Forging Forest Friendships
Alec's POV
The group had stopped to do some training near a waterfall, and Ash was training up Froakie. Froakie then used Pound on the waterfall managing to split the water for a brief moment. [Nice work Froakie,] Pikachu commented.
"Awesome stuff, just like that," Ash told Froakie.
"Wow, they're really pumped up," Bonnie pointed out.
"Froakie is moving faster than ever," Clemont commented.
"Looks like they are really excited for their gym battle against Korrina," Serena stated.
"As they should be. Korrina won't be easy to beat though," Alec pointed out.
"No matter, I'll beat Korrina and then Alec. I wanna battle you. A real one, not just training," Ash said.
"Confident are we? Sure, I look forward to seeing how much you've got," Alec responded. The group then heard something come down the waterfall and looked up to see a massive log about to fall on Pikachu. Froakie reacted quickly and formed a white blade in his hand and cut right through the log.
"What move was that?" Serena asked.
"That was Cut," Clemont explained.
"Wow, Froakie you learned how to use Cut!" Ash said excitedly.
[Thanks for the save,] Pikachu said.
[Anytime,] Froakie responded.
"Froakie must have learned that move trying to save Pikachu," Serena theorized.
"That's not uncommon for a Pokémon to find new power in a stressful situation," Alec explained.
"You're right. First time I met Froakie, it jumped in to save Pikachu," Ash explained.
"Hey Ash, a double battle would be an interesting way for you to train with Froakie. Since Froakie learned a new move trying to save Pikachu, a double battle might do more of the same," Clemont suggested.
"Sounds good. So Ash, you up for it?" Alec asked.
"You bet!" Ash answered. The two then stood across from each other and got ready to battle.
"Ready Ethan?" Alec asked.
[When am I not?] Ethan answered as he stepped forward.
"And now for my next Pokémon. Torch, let's go!" Alec shouted, throwing his Poké Ball.
[Alright, who am I battling this time?] Torch asked. He then turned and saw Ethan next to him. [Oh you've gotta be kidding me. It's one of those battles, isn't it?] Torch asked.
[Alec, I don't think this is a good idea,] Ethan stated.
"You two need to get along, so, this is today's training. And for the love of Arceus, don't blow everything up this time," Alec told them.
[That was pretty funny though,] Ethan commented.
[I suppose it was,] Torch responded.
"See, you two are getting along already," Alec said.
[Don't push your luck,] the two Pokémon said at the same time. They then looked at each other and Torch turned back to Ash.
"And I spoke too soon," Alec muttered to himself.
"If you three are done with your discussion we'll get this battle started. Hawlucha, I choose you!" Ash said. "Hawlucha, Froakie, we're having a double battle, so make sure you help each other out."
[Let's go!] Froakie said.
[Before we begin though,] Hawlucha said and he pointed his fist at Froakie.
"Hawlucha wants to work together," Ash explained to Froakie, who looked confused.
[Okay, sure,] Froakie said, returning Hawlucha's fist bump.
"Ethan, Iron Tail on Froakie. Torch, Burn Up on Hawlucha!" Alec commanded.
"Hawlucha, Froakie, dodge it!" Ash shouted. Froakie jumped clear over Ethan's attack, but Hawlucha stood in place and allowed Torch to slam Burn Up into him, sending Hawlucha back. Froakie landed and gave a disappointed glace at Hawlucha. "Now, it's our turn. Froakie, Bubble. Hawlucha, rapid-fire Karate Chops!"
"Ethan, counter with Psychic! Torch, Eruption!" Alec commanded. Ethan was able to follow through with his command and clumped all the bubbles together, but as Torch was turning to expose Hawlucha to his Eruption attack, Hawlucha hit Torch into Ethan, causing the Bubble attack to slam into the two. "You two alright?" Alec asked.
[Watch what you're doing,] Torch snapped at Ethan. Alec knew what would happen if this continued.
"Get your heads back into the game, we've got a battle to win," Alec told them. "Ethan, jump into the air! Torch, use Earthquake!" As Ethan leaped into the air, Torch prepared to slam his fist into the ground when a Water Pulse from Froakie hit Torch, stopping the attack.
[Torch! You alright?!] Ethan asked as he landed.
[I'm good. It looks worse than it is,] Torch explained.
"Good. That earlier progress hasn't been lost between those two. Course, if I wasn't going easy on them, this battle would already be over. Don't want to lose though. Better step it up a bit," Alec thought to himself. He then noticed Hawlucha get up in Froakie's face.
[What do you think you're doing?] Hawlucha asked accusingly.
[Protecting us from unnecessary damage,] Froakie explained.
"Hawlucha, what's wrong?" Ash asked.
"I think Hawlucha doesn't want Froakie getting in his way," Serena theorized.
