To Save An Articuno
"Huh, this is weird but I'm not seeing any wild Pokemon at all!" Ash exclaimed while glancing left, right and even above as he tried helping Marnie with her search for Sneasel but to no avail as there seemingly weren't any wild Pokemon to be found within the area.
"Nor do I... Lucario?" Zach glanced to his partner Pokemon for assistance. Lucario closed his eyes for a moment as he read the aura around them before letting out a grunt as he shook his head. "Lucario says there's nothing around here."
"That's odd, you think something's scared them all off?" Dawn questioned.
"Or probably caught them, it has been quite awhile since we ran into Jessie, James and Meowth." Marnie stated.
"Yeah, I still haven't met them." Zach added on.
"I don't think it's them, something tells me it's something else." Ash grabbed a Pokeball and tossed it up into the air. "Charizard I choose you!"
"Char!" Charizard roared out as he burst from his Pokeball, the fire lizard then tilted his head as he gazed towards his trainer. "Char?"
"Charizard can you take a look around and see if anything's out of the ordinary around here?" Ash asked.
"And if not, perhaps point the way towards the wild Pokemon?" Marnie added on.
Charizard gave a quick nod of his head as he took to the air, his eyes scanned the vast snow bank as he kept his eyes open for anything unusual or movement in general. He didn't have much luck at first but about a mile or so to the north he spotted what appeared to be an Articuno engaged in a heated battle with a strange looking Scizor and upon closer inspection he could make out the familiar black colored uniform of Team Rocket!
"CHAR!" Charizard let out an alarmed roar as he turned around to alert his trainer. "CHAR!"
"Charizard? What is it?" Ash asked as Charizard frantically pointed towards the north while making his descent.
Zach glanced towards Lucario who grunted out once more. "Something's endangered-"
"Car!"
"Oh, in danger! Sorry, I still don't fully understand you." Zach turned back towards Ash. Ever since Lucario evolved the connection between the two grew stronger and he was able to understand him due to their aura connection, it wasn't perfect though as there were still some kinks that needed ironing out. "I'm not sure what."
Ash gazed up at Charizard while silently clenching his fist. If Charizard was acting that way it had to be for a good reason, if it was just a wild Sneasel or something he'd have likely handled it himself so whatever it was must be serious! Ash stepped forward and climbed onto Charizard's back.
"Okay Charizard lead the w-"
"Oh no ya don't, I'm coming with ya!" Marnie got on right behind him, wrapping her arms around his chest so she wouldn't go flying off Charizard's back.
Ash's cheeks burned bright red from her action but unfortunately he couldn't savor the moment as something upset Charizard and he had to know what. "Alright let's go Charizard!"
"CHAR!"
"This is like Lumiose City all over again." Zach commented as he watched Charizard take off into the sky.
"No need to worry they'll be back, besides nothing says we can't follow them. Who knows they might need us!" Dawn exclaimed with a bright smile.
"That's true, well then I guess we might as well follow them just in case."
"Shedinja!" The cicada Pokemon fired off a ball of black-purple static energy while Mega Scizor fired a bright orange-yellow energy beam from his claws. A Crobat joined in, it's wings glowed a venomous shade of purple as it slashed at his opponent! Articuno tried retaliating with a beam of ice but Shedinja flew in the way and tanked the hit causing it to deflect and bounce away!
An Audino stood alongside Domino who watched Sasuke unfairly battle it out with Articuno, she couldn't help but flinch and feel sorry for the Legendary bird as it cried out in pain from the poison that Crobat inflicted upon it! Sasuke glanced towards her with an irritated expression.
"Are you going to keep standing there or are you going to help?"
"You look like you're getting by just fine without me." Domino responded in a cold fashion causing Sasuke to shoot her a glare before he directed his focus back towards Articuno.
"Fine just stay out of my way! Scizor use Hyper Beam, Shedinja use-"
"Flamethrower!"
"CHAR!" A flamethrower rained down upon Shedinja, Scizor and Crobat as Charizard swooped down from the sky. Shedinja instantly dropped to the ground in defeat while Crobat and Mega Scizor temporarily dropped to their knees.
Domino looked towards Charizard as he landed on the ground, allowing for Ash and Marnie to safely disembark. Her gaze fixated on Pikachu as he leaped off of Ash's shoulder before her eyes widened from recognition!
"T-That's Ash Ketchum!" She didn't remember their encounter as Mewtwo wiped it from her mind but she heard stories about the boy and Pikachu who ruined and dismantled many Team Rocket schemes over the years!
