Author's Note:
Here it is, the introduction of a Pokémon. Were in a stretch where all the trainers within our group will get a new Pokémon, and a lot of them I've been looking forward too so hope you like the upcoming additions. I won't spoil who the title-Pokémon goes too but... it seems to be a fan favourite for this character and the episode this chapter is based on is probably why. I've tried to make it as unique as possible, but this chapter is pretty similar to the episode. I have tried to throw in some world building, specifically around the rangers, hope you like it. I will say, I see this being a turning point in my series. I based my series off another fanfiction which was discontinued. They did their own version of this chapter, which was the last full chapter before being discontinued. Obviously, there have been many differences on our individual journey's but from this point on... it feels different, difficult to explain. Like setting off on a new journey myself. It's sort of like the start of a new era, here's hoping it continues down a strong path. Don't forget to vote in the poll and with that, let's begin!
Chapter Thirty-Four: True Blue Swablu
Her eyes burst open. A flash of lightening shot across the sky, clearly the source of the ear-bursting roar. Dark clouds blocked the stary sky and strong winds blew, threatening to uproot her from the nest. Hard drops of ran scratched her body as she tried to see her friends or family.
A second boom echoed. She fell sideways as orange flashes surrounded her. Smashing into the ground, she looked around at the burning forest.
Pushing herself up, a burning branch fell beside her. Running straight ahead, she tried to flap her wings. Hopping off the ground, she tried to take off.
Glancing up to the sky, she saw several members of her flock, both Altaria and other Swablu flying away. She tried to cry out, but the thick black smoke covered them up. Coughing heavily, she crashed back down into the ground, skidding right in front of a burning tree.
Her eyes widened and trembled with tears. Almost tripping as she scattered across the ground, the ground shook as the burning corpse smashed down.
Being thrown into a nearby rock, she frantically looked around. The entire sky was pitch-black with smoke. All the trees and plants were burning bright red, leaving a pool of sweat over her entire body.
"Squad four, contain the spread," a male voice called out, "squad three, run in and see if there's anyone trapped."
Coughing again, the world began to spin. As the darkness settled in around her, she caught a final glimpse of some sort of green Pokémon with a lily pad on its head. The image of her family being the last thought as the smoke inhalations finally dragged her into unconsciousness.
May smiled as she glanced down at the ribbon case in her hands. The two prizes from her victorious contests sat on the left side, one above the other. Her skin started to shake in anticipation as she realised how far she already was to earning enough to compete. Just under halfway to the grand festival.
"Man," her brother sighed, "I wonder what happened here."
Looking up from the case, she found a grey ground covered in ash. Several trunks of trees stood, barely, completely burnt and chark, barely taller than herself. Closing her eyes, she flicked the case close. Listening... no sounds could be heard. Last time the wildlife was this quiet was when Taillow's flock controlled the area, but she somehow doubted this was a similar situation.
"Remember that thunderstorm a couple nights back?" Serena asked, "I bet this was caused then."
"Yeah," Brock nodded, "it's a real shame. Hopefully, all the Pokémon made it out on time."
She lowered her head but glanced around to see the others in similar states. The colour draining from their faces and shimmering moist eyes. Her brother, imparticular, had a tear escape down his cheek. Struggling to swallow with the lump in the back of her throat, she put her ribbon case away.
As she looked back up, the light patter of feet drew her attention. Glancing around, she saw the others looking around, but no-one could be seen. She opened her mouth to say something, but her foot was pushed up. Stumbling backwards, she found a Pokémon having popped up underneath her. It looked like three brown fingers, each with a simplistic face, other than a round pink nose.
"Tio," he sang in unison.
"Cool, a Dugtrio!" Max beamed, "I never thought one would be out here!"
"They aren't exactly native to the Hoenn region, but they do live in mountain ranges," Brock mused.
"Trio, Dugtrio!"
"He wants us to follow him," Ash spoke up, as the pure ground type shuffled away across the ground. They glanced between each other and silently agreed to do as the Pokémon requested. Walking at a steady pace, she pulled out her Pokédex to scan him:
Dugtrio, The Mole Pokémon. The final evolved form of Kantonian Dugtrio. Despite the closeness between this Pokémon and farmers and other people, no one has ever seen the parts of it concealed underground. If you find a nesting ground of this species, the earth is sure to be fertile
Glancing up from the device, she caught sight of another Pokémon in the sky. It was a large, prehistoric-like Pokémon with a brown body wrapped in green leaves on its chest and head. With large, broad green leaves on the back, which seemed to act as wings, it was blowing powerful gusts, clearing away ash and destroyed tree trunks. It also had a long neck with a thin black line around it. Under the chin, a bunch of banana's seemed to hang. She smiled and scanned the unusual Pokémon with her device:
Tropius, The Fruit Pokémon. The bunches of fruit around Tropius's neck are very popular with children. This Pokémon loves fruit and eats it continuously. Apparently, its love for fruit resulted in its own outgrowth of fruit. After tropical storms, they visit islands to provide fruit to people and Pokémon stranded
"Tropius is so awesome!" Max shouted, "it's one thing to read about it in books and another to actually see it in person."
