and the rest of the air practically vanished. Then Wartortle sent a stream of now liquid hydrogen at the once entrance. It was a Water Blast attack, Ash recognized. About three times stronger than a Water Gun. Its only disadvantage was that it used up a Pokémon's energy ridiculously quickly. Wartortle was using all of its strength right now, using its ultimate attack. As the stream kept going, the rocks and wall started to move. Suddenly, the whole wall of fallen stone blasted outwards and Wartortle collapsed. Ash saw a very surprised Misty and some shocked Squirtles. Brock looked at him alarmingly.
Misty, as if hardly daring to believe it: "Ash?..."
Ash: "Hey, guys."
Onix had turned to the scene and Jesse seized the advantage, throwing a flashbomb at the group of people and Pokemon. Only Ash and Wartortle saw it.
Ash: "Wartortle, Bubble, now!"
Wartortle had strength back and the Bubbles it exhaled made the flashbomb explode in midair. A spark which no one saw landed on some dry tinder.
Ash: "Wartortle, Water Gun!"
Wartortle sent forth a stream of water that sent Team Rocket into space.
Team Rocket: "Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaaiinnnn!..."
Ash: "Great job!"
Wartortle: "Wartortle!" 'The forest's on fire!'
Everyone else: "Huh?!"
They looked where Wartortle pointed and, sure enough, a fire had started where the spark hit the tinder.
Ash: "Wartortle, Water Gun! You too, Squirtles!"
They nodded and soon the fire was out. Officer Jenny saw the whole thing as she rode towards them. She took them back to Torn Town. She told all of the villagers what happened.
Jenny: "...And so, I conclude that we should work peacefully with the Squirtle Squad, I recommend them as our town firefighters."
The villagers agreed and the Squirtle Squad agreed to stop harassing them. Ash was treated like a king, and so were his friends. They got a banquet of any food they wanted. The next day, they left on their bikes.
Ash didn't say anything all morning. Misty and Brock were slightly worried about him. They were only biking at about 7 MPH.
Misty: "Ash, are you okay? You aren't hurt, are you?"
Ash: "No, its not that. Its just..."
Brock: "What?"
Ash: "Well, I wanted to thank Wartortle and say good-bye. But I didn't see him all day. I must look like a really ungrateful person."
Misty: "Remember, Ash. You saved its life first. You don't need to thank Wartortle. But I was hoping he'd join up with you. He seemed really strong." Ash: "I know. He was the most powerful Squirtle I've seen until it evolved. Usually they evolve as soon as they can."
Brock, cocking his head at Ash: "Anything else?"
Ash, sighing: "Well...I also feel guilty. I wanted Wartortle to come with me, instead of wanting it to do what it wants."
Brock, trying to cheer him up: "Well, maybe the feeling is mutual..."
Pikachu's ears perked up as he sat on Ash's head.
Pikachu: "Pika pikachu." 'There's someone following us.'
Ash stopped and swiveled around. So did Misty and Brock. There was Wartortle. He looked tired.
Wartortle: "War tortle." 'Man, I thought I'd never catch up.'
Ash: "Wartortle?? What are you doing here?"
Wartortle, shuffling its feet: "Tle. Wartortle, wartortle." 'Um. I was kinda wondering, maybe I could join up with you, maybe."
Ash: "Really?? Seriously???"
Wartortle: "War war. Wartortle wartortle war." 'Well, yeah. You saved my life, and I have to repay you somehow..."
Ash, looking sideways at Misty: "Deja vu."
Wartortle, looking up at him: "...and you seem really nice, and you know all about how to care for Pokémon, and anyway, I don't feel like a member of my squad anymore anyway.'
Ash: "Why not?"
Wartortle: "Wartortle. Wartortle. Wartortle?" 'I'm not a Squirtle. They say I should go, because I deserve the strongest. So, can I come?'
Ash: "Of course!"
Wartortle put his shades into his shell and jumped onto Ash's handlebars. Then he hugged Ash, brown eyes shining.
Misty: "We're gonna leave you to talk to Wartortle. You can catch up."
They started down the bike path.
Wartortle: "War, wartortle." 'So, give me a summary about you and your friends.'
Ash: "Let's see...I have two Badges, I'm from Pallet, my friends that just left are Brock and Misty, my Pokémon right now are: Charmander, Pikachu, Butterfree, Beedrill, Fearow, Pidgeotto, Venomoth, Farfetch'd, Mankey, Zubat, Clefairy, Paras, Goldeen and Bulbasaur. I only catch one of each of the evolutions, so I wouldn't catch a Squirtle if you joined, another Wartortle, or even a Blastoise."
Pikachu: "Pika, pikachu pika, pikachu." 'In short, he's a really good Trainer that has really strong Pokémon, a friend named Brock, and he has a girlfriend named Misty who he's in love with.'
Ash: "WHAT?!"
Wartortle, ruefully: "War. Tortle war." 'Wow. Some guys got all the luck.'
Ash: "I DENY ALL OF IT!"
Pikachu, ignoring Ash, though grinning: "Pika, pikachu." 'I'm not kidding Wartortle old boy, but I forbid you, Wartortle, to tell Misty, or Ash will release you and I will personally give you a few thousands volts of thunder.'
Wartortle: "War." 'Okay.'
Ash: "BUT-"
Wartortle: "Wartortle, war!" 'Throw the ball, already!'
Ash, chagrined, threw a Pokéball and Wartortle disappeared in a flash of light. Then he sped down after his friends, laughing out loud in joy. At the bottom of the hill, Misty and Brock smiled as they watched Ash.
Ash: "LET'S GO!"
Narrator: "On that note, we end this chapter of Ash's journey. He now has a powerful Water Pokémon on his side, and a powerful faith in his abilities. But who were those two young men back there, and what are they up to??"
James, coming in: "There we go, blasting off again. Do you realize how painful that can be?! I am a human being and I shouldn't have to put up with your inhuman torture any longer!"
Flareon: "James, you're a cartoon character with the right to remain silent. End fic."
Okay, I haven't posted in what seems like ages, and I finally got this up. Anyway, introducing two new characters, Spike and Flare! Who are these mysterious and powerful strangers?? And why do they claim to be the cousins of one of the male characters?? If they really are, are they the cousins of Ash, Brock, or James? DUH!! If you can't figure that one out, you shouldn't be able to read this.
Anyway, Spike and Flare are characters of mine from two different my brother and I worked on. Since he put more effort into those fics, I think Umbreon will be the one to post them up.
Next eppy, its Bill!! What is the mystery at the lighthouse, and how will it effect Ash's Journey?? Believe me, it WILL affect Ash's Journey! Picture this...Ash catches the giant Pokémon from the TV show! Actually, he doesn't, but an encounter will bring them together in a very unique way!
{:FLAREON:}