"Is that true Hawlucha?" Ash asked.
[More or less,] Hawlucha responded.
[Are you kidding me?] Froakie asked.
"Let's finish this. Ethan, use Psychic and hold them in place. Torch, use Wild Charge!" Alec commanded. Unable to move, Torch's attack slammed into Hawlucha and Froakie, knocking them both out.
[That wasn't that bad,] Torch commented.
[Your welcome by the way,] Ethan said. Alec felt prideful that the two were starting to get along. Now to separate them before it all falls apart.
"Good work, both of you. Torch, return, get some rest," Alec said.
[Actually, I'd like to stay out for a bit,] Torch responded. Alec gave him a skeptical look. [I'll be good,] Torch stated, reading Alec's face.
"Fine, but if you start going for each other's throats again you're both going in your balls," Alec told them. Looking over, Froakie and Hawlucha were now going after each other. Thankfully, Ash was able to stop them before things got out of hand.
"You two are supposed to be on the same team! You're supposed to help each other out!" Ash yelled.
[Sorry, Ash,] Froakie and Hawlucha said in sync then glared at each other. Hawlucha then swooped in and punched Froakie on the head.
[What was that for?!] Froakie shouted.
[For getting in my way,] Hawlucha responded.
[What was that?!]
[You heard me!] Ash then stepped between the two and pulled them apart.
"I told you two to quit it!" Ash told them.
"I think we just solved one problem and replaced it with another," Alec muttered to the rest of the group.
"I think it's special training time. I'll put something together for the two of you," Ash said. Froakie and Hawlucha then looked away from each other as Ash sweatdropped. Ash got started as the rest of the group set up lunch.
"Hey Alec, what did you mean by 'solving one problem by replacing it with another?'" Serena asked.
"Well, Ethan and Torch have been at odds with each other for a while. Ethan is close friends with Flame, my Charizard, and Torch sees Flame as kind of a mentor figure. Since Torch tries to occupy Flame's attention all the time, this has caused a rift between Torch and Ethan," Alec explained.
"Sounds tricky," Bonnie commented.
"It's mainly Torch, to be honest. Ethan's tried to get along, but that hasn't always gone so well. Light's mainly been helping out, acting as a moderator for the two when I was traveling in Johto. This is one of their better days," Alec continued.
"On that note, lunch is ready," Clemont called out.
"Here, freshly-baked Poké Puffs," Serena said, putting the basket by the Pokémon. The group was then shocked to see it empty.
"Oh no, the Poké Puffs are gone!" Bonnie exclaimed.
"But how? I know I put them in here," Serena stated.
"You did. Someone just got to them first," Alec noted.
"Alright, who took the Poké Puffs?" Serena asked the Pokémon. None of them fessed up, but Chespin was the only one who didn't shake his head.
"Well someone took them," Bonnie said.
"You'd better tell us the truth," Clemont told them. Alec looked at Serena and she had a confident smile on her face, and something told Alec that she already knew who took them.
"Well, even if no one will admit it I'll know. I put in those super spicy Poké Puffs Fennekin loves so much, and right about now, things should start heating up in a big, big way," she said. Just as she finished Chespin then shot a massive amount of flames out of his mouth.
"So it was you Chespin!" Serena shouted.
"Poké Puff theft!" Bonnie stated.
[So spicy,] Chespin muttered as the Pokémon glared at him. As Clemont started to get the table set, Alec turned to watch Ash's training with Froakie and Hawlucha.
"Alright, try Super Flying Cut once more!" Ash commanded. Hawlucha then jumped into the air with Froakie right behind him. Froakie, however, landed badly on Hawlucha's back and one of Froakie's hands got in Hawlucha's eye. Hawlucha, unable to maintain control, slammed into the ground. "Goofed again. This isn't going well at all."
[Watch where you're going! And keep your hand out of my eye!] Hawlucha shouted at Froakie.
[Not my fault you're so incompetent that you can't fly in a straight line!] Froakie countered.
[You're the one who's incompetent!] Hawlucha countered.
[No you are!] Froakie shouted.
"Stop it! Not again!" Ash shouted.
[Will you both just quit it?!] Pikachu shouted.
"Try to be a little friendlier," Ash advised. Hawlucha and Froakie's stomachs then rumbled. Ash then handed an Oran Berry to each of them. "Now, let's get that move another try."
[Alright!] Hawlucha said excitedly.
[Okay,] Froakie said. The two Pokémon then got into a battle position as Alec started walking up to tell them that lunch was ready.
"Great, and this time, we'll make it work. Use Super Flying—" Ash started when what appeared to be a Vine Whip came out of the trees and grabbed Ash and pulled him into the trees. Alec, his Pokémon, and Ash's Pokémon ran after him. Suddenly, a Confuse Ray slammed into Alec and the last thing he felt was vines raping around his feet.