"But what's it doing?" she found herself asking.
"If I had to guess, Tropius and Dugtrio likely have the same trainer," Brock mused, "while they are native to Hoenn, they tend to live on islands in the ocean or close to the eastern coast. And it looks like it's clearing away the debris left from the fire."
"So, you think they're working as a team?" Max asked.
"It's more than just them," Serena smiled.
Turning ahead, she found the ground type intermingled with several other Pokémon. One she recognized as a Roserade, which they met back in the flower shop and another being a Shiftry. With a large, pale blue tent set up nearby and a smaller lime-green one next to it. With a man stood beside them, dressed in the typical ranger gear with short green hair under his brown cap. Probably in his mid-twenties, he had a small smile on his face as he approached.
"Hello," he greeted, "who are you kids?"
"Hi, I'm Ash," he replied with a wide smile, "and these are Serena, Pikachu, Brock, May and Max. We were just passing through on our way to meteor fall's."
"I'm Morita," he smiled, "and I'm the ranger in charge of preserving this area. You see, a few nights ago a thunderstorm struck and set off a forest fire."
"We saw," Brock nodded, "I'm guessing your Pokémon here are your team for preserving this land."
"Right," he nodded, "Dugtrio helps us prepare the soil. Making the ideal environment to encourage growth. Roserade and Shiftry help with replanting the area, whilst Tropius and Shiftry clear the area before we begin."
"So, you only need this one team rather than several of each Pokémon?" Max asked.
"It's about working smarter, not bigger," he smiled, "not as many go into the ranger academy as once thought so specialists, such as myself, are encouraged to build a team of six who can work effectively for the job at hand."
"Shiftry, Tropius, Dugtrio, Roserade," she counted aloud, "but you've only got four Pokémon."
"I've got a couple more. Quagsire and Beedrill, to be precise," he smiled, "but neither of them is needed at this stage."
"What roles do they have?" Max asked.
"Quagsire would help if we have a water source within the damaged area. Remove debris and ash out, check on the Pokémon bound there," he explained, scratching the back of his head, "and Beedrill handles the post planting process. Pollenating the shrubbery and starting up that process."
"Whoa," she gasped, "it sounds like this sort of job would take a while."
"It's actually a relatively small area. Twelve or thirteen miles in a circle," he shrugged, "so it should only take three or four weeks."
"That still seems like a long time," she mumbled.
"I've had bigger forest fires to handle. I was actually based in Kalos for a couple years and one of their forests took six months to repair," he laughed, "and there were actually five teams working on that one. It's actually quite impressive we completed that one so quickly as well."
"What other roles do rangers have?" Max asked.
"There are those who are action teams. The one's who'll first respond to fires in the wild, landslides, rescues out at sea," he smiled, "specialists also relates to the environments they can attend too. As you can imagine, my team's hardly built for missions over the oceans."
"So, I imagine that action unites are the first responders," Brock questioned, "which makes me wonder what other responses there are."
"There are three levels of response," he nodded, "like you said, action teams go in first and deal with situations as they happen. Whether it's forest fires, tropical storms, landslides or really any natural disaster. They have the job of ensuring no-one, person, or Pokémon, are injured. Minimising the damage to the wildlife and handling anything else which pops up."
"So, what would your role be classed as?" Max asked.
"I'm a part of the repair unite," he smiled, "we're second in or short-termers. We go in after the main cause has been handled. Provide a safe place for the Pokémon who were caught in the disaster and rehouse them. We repair the damage caused and end up spending short terms within the affected area."
"But what about the no-catch zones or other ranger parks?" Serena asked, "I remember we ran into one up near silver town in Johto."
"Those rangers fall under long term positions. In charge of the given area, whether it's a no-catch zone or hunting down poachers," he replied, "or maybe even the damage caused is so extensive the habitat needs long term care."
"What decides a no catch zone?" Max asked, "or even a safari zone?"
"Both are protected areas with strict rules over catching but a safari zone is more of a business meant for fun," he explained, "while the courts can outline no-catch zones because of hunter involvement or an endangered species needing help to repopulate. Or some other reason. Either way, it outlines a portion of land or sea where any sort of catching is forbidden. Again, the ranger's for these areas are long term positions."
"Man," Ash sighed, rubbing the back of his head, "there's so much to being a ranger. I didn't realise how many difference even rangers could have."
"It's more than just a profession, it's an entire lifestyle," Morita nodded, "but I think that's enough for now. I'm sure you've got places to go and as you can see, we've got a lot of work to do. I can have Dugtrio escort you off, out of the damaged area."
"Actually, I wouldn't mind learning more from you," Ash shrugged, "it's interesting. Maybe we could help you out. Even if just for today."