"So?" Sasuke scoffed. "He doesn't scare me!"
"Greninja I choose you!"
"Grenin!" Greninja burst from his ball and began moving in synch with Ash while Marnie tossed forward a Dusk Ball, releasing Grimmsnarl from his confinement as Greninja finished the transformation into Ash-Greninja!
"Snarl!"
"Ninja!"
"Huh?" Sasuke was taken aback for a brief moment while Domino hastily returned Audino to it's ball.
"We really ought to go, there's no way we can take on all five of them!" She hissed while beckoning towards Pikachu, Ash-Greninja, Charizard, Grimmsnarl and Morpeko who all stood on the defensive while blocking the path to Articuno!
"Afraid of some kids? They're hardly adults at all!" Sasuke grabbed another Pokeball from his belt and threw it forward. "But if you insist, I've got a way to wipe them out in seconds!" An Electrode burst out with a smirk upon it's face as it turned to face his trainer.
"Sasuke... what are you doing?" Domino asked with a look of fear as she dreaded his choice of words for a Pokemon like that.
"Explosion!" Electrode's body ignited and cast off a huge explosion, causing the mountain above them to begin rumbling before quickly coming down and knocking them all off their feet and sending them along with Articuno down the mountain and back into the forest area where they'd left the others
Domino let out a pained grunt as she laid trapped beneath the snow, feeling her consciousness begin to fade away from her. Sasuke was quick to recover as he was already on his feet, no sign of the twerps were anywhere. "Sasuke..." Domino reached out with her arm, hoping for him to come and help pull her out. The Rocket ninja turned to face her with narrowed eyes before letting out an annoyed humph and leaving her behind. Domino felt rage flowing through her, wanting to scream and curse at her partner for abandoning her but found she lacked the ability to do so as her consciousness soon left her.
"Car?" Lucario paused as he sensed something wasn't right, the jackal quickly reached for Piplup and Raboot and scooped them into his arms before giving his trainer a light kick to push him into Dawn.
"Ah-Lucario why'd you do that?" Zach asked as he and Dawn found their arms interlocked with one another. Dawn glanced to the side as she heard a loud rumble approaching.
"I think you're about to get your answer!" She exclaimed shortly before the five were buried beneath the snow!
"Gre!" Greninja slashed his way out of the snowbank with his water shuriken and began looking around for signs of his trainer, friends or even the enemy but there was nothing! Greninja frowned before noticing the snow nearby melting, the frog was quick to race towards it as he thought perhaps it was Raboot only to be filled with annoyance as his eyes set upon Charizard. "Gree..." Greninja was still feeling sour as he always thought that he was the one with the greatest connection to Ash. Greninja still helped Charizard up though as they were still teammates rather he liked it or not, Charizard let out an appreciative growl as he got to his feet but Greninja remained silent as he looked away.
Charizard tried taking off so he could find Ash and the others but he was greeted by a snap and a loud pained roar as the avalanche had twisted his wing. It was nothing a few days of rest wouldn't hurt but he wouldn't be able to fly for the rest of the day and with the approaching blizzard that wasn't a good sign! Greninja gazed towards the sky before fixating his gaze upon Charizard's tail, the frog let out a sigh as he took Charizard by the hand. "Gre!" He cried.
Charizard tilted his head as he wondered why Greninja seemed so frustrated with him but didn't bother questioning him for now as he saw his heart was in the right spot for the frog was guiding him towards the safety of a cave. Finding Ash wouldn't do them any good if Charizard's tail went out besides if Pikachu was with him then there was a good chance that he was okay! Charizard gazed towards the sky and silently prayed out.
"Pffft!" Marnie began coughing out snow as she shot her head out of a snowbank before reaching back in to pull out Morpeko, the small rodent had been fortunate enough to latch onto her jacket as they were swept away. "Oh bloody heck... the others don't appear to be anywhere near here!" Marnie looked up and noticed a blizzard forming in the sky above. "And that's not a good sign, we ought ta take shelter and fast!"
"Pek!" Morpeko nodded before pausing as her ear twitched, the rodent cast a glance towards the left before pointing outwards. "Morpek!"
"Hm?" Marnie tilted her head before taking notice of an arm sticking out of a snowbank, she rushed forward to pull them out only to let out a gasp as she was soon face to face with a passed out Domino! Marnie quickly dropped her and shot a quick look around as if she expected her ninja partner to ambush her but there was no sign of him or his Pokemon in fact it almost looked as if he left Domino for dead and moved on.
