The Forest Champion
Alec's POV
"The next town should be on the other side of this forest," Alec told the group.
"Then let's hurry it up," Ash said, clearly wanting to get some more training done.
[Hey, Bonnie, take a look at that,] Dedenne pips up.
"What's up?" Bonnie asks, hearing the commotion Dedenne was making. The group looked to see a Sentret and a Patrat holding an Oran berry near a tree, which had a lot of berries inside.
[Found one,] the Patrat told Sentret.
[Great, can you put it with the others?] Sentret asked.
[Sure thing,] Patrat said before placing the berry in the tree. A Pachirisu then climbed down the tree with a Sitrus berry.
"The Pokémon around here seem to be really good friends," Serena pointed out.
"That's not surprising. A lot of times smaller Pokémon will band together," Alec explained.
"We should probably leave them be," Clement said. The group agreed and went on their way. They didn't get far when a loud scream was heard from where the Pokémon were.
"Sounds like trouble," Alec said and ran to the source. When the group arrived, the Pokémon from earlier were hiding in a tree while an Ursaring seemed to be grabbing all the berries. The smaller Pokémon shouted in protest, but Ursaring silenced them with a roar. Ash, Alec, and Bonnie then ran over to the tree much to Serena and Clemont's protest.
"You give those berries back to them now!" Bonnie demanded.
"He won't get far. Sumo, have at him!" Alec shouted as he threw the Poké Ball to reveal a Shiny Hawlucha. Before Alec could call an attack, a shadow flew over the group. He turned to look and saw a regular Hawlucha jump over them and land at the top of the tree holding a pose.
"What an awesome Pokémon," Ash said amazed.
"I wonder if Hawlucha is trying to get the berries from Ursaring and give them back?" Clemont questioned. Alec didn't say anything, but had a case of deja vu. Ursaring let out a loud roar as Hawlucha glided down from the tree and wrapped its legs around the bear Pokémon's neck before throwing it to the ground.
"Aw, man!" Ash shouted. Hawlucha then unleashed a barrage of Karate Chops before slamming a High Jump Kick into Ursaring's chin.
"That Hawlucha seems pretty impressive," Alec commented.
[He's got some skill, I'll give him that,] Sumo said with little emotion. Hawlucha then jumped back up the tree and held a pose that was familiar to Alec, who supposed Hawlucha must have been going for Flying Press.
"What's going on?" Bonnie asked.
"It's Hawlucha's victory pose. Hawlucha always does that before his finishing move," a man behind them explained.
"But if it poses like that…" Serena said. Hawlucha then jumped off and used Flying Press, but Ursaring got out of the way at the last second and avoided the attack. Hawlucha, unable to slow down, slammed into the ground.
"Opponents always dodge his final move at the last second," the man finished.
"Not surprising. Hawlucha likely does that pose out of pride," Alec stated.
"You're correct. Hawlucha has to pose, even if his opponent runs away. That's just the way he battles," the man said.
"What an interesting Pokémon," Ash comments.
"Looks like Hawlucha's battling efforts gave the Pokémon their berries back," Clemont pointed out. Ursaring then came back holding a large boulder and raised it up to smash Hawlucha with it.
"Sumo, Iron Head!" Alec called out. Sumo then rammed into Ursaring and sent the boulder out of its claws. Ursaring then turned and ran.
[You alright?] Sumo asked while holding a hand out.
[I've been better,] Hawlucha answered as he took Sumo's hand and was helped up. The group then ran up to the two.
"Hey, Hawlucha, I really like your awesome attitude about battling," Ash complimented. Hawlucha said his thanks and jumped off somewhere.
[He seems like someone else we know,] Ethan commented.
[You have something to say?] Sumo questioned.
"Don't even start you two," Alec said tiredly. Ash then said something to draw his attention to him.
"So, you like Hawlucha ay?" the man asked.
"Do you know a lot of stuff about Hawlucha?" Ash asked.
"Yes, I've been caretaker for this forest for a long time so I know Hawlucha quite well," he answered.
"Can you tell us about it?" Ash asked excitedly.
"I'd be happy to. Let's head back to my place, we can talk there," he responded. It wasn't long before they were introducing themselves. The man introduced himself as Keanon before getting to Hawlucha. "One day, he simply wandered into the forest. There are a lot of fighting type Pokémon here, so I'm pretty sure that Hawlucha wanted to see how he stacked up against them in battle. One after another, Hawlucha defeated the strongest Pokémon in the forest. Earning the nickname The Forest Champion. Hawlucha helps defend the gentler Pokémon against the more aggressive ones, which ends up being a big help to me," he explained.