"Well, I suppose that wouldn't hurt," he smiled, "do you have any Pokémon that you think could help with this?"
May watched Ash take out his Pokédex and do the old rotation with one of his Pokéballs. One by one, he released his line-up. The first being Meganium, who he called over. It made sense, given how she helped Treecko's tree back in Petalburg woods. Joining her was Pikachu, obviously, Taillow, Grovyle, Corphish and Kirlia. Glancing to the side, she saw Brock release his current line of, Shuckle, Vigoroth, Aron, Mudkip, Electrike and Trapinch. While Serena also made a rotation in her team, releasing, Sylveon, Murkrow, Cacnea, Dustox, Meditite, Ralts and a strange Pokémon she can't recall even seeing before.
The new Pokémon had a round, blue body, with red beady eyes, two small, round feet, and a small tail. Three cotton puffs, the size of her main body, almost as large as the body itself, extended off: one on each arm, and one on the top of her head. While four leaves grew out of the base of the top puff. She held her device out to scan Serena's new addition:
Jumpluff, The Cottonweed Pokémon. The final evolved form of Hoppip. Jumpluff rides warm southern winds to cross the sea and fly to foreign lands. The Pokémon descends to the ground when it encounters cold air while it is floating
"Heh, Jumpluff is pretty cute," she smiled, putting the device away.
One by one, she took out her own Pokéballs and released her team off: Combusken, Beautifly, Poochyena, Mawile, Minun and Skitty. The dark type and normal type took off across the ground, chasing each other in some sort of game. Minun climbed up and perched herself on her shoulder, as Beautifly landed atop her head. Combusken, despite standing beside her, had his arms crossed and turned to the side with eyes shut. Mawile held her hand and stood the other side.
"Well, this is quiet the collection of Pokémon you've all got," Morita smiled, "alright, Meganium, Grovyle, Jumpluff and Cacnea can go with Roserade to start the rejuvenation process. Kirlia, Vigoroth, Sylveon, Aron and Combusken can go with Shiftry who'll start clearing the next patch we'll be working on."
"What are you going to do?" Serena asked.
"I'm gonna grab Beedrill and go back to the first area we cleared. It's time to start pollonisation," he explained, "we need all the bug types for this so we could use the help of Shuckle, Dustox and Beautifly. And you can pick which team you wish to follow yourselves."
"I'd like to chat some more about the rangers," Ash smiled, "if that's alright."
"Of course," he nodded, "and the rest of you?"
"I actually need to change Electrike's bandages," Brock explained, cradling the electric type in his arms, "but we could cook up some lunch after."
"Nice," he smiled, "feel free to use the medical tent. I've only got one patient at the moment from this job but as long as you don't disturb her, it'll be the best place around here for you to safely change them." He blinked, glancing down at the ground. "I-is your Trapinch wearing a chef's hat?"
"Tra," he mumbled, licking his jagged lips.
"Hehehe, yeah," Brock chuckled, "while we normal take it in turns cooking, I've been doing it more than not recently because Trapinch enjoys it."
"Pinch," the ground nodded, with extra enthusiasm. She couldn't help but giggle at the silly little guy.
"Right, well," Morita stumbled, "the same goes for all of you. We've got plenty of medical supplies and a landscape like this can be pretty dangerous."
"Why isn't it sealed off then?" May asked, "we've seen dangerous locations get sealed off before."
"Because the first ranger on scene has to make a risk level," he explained, "it's based on the terrain, likelihood further dangers will arise and the situation as a whole. All things considered, the worst to happen here is cuts and scratches on the debris. It's not like we're at risk of the ashes turning back into flames."
"I think I'll stick with the grass types," Serena smiled, "it'll be nice to catch up with Jumpluff again."
"I'll go with the debris team then," May added, "what about you, Max?"
"I dunno, I want to see all the Pokémon so badly!" he exclaimed, "how can you expect me to choose?!"
"Then don't," Morita shrugged, "you could just spend some time with each of us. But we should we're get going, we're burning day light!"
He set off with Ash and the team of bug types. Holding a Pokéball out, he released a rather large yellow and black Pokémon with three large stingers. Her eyes widened as she turned to the side. She'll gladly keep away from that thing. Regaining her breath, she watched Serena and the team of grass types set off into a small dirt field. While the other assortment of Pokémon named moved over towards Tropius.
With a deep breath, she followed suit. The large grass flying type instructed the collection of Pokémon. Vigoroth gave a nod and charged forward, swinging his arms around to smash up a small collection of tree stumps. Charred bark and ashes covered the ground around him. Kirlia stepped forward next and sent out a wave of ESP. Engulfing the destroyed debris with psychic type energy, she created a small pile. Aron moved over and coated his body in a shimmering effect, smashing down on the pile until it was just a part of the earth.
Glancing to the side, she saw Sylveon send out a strong wind with a pink tint. Blowing threw a second section of charred trees, it destroyed them. Collecting them with her feelers, she cleared up the area into her own pile.