Marnie cast her gaze upwards and frowned. "We can't just leave her out here like this, she won't last..." Marnie called Grimmsnarl back out so the Pokemon could help her carry Domino to the nearby cave. "I guess we'll have ta make fire the old fashioned way, Morpeko mind finding us some sticks? We won't be able to eat until we get it-"
"MOR!" Morpeko blasted off to find sticks as soon as Marnie gave her proper incentive. Marnie smirked and silently shook her head as they set Domino down within the cave.
"RA!" The snow melted around Lucario, Raboot and Piplup as Raboot activated Flame Charge.
"P-Piplup..." Piplup huddled closer to Raboot for warm as his body shivered. Lucario silently looked around before closing his eyes as he fixated upon his trainer's aura. Lucario's eyes shot open seconds afterwards followed by a grunt as he waved his hand. Raboot and Piplup followed after Lucario as he raced along the snowbank before stopping to watch as Lucario hastily burrowed through the snow, the jackal emitting a pleasured cry as he found their trainers passed out. Lucario grabbed hold of them and hastily shook the snow off of them before shooting a look around as he knew they needed to get warm and fast.
"Piplup!" Piplup pointed towards an empty cave nearby before casting a fearful look towards Lucario as if to ask if anything dangerous was inside. Lucario gave an understanding nod as he had no intention of getting his trainer and Dawn mauled by an angry Ursaring or territorial Beartic. Lucario closed his eyes as he read the aura around them, the only bad aura he picked up were miles off in either direction though oddly enough he picked out a third source in addition to Domino and Sasuke's. Now wasn't the time to question it though, the trainers needed to get warm and the approaching blizzard was sure to ward the threat off before they got anywhere near them. Lucario carried Zach and Dawn towards the cave while Raboot and Piplup followed. A pair of eyes anxiously watched as they entered the cave before hastily retreating to the far back, disappearing from sight as the Pokemon started a fire for their trainers. Piplup held his flippers towards the flames Raboot created while Lucario pushed some rocks together in order to prop the trainer's upwards so their hair could dry out faster, Zach and Dawn's heads leaned against one another while their hands rested on top of each other as a result.
"Marnie?! Charizard?! Greninja?! Morpeko?! Pikachu?!" Ash anxiously called out as he unknowingly found himself furthest from the others. He frowned and shot a quick look around before noticing a large lump in the snow. "Charizard is that you?!" Ash rushed forward and hastily brushed the snow off as he couldn't see a flame, if that was Charizard then he needed to get him out fast! Though to his surprise he'd soon find himself face to face with the Legendary bird Articuno, the bird's face was still tainted purple as a sickly groan escaped it's lips.
Ash quickly reached for his bag and began fishing around before producing a Pecha berry which he held out to Articuno in offering, the bird offered him a light smile as she reached out and gobbled up the berry. A pleasant and light coo emitting from her throat shortly after resulting in Ash offering her a smile of his own. "You're welcome, are you able to fly or are you still...?" He wasn't sure how worn out she was from the battle but it was clear it had been going for some time before his arrival based on her injuries.
Articuno tried rising to her feet only to wind up collapsing, Ash rushed forward and checked her injuries. Articuno definitely wouldn't be getting up anytime soon and her wing appeared to have been injured during the avalanche which made him worry for Charizard as he was sure Charizard's wings got battered about too. 'Hopefully one of the others found him.' Ash couldn't worry about Charizard for the time being as Articuno was right there and needed his help, Ash retrieved a Max Potion from his bag and looked Articuno in the eye.
"This'll sting for a bit but it'll be quick I promise." Articuno stared into his eyes for a lingering moment before giving an approving nod. Ash offered her a smile in response and began spraying and tending to the injuries all over her body, Articuno flinched each time she got sprayed but once it was over with she felt a lot better!
"Cuno..." Articuno let out an affectionate coo as she nuzzled against Ash. Her gaze soon turned towards the approaching blizzard which was fast approaching, she glanced back towards Ash and looked around before lifting the uninjured wing. "Cuno." She motioned towards the blizzard before motioning towards her wing.
"Y-You want me to take cover there?" Articuno gave a swift nod in response as there wasn't any available cover close enough for him and she wanted to pay him back for helping her. She could survive the blizzard but he was liable to freeze out here if she didn't offer her assistance, he was already cold and shivering from hitting the snowbank!
Ash offered her an appreciative smile as he thanked her before taking cover beneath her wing, Articuno lowered her wing and shielded Ash as the fierce wind and snow began to hit.