"Just like we witnessed before," Clemont realized.
"But today Hawlucha lost," Bonnie pointed out.
"Its attacks take a bit too much time," Serena commented.
"Hawlucha would have beaten Ursaring, if only it hadn't posed," Clemont continued.
"Hawlucha has a special sense of battle artistry, even if it means defeat. It's simply something he must do," Keanon explains.
"I get it. Hawlucha's really dedicated to his fighting style," Ash stated.
"Heard that. Sumo here is pretty much the same way, though he can use Flying Press effectively," Alec said.
"If you're interested I'd be more than happy to show you the place where Hawlucha does his special training," Keanon offered.
"Really, you'd do that?! That'd be great!" Ash said excitedly. The group then followed Keanon deep into the forest where they stopped by a waterfall. Hawlucha stood at the top, looking like he was going to use Flying Press. Hawlucha jumped off and used Flying Press into the water. As Hawlucha started to climb out Ash lent him a hand and Hawlucha accepted. "My name is Ash, and I'd like you to try your Flying Press on me," Ash offered.
[That could really hurt you,] Hawlucha warns. Ash seemed to notice Hawlucha's dilemma.
"You don't have to worry about me. See, it would be really awesome if you let me help you perfect that move," Ash reassures Hawlucha. Hawlucha accepts and Ash grabs an old trunk to act as a target. Hawlucha goes in with Flying Press and Ash dodges out of the way. "Too slow. Do that and I'll dodge just like Ursaring did. You gotta be fast," Ash tells Hawlucha. The same thing repeated for a while. Alec noticed Sumo was getting agitated by the fact that Hawlucha wasn't learning anything and, personally, he was feeling the same. After another failed attempt Alec and Sumo walked up to the two.
"Hang on for a moment," Alec told them. They turn to look at him as Alec explains his idea. "Why don't we have Sumo show you what he does with Flying Press. Maybe you can pick something up from him," Alec offers.
"Yeah, that might work," Ash responds and Hawlucha nods. Sumo then starts climbing up the waterfall and Ash gives Alec the tree.
"Hang on to that Ash, I won't need it," Alec tells him.
"What do you mean?" Ash asked confused. Alec didn't say anything as he got ready.
"Let 'er rip Sumo!" Alec calls out. Sumo then jumps off the waterfall and poses in mid-air before folding his wings in for a dive bomb. Sumo then spreads his wings at the last minute and the Flying Press hits Alec square in the chest. Alec is pushed back a few feet before his feet gripped the ground and he threw Sumo off of him. Sumo lands on his feet as Alec turns to Hawlucha. "Something like that would work, and if I'm reading you right, you'll put your own little twist into that," Alec told Hawlucha.
[I've never thought of that,] Hawlucha says to himself.
[I didn't either till Alec thought of it. It helps a lot,] Sumo tells him.
"Something's coming," Serena suddenly says. The group turned to look to see the Ursaring from earlier with a Conkeldurr.
[Get ready, this looks like trouble,] Ethan says as he, Sumo, and Pikachu gets into combat stances. Alec's attention is then drawn to the Pokémon behind the two bullies and a Machamp steps out, looking angry.
[Hawlucha!] Machamp calls out.
[What are you doing here? I thought you were training in the mountains!] Hawlucha asks.
[I'm here because you have betrayed your duty as the Forest Champion,] Machamp accuses.
[What is he talking about?] Ethan asks Hawlucha.
[I don't know, but I know it has something to do with Ursaring and Conkeldurr,] Hawlucha answers then turns to Machamp. [If you are here to reclaim your title, then let's battle,] Hawlucha challenges.
[Let's,] Machamp responds, holding Ursaring and Conkeldurr back. Machamp and Hawlucha then run at each other and get into an arm lock. Machamp then uses his extra pair of arms to slam dual Karate Chops down on to Hawlucha. Hawlucha responds with his own Karate Chops across Machamp's face. At first, Machamp seemed to flinch at the attacks, but Alec noticed Machamp was taking them, not even moving.
"They're sizing each other up," Alec realizes, feeling like an idiot for not realizing it sooner.
"What do you mean?" Ash asks.
"Machamp is trying to figure out Hawlucha's resolve while Hawlucha is seeing how hard Machamp has prepared for this. This could go on for a while till one or both of them decide to let the real battle begin," Alec explains. As he was explaining this to the group, Ursaring and Conkeldurr ran over and used attacks on Hawlucha.
[What in the name of Arceus are they doing?!] Ethan shouts. He moves forward to intervene but Sumo stops him. [What are you doing Sumo?! We have to help him!]