She scoffed at thought, but it seems Pokémon do take after their trainers. Sylveon seems to do all the jobs by herself, without the need for help.
Setting off on her own, she watched her fire fighting type swipe his way through another section of trees and remains. Moving in, she kneeled and started picking up the debris. Looking at the pile in her arms, she knew she wasn't nearly as efficient as the Pokémon but every little helps. Setting the pile down, her starter's feet glew white with an orange-tint. Stomping down on the pile, he pummelled them down into the ground.
Smiling, she realised that this was what the other's meant. She kneeled down and started collecting her next pile. Working with Combusken might be the first step in overcoming his attitude issues since evolving.
"Ah," she withdrew her hand.
Looking down, she found a cut on the inner part of her hand. Shaking her hand, she placed the pile down for her starter to destroy. Showing him the small injury, she set off across the restoration ground. Brock was already out, his Electrike lying on a blanket next to him. While he and Trapinch seemed to be setting up the cooking utensils. Shaking her head, she refocused on her destination, the tent near the middle of the sight.
Stepping inside of the tent, she glanced around at the surprisingly spacious. A small table sat in the centre with a Pokémon sat on top of it. It appeared to be a bird with a round pale-blue body, with no discernible neck, it's body appeared to be all head. There were two long feathers on top of the head, and it had a short, rounded white beak. Two beady black eyes located just above. Two wings spread out, being fluffy white and resembling cotton or clouds. It had tiny, white feet and two-pointed tail feather's floating behind.
Hopping closer, she stared into the beady black eyes. Her feet seemed to have a mind of their own as she closed the gap. Kneeling down, she came eye to eye with the blue bird. Tilting it's head to the side, a pin could've been heard within the silent exchange.
"Swa Swablu, Swablu blu," the bird sang. May felt her eyes get heavy as the song continued. Soon they fluttered shut as she slumped down onto the ground.
Blinking. She groaned in annoyance. A bright light above her head blinded her vision. Raising a hand to block it out, she saw that she was lying down in the tent, the light being a lantern dangling from the ceiling. A white bandage was wrapped around her hand.
"Oh, your awake."
Pushing herself up, she turned to see the source of the sound being Serena. She was sat a little bit away on the floor, reading some sort of book. Using her telekinesis, she closed it and lifted it up onto one of the tables. Standing up, she offered a hand to her. Accepting the gesture, she was pulled to her feet.
"What happened?" she groaned.
"The Pokémon Morita told us about, his patient was a Swablu who seemed to have used sing on you," she explained, "we heard the muffled sound from here and came to investigate. We agreed you'd probably feel more comfortable if I stayed to keep an eye on you instead of one of the guys."
"Thanks," she muttered, glancing at her bandaged hand.
"I also saw the cut on your hand and figured that was why you came in here," she smiled, "so I patched it up and did a little light mind communication to encourage you out of the sleep."
Nodding in understanding, she stood up and followed her way out. The honey-blonde girl right behind her. As she stepped foot outside, she found the range sat beside Brock, cradling the cotton-winged bird from before. He smiled and approached as she looked at the little one in his arms.
"Your awake," he smiled, "how are you feeling."
"Weird," she muttered, "why did it use that move on me to put me to sleep anyway."
"Swa?" the bird tilted their head to the side, blinking with faked innocence.
"If I had to guess," he mused, "you got to close to her. Sing was likely her way to defend herself and speaking to Brock, he never gave her a second a look whilst changing Electrike's bandages. You were found right in front of her resting place, after all."
"Heh," she scoffed, crossing her arms, "I wasn't going to do anything."
"Maybe not but Swablu hardly knew that," he replied, "you see, my fellow ranger found her in the dirt. Trapped by a fallen tree which was on fire. Luckily, they had the flames out before any serious burns could be inflicted but that hardly means damage was avoided completely."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Obviously, the blow from the tree would've hurt and she seemed to have trouble breathing," he sighed, "probably from the thumes inhaled during the ordeal, and her wings were badly damaged. She's been unable to fly since her rescue."
"Still doesn't explain why she'd used sing on me," she grumbled, crossing her arms.
"Her flock, her family, are gone. They're halfway across the ocean to Unova by now," he replied, "so she's injured and alone. Going through an experience like this, well, I'd be more surprised if she didn't have some sort of issues."
"So, what's going to happen to her?" Serena asked.
"In situations like this, all I can do is make sure she's healed properly then release her back into the wild," he sighed, stroking the top of her head, "you see, Altaria flocks fly to Unova to hatch eggs and then circle back to Hoenn to let them out on their own. The fire must've sped up the leaving cycle and this Swablu wasn't sure whether to do it this time or next. Should she still have issues by the time the restoration is finished, I'll pass her onto the local Nurse Joy."
"Speaking of Nurse Joy, and Officer Jenny," Max pipped up, "isn't it weird they are all the same. Like look the same and have the same name?"