Charizard listened as the cold wind blew through the entrance to the cave that he and Greninja were hiding in, despite the fire warming up the cave there was still a chill wind as the wind blew inwards. Greninja glanced towards Charizard's tail as it flickered and let out an annoyed grunt as he got up to walk towards a small boulder, Greninja began summoning up all his strength as he threw himself against it in an attempt to block the entrance to help Charizard out but it barely nudged.
"You need help with that?" Charizard asked, he realized what Greninja was trying to do. "My wing may have been injured but my arms and legs work just fine."
"No, no! I don't need your help, I can do this!" Greninja grunted out.
Charizard narrowed his eyes as it became clear Greninja had something against him.
"Alright what gives? Ever since I've met you you've done nothing but act hostile towards me, what did I ever do to you?" Charizard questioned as he was growing sick of Greninja's attitude.
Greninja gave Charizard a look. "You know... your connection to Ash is far stronger than mine, I always thought that Ash and I had something special that no other Pokemon had then you come along and it's clear the connection between you is very strong!"
"Is that all?" Charizard rolled his eyes as he let out a grunt of annoyance. "Kid I've been around Ash since the very beginning of his journey, of course my connection to him is stronger than yours. We've been through a lot together but that doesn't mean he likes you any less than he does me, he loves all of us! If he really favored me he'd use me in every battle but he allows all of us to have a shot. Besides you've got that bond phenomenon thing going for you, something one of a kind that the rest of us will never have."
Greninja thought it over inside his head and began realizing how silly his actions had been, the frog began sweating before looking up as Charizard got next to him. "Now how about we work together to get through this? I'm sure Ash is fine, he's gotten through a lot worse than this."
"W-Where am I?! Who are you?!" Domino sprang from where she was resting before collapsing to the ground with a pained grunt as she held onto her ankle. "Ah!"
"Careful, you need ta rest! Besides you clearly ain't going anywhere." Marnie pointed towards the howling cave entrance. "There's a blizzard out there and with your injury, heading out there is a death sentence!"
Domino shifted her eyes down towards her leg before looking up towards Marnie. "I didn't get hear myself, you moved me didn't you? Why would you do that? We're enemies."
"Because it was the right thing to do, I couldn't just leave you out there to freeze! I have no idea where your partner ran off to but he's clearly left you behind, I couldn't just stand by and do nothing I had to help."
Domino gazed at her feet in silence for a moment.
"Besides from what I recall you didn't even bother fighting us or Articuno, you just stood to the side. Why did you do that?" Marnie questioned.
Domino remained silent as she debated over rather or not she should tell her what they had in store for the Legendary Bird Pokemon.
"Silence? Okay ya don't have to answer me." Marnie poured some soup into a bowl before placing it by her side. "Here, I made this and if you're hungry I'd hurry up and eat it before Morpeko finishes her portions." Marnie thumbed towards Morpeko who greedily lapped up her own soup in the far corner.
"Thank you..." Domino offered Marnie a weak smile as she picked up the soup bowl.
"Huh? Z-Zach?! Piplup?!" Dawn stirred awake and found herself greeted with a sense of warmth. Her eyes took quick notice of Piplup who was now fast asleep by the fire with a relaxed look to him. Dawn smiled and breathed out a sigh of relief before realizing that she was resting against somebody, she was about to move when she realized who it was. At first she wondered if he'd done it on purpose but she quickly realized that it was her hand resting on top of his, she couldn't help but blush and glance towards his head which rested upon her shoulder. 'He's so cute when he's sleeping...'
Dawn stayed where she was for awhile, not wanting to move as apart from liking it the two were keeping each other warm! Dawn smiled and stared silently at him for a moment before tensing up as he began to stir awake. Zach let out a yawn as his eyes slowly opened up, upon seeing the fire he assumed Lucario and Raboot dragged him there as he could see the two of them sleeping not far off from the flame. He then raised an eyebrow in a questioning manner upon spotting Piplup before realizing that something was holding his hand, Dawn let out a startled gasp and tried to pull her hand away before it was discovered only for it to be too late. She began nervously sweating as he looked towards their hands before uttering a sigh of relief as a smile began forming on his face. Dawn blushed brightly as a result and quickly turned away to act as if she hadn't notice he'd woken up yet.
"Was that you or Lucario who got us here? Cause it sure wasn't me." Zach softly spoke out as he didn't want to disturb the sleeping Pokemon.