[Machamp may be willing to play this way, but Hawlucha won't,] Sumo explains.
"He's right Ethan. We just have to trust Hawlucha," Alec tells him.
[You hate this as much as I do, so why are you doing it?] Ethan asked. Alec didn't respond, but he knew Ethan was right. Ursaring and Conkeldurr close in on Hawlucha while Machamp stays back with a clear look of shock. Alec wasn't the only one to notice.
"I think Machamp is as surprised as us. Ursaring and Conkeldurr must have planned this," Keanon says. As Hawlucha gets up, he is struck by Ursaring toward Conkeldurr and the two Pokémon bat Hawlucha around like Hawlucha's the ball at a Ping-Pong table. While this was happening, Alec was forming a plan of attack in his mind when Ursaring hits Hawlucha over to Machamp. Machamp just stood there stunned as Ursraring picked up Hawlucha and held him like a target.
[You two tricked me!] Machamp shouted.
[So what if we did? Hawlucha had to go and you were more than willing to get your title back,] Ursaring mocked.
[But thank you for helping us take down Hawlucha,] Conkeldurr continued the mockery.
[You think you two can get away with something like this?!] Machamp questions.
[Yes, we do,] Conkeldurr responds as he moves to give the finishing blow to Hawlucha. Ash and Machamp then run at the two Pokémon, but Machamp gets there first and flips over them while slamming one of his upper fists into each of their heads. Machamp lands as Ursaring and Conkeldurr collapse with swirls in their eyes. Hawlucha then recovers and looks at Machamp.
[You weren't a part of this?] Hawlucha asks.
[They made a fool out of me. And I'd rather regain my title honorably then through shady double crossings like that,] Machamp responds. Machamp then picks up Ursaring and Conkeldurr and starts to leave. [We'll continue this battle another time,] Machamp promises.
[Another time then,] Hawlucha responds. Machamp then leaves and Ash walks up to Hawlucha.
"Too bad about your battle Hawlucha. But if you still want a battle, I'll battle you," Ash offered. Hawlucha accepted and the two prepared for battle.
[I'm ready,] Pikachu says, but Ash stops him.
"Wait a minute buddy, there's someone else I want to try out against Hawlucha's fierce battling style," Ash says before he decides to throw a Poké Ball that held Froakie.
"So Ash has a Froakie, huh," Alec remarks. The battle kicks off with a Water Pulse from Froakie, but Hawlucha dodges the attack. Hawlucha then moves in for High Jump Kick and Froakie counters with Double Team, causing Hawlucha to miss and hit the ground. Froakie then used Bubble and Hawlucha dodges by gliding across the river. Hawlucha then starts to climb the waterfall with Froakie right behind him. Froakie then tried to grab Hawlucha, but missed and went into the river as Hawlucha landed on a branch overlooking the river. Ash then calls out Double Team, causing multiple Froakies to start jumping out of the river and use Pound. Hawlucha dodges all of them while climbing up the tree. Eventually, Hawlucha and the real Froakie jump from the top of the tree and Hawlucha slams a High Jump Kick into Froakie. Hawlucha then stands on top of the tree.
"Here it comes, Hawlucha's Flying Press for the final move," Keanon states. Hawlucha jumps from the tree doing its poss in mid-air. Alec thought Hawlucha was going to dive-bomb, but Hawlucha does a quick spin instead and flies down on Froakie. Froakie counters with Pound and hits Hawlucha. A small explosion occurs when the two moves collide. When the smoke clears, both Hawlucha and Froakie had fainted, though Alec thought it was more due to all the damage Hawlucha took from Ursaring and Conkeldurr from earlier. After a while, Hawlucha recovers enough to stand.
"Hawlucha, thanks. Having a battle with you was great. I think you're a really special Pokémon. Getting your Flying Press perfect like that during a real battle was amazing. It may have looked like a draw but the truth is that I totally lost. I know you're going to be fine from here on out," Ash compliments.
"You know what? I think you want to go with Ash," Keanon suddenly says. Hawlucha nods in response.
[Hawlucha,] Machamp says from the top of the waterfall. [He's right, and you can face better opponents out there than here. It's alright, the forest will be safe with me,] Machamp continues. Hawlucha then looks at Ash and Ash pulls out a Poké Ball and taps it on Hawlucha's head. The ball then shakes and clicks.
"Ash, I know you'll take good care of Hawlucha. Please give him lots of action-packed battles," Keanon asks.
"Right," Ash responds. The group then continues on the road to Shalour City.
"Things just keep getting more and more interesting. Ay Ethan?" Alec asked.
[With us, it'd be an insult if it didn't,] Ethan stated.