"Hehehe, actually Max, that's not the case," Brock smiled, "you see, the name Joy and Jenny are titles more than actual names. They also dress the same way to protect their identities. It's more reassuring for people having to visit a new place, to have someone they feel like they can know."
"Obviously, they've all been trained up to the appropriate level for the role," Morita added, "I just hope she'll be able to help this one, should it come to it."
Smiling to herself, she approached the ranger and the small bird in his arms. Kneeling down, she came to an eye level with the bird. Brock always made sure he was at an eye level with Electrike to make him feel safe and secure. Offering a small smile, she leaned in close to the cotton-winged Pokémon, "hello-"
"Swa!" She thrusted her beak forward. Stabbing her in the nose.
Grasping her face, she fell backwards and cried out in pain. Rubbing the sore part, she glanced up to the bird, "I was just saying hello!"
"blu," she scoffed, flicking her head to the side.
Letting go of her face, she pushed herself up and stared at the bird once more. Seeing her quickly move to stab her with the beak once more, she leaned back, out of reach. Staring into the beady eyes, she saw them narrow moments before looking to the side again.
Sighing in defeat, she hung her head down to the ground. Shaking her head, she stood back up and turned around. Her hand fell to her belt as she walked away. It hardly matters if Swablu likes her or not. She should focus on her next appeals performance and battling skill.
All her team, part from Skitty, have competed. Now she shouldn't have an issue winning the next three ribbons for her case!
"If you wouldn't mind, Morita, in a bit I could check over Swablu's wings," Brock offered, "you see, I'm trying to learn all about medicine and my friends and myself have caught quite a few Pokémon like her over our travels. Pidgeot, Noctowl, Murkrow, Taillow, Crobat. Just to name a few."
"I'd appreciate the help," he smiled, "despite being a ranger, first aid was never my speciality. I just leave Roserade to that stuff and help where needed."
Pikachu smiled as he stretched his back. Glancing at the ground in front of him.
The two playful Pokémon, Skitty and Poochyena were lying down on their stomach's, completely exhausted from the little game of chase. Why does he end up with baby-sitting duty anyway? Probably because his electric moves would re-start the fire but that's beside the point.
Regaining his breath, he looked around to see what the others were up to. Most of them were still doing the same as before but May appeared to be going over to the two young Pokémon he just played with. Happy that they'll have someone else to keep them out of trouble, he turned back around. The only one who stood out was Grovyle, who stood a little bit away from everyone. Intrigued, he took off towards the middle-stage Pokémon.
As he approached the tall pure grass type, he noticed the look on his face. His eyes were wide open, like someone set his tail blades on fire. His mouth hung open slightly, with his twig threatening to fall out. Heavy breaths made visible by his chest raising and lowering. Following his eyeline, he found out why.
Grovyle was staring across the mostly damaged area where the other grass types were working. At the centre stood Meganium. Her eyes were closed, and head raised up. A wave of mystic lights echoed out of the neck petals, expanding the green grass circle that they stood on. The other grass types working on separate areas as she seemed to power the main source.
He smirked as he stopped by the wood gecko, "enjoying the view."
"Huh," he blinked, turning towards him, "sorry. I was just thinking."
"Is that what the kids are calling it now adays?" he asked.
"I thought Ash sent Duskull back to the lab," he muttered, "anyway, what do you want?"
"To chat," he shrugged, "what was you thinking about? Although, I could make a pretty good guess."
"I was thinking about when we met... all of us," he sighed, turning to stare at the sky, "I use to think everything was black and white. Pokémon were good, people were bad. I even tried to force Dustox into a reunion with her father because of my hubris."
"I'd hardly call it hubris. You did what you did because you thought it was right," he replied, "you were fooled by a father looking for their daughter and if a father was to come to us and ask for help again... I'd like to think we'd be as diligent and driven as you was."
"Heh, it's funny," the grass type smirked.
"What is?" he asked.
"You put on this mask as some sort of comedian or jokester, always letting one of us take the lead in a battle or adventure really," he explained, "but when it comes down to it, you're pretty wise. From what I've seen of you in battle, you could take on the everyone Ash caught in Hoenn at once and somehow come out on top. In our last training session, when I finally felt I out did you, you effortlessly stepped it up and once again I'm playing catch up-"
"Are you talking to yourself, bredren?" Corphish asked, appeared from the other side of the tall grass type.
"I-doesn't matter," he rolled his eyes.
"Hey, don't mock a conversation with oneself," he stepped between them, turning to the water type, "I'll have you know, I speak to myself a lot."
"Oh, apologises cheeks," the water type replied, "I didn't see you there."
"You do?" the wood gecko asked, quirking his eyebrow up.
"Of course," he smirked back, "sometimes I need expert advice."
"Oh brother," he rolled his eyes.
"Come on bredren, maybe you should ask for his expert advice," Corphish replied, "we've all seen you pree Meganium."