"It was Lucario, I woke up not long before you did." Dawn spoke while turning around to face him with a light blush still present upon her face. Zach took notice and formed a blush of his own as the two stared at one another. Lucario opened an eye and smirked at the sight before closing it as he continuing pretending to be asleep. Piplup formed a smirk of his own as he watched through narrowed eyes while trying to not make it obvious he was spying. Raboot on the other hand was asleep with her head propped up against Lucario's leg. Dawn had to admit it was rather romantic, the two of them sitting alone by an open flame. She even considered making a move before she heard what sounded like a Pokemon rustling through food.
She glanced towards the fire and saw their Pokemon still sleeping or rather pretending to be and quickly turned to Zach with a panicked expression. "I think something's in here with us!" She hissed out.
"I hear it too." Zach softly replied. The two slowly turned to look behind them and let out startled yelps as they saw a strange yet beautiful looking Ninetales, her head buried within Zach and Dawn's bags which Lucario had removed on account of them being soaking wet.
"W-What is that...? It looks like a Ninetales but it's not."
"I have no idea but she sure is beautiful!"
Raboot's eye shot open as she heard her trainer say that, the rabbit shot a hostile look towards the new Pokemon and leaped off her feet as flames began to engulf her body! "RA!"
"Huh? Raboot no!" Zach quickly grabbed hold of Raboot and pulled her back. Raboot's flames dissolved quickly after he touched her as she didn't want to hurt him.
"Ra? Raboot ra ra!" Raboot shook within his grasp as she tried to escape!
"Raboot we don't know if she's a foe, there's no need to attack her like that! She looks to be starving if anything, probably hasn't eaten in days from the look of things." Zach commented as he watched Ninetales scarfing down the contents of their bags.
"Alolan Ninetales," Dawn commented as she retrieved her Rotom Phone. "What's she doing so far from home?"
Ninetales perked up as she heard them speaking louder and more clearer. She pulled her head out of a chip bag and shot them a frightened look before turning to retreat further into the cave!
"Ninetales wait! We're not here to hurt you!" Zach called out. "If you're hungry we can whip you something up!"
Ninetales looked back and glanced between the two trainers before fixating her gaze on their Pokemon. Piplup and Lucario were right next to their trainers and silently watching as she made her decision, Ninetales could tell that the two Pokemon had a deep bond and connection to their trainers which was something that poacher didn't have with his Pokemon. She gave a light smile and made her approach, a pleasant coo emitted from her throat as the trainers gave her an reassuring pat.
"Found you!" Sasuke dropped down from the treetops as the blizzard died down, Mega Scizor dropped down alongside him as they gazed upon the wounded Articuno. "Heh, no sign of the brats or that blonde annoyance. Guessing they all perished in the storm, you getting injured is just icing on the cake!" Sasuke smirked. "You should be easy pickings but just in case, Scizor use Hyper Beam!"
"Scizor!"
"Flame Wheel!"
"What the-?" Sasuke shouted out as the voice appeared to come from within Articuno. A ball of fire came rolling out from beneath Articuno's wing and made it's way towards Scizor before bouncing up to strike the Mega Pokemon!
"Scizor!" Scizor grunted out.
"What?! How?!" Sasuke's eye twitched in an irritated fashion. He didn't have to question it for long as Ash stepped out from beneath Articuno's wing to reveal his presence while the flame ball died down to reveal the form of Quilava!
"Quilava!"
"Of course, one of you survived. How unfortunate." Sasuke growled. "Cross Poison!"
"Counter with Eruption!"
"Quilava!" Quilava's head flame ignited and fired off a geyser of fire at Scizor as the Mega made it's approach, Scizor grunted out as he tried pushing through. "Quil!" Quilava cried out as he was brought to his knees, his face tainted purple as the Mega managed to snag a critical hit and poison him simultaneously! Ash clenched his fists upon seeing how much of a heavy hitter Scizor was, he didn't like having to send Quilava against him but he didn't have much of a choice as Pikachu, Charizard and Greninja were who knows where!
"Quilava you okay?"
"Q-QUIL!" Quilava's head and tail flame heavily ignited as his eyes shot a dark red color. Articuno watched the battle with interest shining in her eyes.
"Blaze?! Alright Quilava we've got one last shot at this, let's make it count! Use Eruption!"
"Quil... LAVA!"
"Fly upwards!" Sasuke shouted. Scizor swiftly responded and flew up in an attempt to avoid the attack only for his attempt to be in vain as the flame geyser was much larger and stronger than it had been before! Scizor let out an ear shattering cry as he was roasted by the flames, the pink light surrounded his body as he dropped from the sky and collapsed against the snowbank. Sasuke gritted his teeth as he recalled Scizor while Quilava let out a victory screech.
"Quilava!" He cried while a bright blue light engulfed his body. Quilava stood on his hind legs as his body began stretching outwards, now standing level to Ash. His eyes began losing their cute roundness and took on a fierce shape while sharp fangs grew within the inside of his mouth. His head and tail flame disappeared and were replaced by a larger flame that went around the back of his neck!
"Typhlo!"
"Typhlosion the Volcano Pokemon, it can hide behind a shimmering heat haze that it creates using its intense flames. Typhlosion create blazing explosive blasts that burn everything to cinders!"
"You evolved?! That's great!"
"Typhlo..." Typhlosion offered his trainer a weak smile before plopping face first against the snow as the poison had taken it's toll on him.
"Fine, I don't need Scizor. Nidoking and Nidoqueen, let's finish him off!" Sasuke wasted no time in throwing a set of Pokeballs forward, revealing the forms of Nidoking and Nidoqueen but before they could make a move or Ash one of his own, a large water shuriken fired at the two Ground types followed shortly by a powerful thunderbolt before being finished with a Flamethrower!
Nidoking and Nidoqueen shivered as the water practically froze as soon as it hit them before crying out as the Thunderbolt actually affected them due to the water. They let out sighs of relief upon the fire first meeting their bodies but it quickly turned to panic shrieks as it burned them! The two dropped to the ground in defeat as swirls filled their eyes while Greninja, Charizard and Pikachu came into view and took defensive positioning in front of Ash.
Sasuke's eyes darted between the three. "Forget this, it's not worth the trouble." He tossed down a smoke pellet to cover his escape, it was only a few seconds but once the smoke faded he and the Poison types were long gone!
Ash returned Typhlosion to the safety of his Pokeball before turning towards his reunited Pokemon. "You all made it! Any sign of Marnie or the others?" The Pokemon shook their heads with apologetic expressions. Ash uttered out a breath sigh before offering them a smile. "Well at least you're all okay, Grenina and Charizard return for now. You deserve a long rest, and welcome back buddy!"
"Pika!" Pikachu gave his trainer an affectionate nuzzle as he climbed back onto his shoulder.
Ash let out a light chuckle before turning back to face Articuno. "Well I suppose the danger's passed so if you don't mind, I'm gonna try and track down my friends."
Articuno lowered her head with a saddened expression. Ash tilted his head as he wondered if he was seeing things correctly. "Will you be okay? Oh hey!" Ash laughed as Articuno nuzzled her head against him.
"Cuuuu!" Articuno cooed out in a rather affectionate manner. Pikachu flashed Ash a smirk while motioning towards his belt with his tail.
"Pi Pikachu!"
"Huh? Y-You want to join us? Are you sure?"
"Cuno!" A smirk formed upon Ash's face as Articuno gave a nod of confirmation. Ash reached for an empty Pokeball before tapping it against Articuno's forehead, the Legendary bird disappeared in a beam of red light as she was absorbed into the Pokeball. The ball shook twice within Ash's hand before chiming out to confirm the capture!
"Articuno the Freeze Pokemon, Articuno is a legendary bird Pokemon that can control ice. The flapping of its wings chills the air. As a result, it is said that when this Pokémon flies, snow will fall!"
"Oh bloody heck, tell me ya didn't just catch another Legendary Pokemon?" Marnie playfully teased as she made her arrival. As soon as the blizzard died out she left to find her friends, the noise of the battle had drawn her attention and lured her towards him.
"Heh, I guess I did." Ash let out a light laugh as he gazed down at the Pokeball containing Articuno. "I can't wait to see her in action!"
"Maybe you'll have a chance ta find out when ya battle Bertha," Marnie smirked before taking a quick look around. "You didn't happen to see Zach and Dawn did you?"
"Nope, I'm guessing they're further back somewhere."
"Well then let's go find them!"
"Looks like the blizzards dying out," Zach commented as he peeked out of the cave. "We should try and find the others, make sure that they're okay."
"Right, come on Piplup!"
"Piplup!" Piplup scurried after Dawn as the two trainers stepped out of the cave.
Lucario shot one last look towards Ninetales before following after them, Raboot hot on his heels. Ninetales silently gazed after them for a moment, neither made an attempt to catch her as they didn't want to betray her trust but Ninetales felt a great sorrow filling her as she watched them leave. "Nine..."
She left the cave and began wondering over her next move before the ground erupted beneath her as a large scorpion tail came striking down upon her!