"I what?" Grovyle growled, swiftly extending one of his arm blades as it glew with grass type energy.
"Check out, admire, wanna take to the day care," Pikachu opted, "they all mean the same things really."
"Shut it," he growled.
"She's hardly criss ting, at least for me," Corphish shrugged, "but neither a him dawta. So, his advice might be what you need."
"I feel like I should take offence at that," Pikachu opted.
"Oh, so you haven't learnt all his weird sayings then," Grovyle rolled his eyes.
"Honestly, I just take in context clues and hope for the best," he smiled, "but I do it, brilliantly.
"Gud job. Now lad, wuh yuh really need to do is kiss the girl."
"Feel like I've seen that in a movie somewhere," Pikachu muttered, scratching his chin, "either way, he's not wrong. You miss one-hundred percent of the attacks you don't use in a battle."
"Like I'm going to take advice from you too," Grovyle glared down at them, "one a little power-plug with brother issues-"
"Who told you about my brother?"
"And the other... we don't even know your past," he continued, "where did you even come from?"
"When a mummy Corphish and daddy Corphish love each other very much," Pikachu interjected.
"Actually, I don't think they were both Corphish... just one of dem," the water type stopped, "and I'm pretty sure it was more a one-night thing."
"You sound unsure," he muttered, "don't you know?"
"Nah, they both left before I hatched," he shrugged, "it's just how it is under the sea."
"Again... I'm sure that's out of a movie or show or something," he mused, "I just can't put my finger on it."
"The life of a free mon, able to go where you want when you want," he continued, "yuh wudda luv it."
"So, you regret getting caught?" Grovyle asked.
"Nah," he shook his head, "this is just another type of adventure. If I had a problem, I would've tried to make a break sooner than this."
The three of them stopped in their tracks as a blue blur shot down beside them. Turning towards the source, they found Taillow stood in front of them. She may be smaller in size than all of them, but her shadow covered far more ground.
"If you grandmon's are done talking, there's work to be done," she growled, "you're clearly not helping with the restoration, and I could use a good battle. But you seem to be a little outnumbered right now."
"We're talking," Pikachu stepped forward, "nothing wrong with that. You need to relax."
"Actually, you might be able tuh help," Corphish interjected.
"Your right, for once," Grovyle rolled his eyes, "but Taillow. What would a guy have to do to... get your attention?"
"A guy?" she asked, quirking her eyebrow up. Flicking it back down, she glared at the grass type and hopped forward, causing him to step back in a bit of a stumble, "if a guy wanted to do anything with me. He'd need to beat me black and blue first. And even then, I wouldn't make it easy for them."
She turned around and quickly flapped her wings. Shooting off into the sky.
"Is it wrong that she scares me?"
"Nope."
"What about turned on?"
Pikachu turned to stare at the water type with wide eyes. Grovyle seemed to follow suit. He blankly looked back at them with a seemingly dull expression within his eyes. Sighing, he turned around.
"Now that's my cue to leave," he replied, running off from the others.
"Ditto," Grovyle added, taking off in the opposite direction.
Shaking his head, he couldn't help but inwardly chuckle as he created distance between them. Part of him has to admit, this Hoenn team has brought out some of his favourite characters. While none are hardly best friends with him, he hasn't had the same rifts as the collection from Johto. Houndoom and Meganium jump to mind, as characters he just clashed with. Noctowl could also be added to that list. While Granbull and Phanpy were hardly around long enough to create any meaningful attachment. Togetic is probably the closest but he's more like the nephew he never had.
Coming to a stop, he glanced around and found the Swablu from before sat on a blanket. The ranger had put her down and returned to work with the bug team. As he slowly approached, he noticed she was off watching May and her team during training. Skitty was currently practising battles against Poochyena.
"Hey," he greeted, stopping just at the blanket, "how are you feeling?"
"Good," she muttered, "did you want something?"
"Just to chat," he replied. Watching the two Pokémon go head-to-head, he waited a few moments, "it's pretty amazing."
"What is?" she asked.
"Well, the flare and style. When I first started learning to battle, I never imagined moves could be used in such ways."
"Is that all you wanted to come and say?" she asked.
"No..." he paused, "I get it, though. You're trying to act tough because you feel alone, isolated. Without your normal family to fall back on, you're wondering what's going to happen or what the future holds. I've been there myself."
"What are you getting at?"
"You're trying to act tough and like your unaffected because you feel like that's the grown-up thing to do. When it's the first thing from it. Listen, Swablu, I want to give you some advice. It's something I wish someone told me back when I was in your position."
"Do I have choice?"
"You can choose to listen or not. What I want to tell you is, you're coming up to a crossroads. No signs to tell you which direction is correct but all leading down a different path. Whatever preconceived notions you might have, get rid of them. The world, and everyone in it is a lot more complicated than anyone would like to admit. But if you find something that interests you, like say, making up fancy displays with moves. Well, that might be the sign to go down one road."
"You're just saying that because she travels with your trainer?"