"NINE!" Ninetales let out a pained screech that echoed throughout the forest.
Lucario shot around as he heard the cry and growled out to his trainer.
"Yeah I heard it too, something's got Ninetales!" Without a word the two raced off to investigate. Dawn cast a questioning look after them before running after them.
"N-Nine..." Ninetales weakly groaned out as a Drapion had her pined against the ground.
"What's a Drapion doing here?" It clearly wasn't Marnie's as hers was relatively friendly and wouldn't lash out unless she ordered it to do so and Drapion tended to avoid cold weather so the likelihood of it being wild was relatively low. "...Poachers!" Zach was quick to deduce.
"Car!" Lucario snarled out.
"That voice sounds familiar," Pokemon Hunter A stepped out from around Drapion before pausing as he spotted Zach and Lucario. "Oh hey, you're that dojo kid! Nice to see that you and your Riolu have grown up! Now if you want to keep it that way I suggest you get going, I've got places to go people to see!" He spoke while sharpening a knife.
Zach's fists clenched as his gaze fixated upon the knife. "Yeah, that's not happening! I'm not letting you kill her!"
"Car!" Lucario snarled out in agreement with his trainer.
"A pity," Pokemon Hunter A continued sharpening the knife. "Drapion use Fire Fang!"
"Dra!" Drapion's fangs glowed fiery red as the scorpion rushed towards Lucario!
"Counter with Bone Rush!"
"CAR!" Lucario summoned his aura infused bone club and slammed it against Drapion's head as the scorpion made it's approach, Drapion stuttered for a moment before quickly recovering. The scorpion sprang forward and pinned Lucario against the ground, the jackal grunted out as he tried breaking loose from Drapion's grasp only to let out an ear shattering cry as Drapion sank it's fiery fangs into his neck!
"RA!" Raboot's eyes lit ablaze shortly before flames engulfed her body, the rabbit screeched out as she blasted across the field like a rocket without even waiting for her trainer's command as she tossed herself at Drapion only to bounce right off as Lucario went limp in Drapion's grasp, swirls filled his eyes as Raboot went flying into a nearby snow bank!
"Raboot!"
"Hehehe..." Pokemon Hunter A smirked as he turned towards Raboot. "Drapion use Cross Poison!"
"Dra!" Drapion's arms glowed a venomous shade of purple as he left Lucario's side and made his way towards the snowbank containing Raboot. The snowbank soon erupted as Raboot sprung out, her feet lunged outwards as she struck out, striking Drapion right in the face before quickly following it with another kick then another kick!
"Ra Raboot ra!" She cried out in a fiery rage.
"Annoying little rabbit... Sand Tomb!"
"Raboot!" Zach anxiously shouted out for his partner as she found herself buried beneath a mountain of sand. A fist punched upwards as she emerged while strangely looking to be unaffected despite her species natural disadvantage to Ground type attacks! "What...?"
"Raboot's ability is Libero, the user's typing will change to match that of it's attacks."
"Wait that's your ability? I always assumed it was Blaze!"
"I never heard of Libero before..." Dawn commented with an impressed look.
Raboot offered her trainer a sheepish smile before turning her attention towards Drapion as the scorpion prepared to unleash another attack.
"Night Slash!"
"Knock him back with Electro Ball!"
"RA!" Raboot formed an electrical energy sphere between her hands and dropped it before delivering a swift kick, sending it flying towards Drapion and nailing him right in the face!
"D-Drapio!" Drapion cried out as electricity surged through his body.
"Now let's wrap this up, Flame Charge!"
"RA!" Raboot's body became engulfed with flames once more as she blasted forward and threw herself against Drapion once more, knocking the scorpion off his feet and sending him toppling over onto his side as swirls filled his eyes!
"What?!" The knife fell from the Pokemon Hunter's hands as he was stunned by shock. He honestly didn't expect Zach to win after wiping the floor with him back when he tried cutting off the Galarian Slowpoke's tails.
"Alright Raboot!" Zach cheered.
"You were amazing, Raboot!" Dawn added on.
"Piplup!"
Raboot blushed from the praise she received shortly before she disappeared as a bright blue light engulfed her body! She nearly tripled in height as she now stood level with Lucario and her trainer, the fur around her neck and chest turned back to white while the black fur that covered her waist and legs turned a dark red color and almost resembled a pair of pants as it stuck out from the rest of her body. Her eyes stopped drooping and sprang upwards as a rather cheerful look formed on her face.
"Ace, Cinderace!" She cheerfully cried out as her attitude had improved much like her trainer's had.