"Believe me, I'm not. She's not perfect and has made plenty of mistakes along the way but everyone has. Even my own trainer, and when he screws up, I'll be first in line to call him out on it... but look at her two Pokémon battling. Do they look mistreated or miserable? It's those clues you need to look for."
Seeing her pupils dilate with her brows narrowed. Her beak seemed to frown slightly, whilst being pushed together.
He decided to set off and leave her to contemplate setting back off across the ground. Five kids within half an hour, give or take, that's just how good he is with this wise sage thing. Before you know it, he'll have a staff and white beard, ready for to further help the next generation of world savers... maybe he watches too many movies, when he puts it that way.
She sighed as Skitty landed by her feet. While she certainly felt like Skitty would be one of her appeal performer's, given her cuteness, her endlessly energy seems to push her more towards the battle side. None of their Pokémon seem to be able to match her.
"Why don't we take a break for now," she suggested.
The pure dark type, collapsed flat onto his stomach with his tongue hanging out. She always thought he had an unlimited amount of energy but clearly not.
Her pure normal type wasted no-time in charging off over to the new flower bed created by the team of grass types. Inwardly chuckling to herself, she approached the canine and scooped him up into her arms. Walking over to the medical tent, she giggled with her bite Pokémon licked her cheek.
"You did great, Poochyena," she smiled, "and you're really getting the hang of handling an opponent without constant input. That'll make surprises and sneak combinations a lot easier."
As she entered the tent, she found Brock tending to Swablu. He appeared to have taken off her bandages over her wings and was slowly moving them around in a circular motion. Walking over to the table, she grabbed a super potion and sprayed it onto her pure dark type, who whined at the presumable sting.
"Whoops, sorry," she winced, "but it'll have you feeling better in no time."
"Is he alright?" she heard Brock ask.
"Y-yeah," she stuttered slightly, turning to face him, "we just had a practise battle between him and Skitty. I think he's more exhausted than hurt, though."
"If that's the case, an oran or sitrus berry might've served him better," Brock replied, "natural herbs and berries work more to bodily functions such as energy, digestion and bio-malfunctions. While man-made potions help with the more physical injuries sustained."
"Oh," she muttered, glancing down to her canine.
"I'm not saying the potion will hurt Poochyena and if without other options, it'll certainly do the trick," he reassured, "but just for future reference. And don't worry, it was a while before I got all this stuff down. You've got nothing to worry about."
"Thanks Brock," she offered a small smile, glancing to see her bite Pokémon snoozing away in her arms, "so how's Swablu looking?"
"It's weird," he muttered, "I can't find anything wrong with her wings. The scratches are healed, and they have full motion but when she's tried to take off... it's like their something preventing it. I can't work out what, though, there's no physical reason why she should be grounded."
"Hmm," she mused, leaning forward, "you know when I was younger. I had a run in with a Pokémon, a Tentacruel actually."
"Really, you have mentioned it," he deadpanned.
"I don't mean the time my mum almost caught me in a Pokéball," she pouted, "it was back when we first moved to Hoenn. Our dad was waiting on the gym being built so we took a trip to Petalburg beach. Hardly anyone was around and was the first time in months we felt like an actual family... Max and I went swimming, and our dad played what's the time mister Sharpedo with us. A Tentacruel wrapped it's tentacle around my ankle and dragged me under."
"That hardly sounds like a Tentacruel," he muttered, "they feed on small sea life. Even as a child, you'd be too big for them and they are pretty docile otherwise, only attacking when absolutely needed. Are you sure it wasn't some other-"
"It was a Tentacruel!"
"Alright," he raised his hands up, "whatever you say."
"My dad scared it off and got me back to land. I had twisted my ankle," she continued, "even after a few hours with an ice pack, I struggled to walk on it."
"Was it broken?" he asked.
"No," she replied, "we went to the doctors, and they confirmed I shouldn't be having those issues. They did, however, explain why I couldn't walk on it."
"What did they say?" he asked.
"My issue wasn't a physical injury but more of a mental barrier. When I tried to put weight through my foot, my mind would flood with the memory of being pulled underwater and the mental block was what stopped me from using it," she explained, "maybe it's the same with Swablu."
"It's certainly possible," he mused, standing up and scooping the bird up in his arms, "let's go find the others. Maybe they'll have ideas on how to help."
Nodding in agreement, she followed him out of the tent and over to a circle on the newly restored grass where their friends all seemed to have gathered, except for Max, who was off playing with Skitty. It didn't take long to join the group, both of them sitting with their respective Pokémon in their arms, with Brock explaining the Swablu situation.
"That sure is an issue but I'm not sure what else we could do for her here?" Morita explained, "even if I took her to Nurse Joy, the Fallarbor one is hardly a specialist in therapy."
"Even so, the most important aspect with such an issue is Swablu is with someone that makes her comfortable," Brock explained, "sending her off to a random part of the region could multiply her issues and extend the amount of time she goes without flight."