"Cinderace the Striker Pokemon, it's skilled at both offense and defense, and it gets pumped up when cheered on. But if it starts showboating, it could put itself in a tough spot!"
"C-Car..." Lucario offered his newly evolved partner a weak smile as he slowly rose to his feet.
"Oh wow, you look awesome Cinderace!" Cinderace smiled brightly upon hearing her trainer's words. The rabbit pulled him in for a quick hug before Lucario let out an alarmed growl as the Pokemon Hunter retrieved his knife and prepared to plunge it into the weakened Ninetales' neck!
"Cinderace use Pyro Ball!"
"Ace!" Cinderace formed a fire ball between her paws and dropped it before delivering a swift and precise kick, sending the ball of fire flying right towards Pokemon Hunter A's hand! The poacher let out a pained shout and cursed as he threw the heated metal from his hand before shooting a hostile glare at Zach.
"You've officially made my list kid..."
"I'd say the feeling's mutual, Ninetales you want the honors?"
"Nine!" A rainbow energy sphere surrounded Ninetales as she sprang to her feet and headbutted Pokemon Hunter A off the hillside, the poacher let out a shout as he rolled down the hill while snow quickly gathered around him and formed a massive snow ball that rolled off into the distance and out of sight!
"Ace!"
"Car!"
"Nice one Ninetales!"
"Nine!" Ninetales cooed out as she raced forward to nuzzled her head up against his leg. Zach chuckled and gave her head a light pat as he watched Pokemon Hunter A roll out of sight.
"Ninetales... why don't you come with us? This clearly isn't your home and I'm sure that he'll come back for you if you stay here, if you join us then I promise you that you'll always have somebody looking out for you rather it be me or the rest of my Pokemon back at the lab. What do you say? We sure could use an Ice type on our team!"
"Car..."
"Oh? And Fairy, don't have that type yet either!" Zach laughed.
Ninetales gave a swift nod of her head as she offered him a smile. "Nine!"
Zach retrieved a random ball from his bag and tossed it at Ninetales. The fox let out a pleasant coo as she leaped up and gave the Moon Ball a light headbutt as she was engulfed by a bright red light. The ball hit the snowy ground and shook back and forth before chiming out to confirm the capture!
"Ninetales the Fox Pokemon, Alolan Form. It creates drops of ice in its coat and showers them over its enemies. Anyone who angers it will be frozen stiff in an instant!"
"Ace!" Cinderace smiled as the Moon Ball whisked away to Sonia's lab. A few hours ago she'd have hated the idea of Ninetales joining their family but now she didn't care, Zach thought she was awesome and that was far better than being the most beautiful member of the team!
"I have to say I'm jealous, Ninetales looks like she could be put on quite the performance at Pokemon Contests!"
"Really? Well I'm sure she won't mind if I let you borrow her someday." Zach suggested with a light smile.
Dawn blushed lightly as she offered him an appreciative smile. "I think I'd like that."
"You caught another Legendary?!" Zach exclaimed, the group had reunited and were not on the outskirts of the snowy route. Marnie never did find a Sneasel but she wasn't worked up about it, there would be other opportunities. Besides she was thankful that everyone was okay and seeing how excited Articuno's capture got Ash more than made up for her failed efforts.
"Yeah and I can't wait to see what sort of moves she's got!"
"Pi Pikachu!"
"Well you won't have to wait too long," Marnie pointed out as they approached Mt Coronet. "Once we're on the other side, we'll be in Celestic Town."
"And then I can challenge Bertha to a rematch!" Ash clenched his fists as excitement flowed through him. He captured an amazing new Pokemon and tomorrow he'd be facing off against Bertha, he couldn't wait to see what else laid in store for him!
"You failed?!" Pierce angrily roared out as Sasuke returned to report his failure.
"It wasn't my fault, that Ketchum kid took me by surprise! How was I supposed to know he'd just happen to have his three strongest Pokemon on hand!"
"Ketchum..." Pierce growled out. "Well then get back out there, there's more than one Articuno out there! Go find another!"
Domino stepped in and let out an frustrated sigh. "You mean we have to go back out?" Pierce's eyes bulged out as she turned around, spotting something caught in the neck of her shirt.
"Domino, stay right there." Domino tensed up as Pierce made his approach, she couldn't help but shiver as a cold sensation flowed through her as Pierce pulled a blue feather from the back of her uniform.
"Actually scratch that, you two stay here. Looks like we'll have everything we need in time for the Wind Festival, after all why capture when we can clone Articuno!"