"I'm going to go and message Nurse Joy, see what she thinks is the best option," Morita stood up and walked over to the medical tent.
"Why don't we show Swablu how to fly?" Ash suggested, "Taillow, Beautifly and Dustox can keep her safe. And Serena, if you used your ESP to lift us all up then she'll be completely comfortable."
"And how do you suppose we explain all of us flying to Max or Morita?" Brock asked.
"Well, erm... magic flying dust from either Beautifly or Dustox," he mumbled.
"You're an idiot," Serena sighed, "he saw me practising part of the performance with Ralts and Meditite, where I use my abilities to levitate myself. He's wanted to try it ever since, but I've refused to do so. I wasn't able to actual perform my routine because I was concentrating on staying high so no-one would I risk doing it on someone else."
"We need serious suggestions, Ash," she cried out.
"I just wanted to try it," he mumbled, Pikachu resting on his shoulder whilst offering a supportive pat on the back, "and it could've worked."
"I hate to say it, but I don't think this is something that can change overnight," Brock sighed, "I've read up on psychology and different practises into the field but never put them into practise myself or spoke to a specialist on the matter. But each book agrees it can take time."
"How much time, Brock?" May asked.
"I couldn't tell you," he sighed, "it depends on the patient, their trauma. How strong a hold their mental barrier has? The support network they have. Too many factors to give a reasonable assessment. It could take a few days, or weeks, months or even years."
"Well, we can't just leave her for that long without any help," she declared.
"Your right," Morita replied, as he approached, putting his Pokegear away, "I've just gotten off the phone with Nurse Joy in Fallarbor and she said the closest specialist she knows off for this sort of thing is in the Johto region. We could capture and transport Swablu over there, but that sort of uprooting would have a negative effective on her, prolonging the recover. And I wouldn't feel comfortable releasing her into the wild."
"Why not?" Brock asked.
"There are two predator territories between here and meteor falls. The Seviper's and the Zangoose," he explained, "both of which prey on Swablu, along with other small Pokémon for food. Normally they live in trees and can fly away but leaving her out there would just be asking for trouble."
"So, what other option is there?" Serena asked.
"That is really up to Swablu," he replied, "both myself and Nurse Joy agreed, with a responsible trainer and regular visits to medical professionals, even if not psychology specialists, she'd recover much quicker under their care. So should Swablu want to, she could pick one of you to be her trainer."
May glanced around at the others, unsure how to go about this. The closest she's had a Pokémon choose to join her was Mawile, and that was only after bonding whilst working through granite cave. Soon she felt herself shrink in place as Ash, Serena and Brock were all staring at her.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, "Brock's been the one taking care of her. Surely he'd be-"
"I can still help look after her, May, but you were the one to figure out her problem first. I think that says a lot about your possible connection."
"And I don't know if you noticed earlier," Serena added, "but when you were battling Poochyena and Skitty, she seemed mesmerised. I think given the opportunity; she'd make a great contest partner."
"Not to mention, having something to work towards would help with her recovery," Ash smiled, "no offence Brock, but your goal hardly counts as the same thing."
"None taken. After all, medicine in any form shouldn't be treated as a competition."
"When you guys put it like that," she sighed. Lying her canine down on the grass, she shuffled over and sat just in front of the bird. Reaching into her backpack, she pulled out an empty Pokéball, "what do you say, Swablu. Wanna become my Pokémon?"
With her beady little eyes, she stared up at her. May could read a thousand questions within that stare alone. Holding her breath, all she could do was wait. It felt like hours passed until the small cotton-winged bird leaned forward and pecked the centre button. Disappearing in a red light, the device lightly shook in her hands a couple time, ending with a ding. Smiling, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her device to scan the newly caught Pokémon:
Swablue, The Cotton Bird Pokémon. Swablu has light and fluffy wings that are like cottony clouds. This Pokémon is not frightened of people. It lands on the heads of people and sits there like a cotton-fluff hat
Type: Normal / Flying
Ability: Natural Cure
Hidden Ability: Cloud Nine (Note: This hidden ability is currently locked)
Gender: Female
Nature: Timid (Note: This is could change when/if this Pokémon evolves)
Move(s): Peck, Growl, Disarming voice, Mist, Fury Attack, Round, Sing
May's Pokédex switched screens to a list of her current on hand team, although all the images were silhouettes except for Swablu, "please select which Pokémon you wish to send back."
Her eyes scanned across the six shilluette images of Combusken, Beautifly, Poochyena, Mawile, Minun and Skitty. While she felt horrible for coming to a conclusion so quickly, one of her team has been more trouble than help as of late. With a quick glance around, she soon spotted him somewhat nearby. Reaching for her belt, she took off her Pokéball and quickly recalled him. Seeing his image light up once more, she clicked it. Her starter was teleported away.
Glancing down at the new device in her hand, she smiled and wrapped her fingers around it, "welcome to the team."
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