Ethan's POV
[Alec!] Ethan shouted upon seeing him dragged away. The Pokémon tried to pursue when large roots blocked their path. Ethan didn't hesitate and jumped over them, along with Torch, Hawlucha, and Froakie. Ethan also heard Pikachu yell out behind him, but he ignored it. They then got to a field where Ethan saw Ash and Alec on what appeared to be a Trevenant. But Ethan didn't get a good look when vines grabbed the Pokémon's feet and hoisted them into the air. Hawlucha and Froakie both tried to swing their way out of the vines but ended up hitting each other.
[Don't worry, I'll get us out!] Torch said.
[Wait! If you use Burn Up you might burn down the whole forest,] Ethan warned.
[And you've got a better idea?] Torch asked rhetorically.
[As a matter of fact, I do,] Ethan said. He used Iron Tail and cut the vine holding him up and landed back on the ground. He then jumped back up and cut everyone free. Torch and Hawlucha slammed into the ground and Froakie fell onto Hawlucha.
[Could have given us a heads up before you did that?] Torch asked.
[Your welcome,] Ethan answered. Hawlucha and Froakie then started to argue again, however, Ethan tuned them out as he noticed something refelt the sunlight at him. Walking up, he realized what it was, Alec's Keystone. The string must have snapped when he was dragged. Ethan also noticed Ash's cap sitting in the field. Froakie walked up and picked it up.
[We have to get them back,] Froakie told the group while handing Ash's cap to Hawlucha, who put it on his head. Ethan then tossed Torch the Keystone.
[Best you hang on to that,] Ethan told him. Torch nodded. Ethan tried to pick up Alec's sent. [This way.] The group then headed in the direction of Alec's sent and quickly found the Trevenant. It also helped that Ash and Alec had regained consciousness because they were demanding to be let go.
[You'd better let them go,] Hawlucha threatened as he and Froakie got in front of Trevenant.
[Or we'll make you,] Torch finished, standing behind Trevenant with Ethan.
"What took you two so long?" Alec asked.
[I require them,] Trevenant stated.
"Watch out for the Confuse Ray!" Ash warned. Froakie then leaped into the air and threw some on his frobble at Trevenant, blinding it. Hawlucha then went for a High Jump Kick but went through Trevenant and hit the ground.
"Ethan, Torch, you two have the type advantage, so take this sucker out!" Alec commanded. Ethan nodded and fired Night Shade at Trevenant and he released Ash and Alec. The two trainers then stood by their Pokémon. Hawlucha then put Ash's cap back on his head and Torch threw Alec's Keystone to him. "Thanks you two," Alec told them.
"Okay, let's test our training. Remember, work together as partners. Use Super Flying Cut!" Ash commanded. Alec looked like he wanted to protest but it didn't matter, as Froakie had jumped at Hawlucha from the front and got caught on his shoulder. Hawlucha's Flying Press phased right through Trevenant and Froakie hit the big tree. Trevenant then fired Willow Wisp and hit Ash's Pokémon. Ethan and Torch then stepped in front of them.
[Don't think we'll be taken down so easily,] Ethan mocked.
"Hey Torch! Remember when you learned Eruption?" Alec suddenly asked. Ethan remembered back and realized Alec's plan.
[You set it up, I'll finish him] Torch told Ethan.
[Got it,] Ethan responded.
"Ethan, Dark Pulse!" Alec commanded. Ethan jumped into the air and aimed the attack just behind Trevenant. The faint worked and Trevenant moved forward when Torch slide under him. "Now Torch!" Alec shouted. Torch then let loose a powerful Eruption attack causing an explosion.
[That did it,] Torch stated. When the smoke cleared, however, Trevenant was somehow still standing.
[But how?] Ethan asked shocked. He then got ready to fire another attack.
[Stop! Stop! I yield!] Trevenant shouted.
"Hold," Alec ordered unnecessarily. "What did you want with us?" Alec asked.
[I need your help with something, but I don't think I can make it there] Trevenant responded. Alec then pulled out a Sitrus Berry and threw it toward Trevenant, who took it and ate it whole. [Thank you. Come, please.]
"He wants us to follow him. Said he needed help," Alec told Ash and the group followed Trevenant.
Alec's POV
After a bit of walking, Alec saw what the problem was. A Sudowoodo and a Bonsly trapped in an electrified net. Recognizing it as a hunter trap, Alec's blood boiled in anger, remembering the hunter when he met Ethan. "Do you bring us here so we could help your friends?" Ash asked.
"Hang on. I've got an idea," Alec said. He reached for the right side of his belt and pulled out a knife.
"Woah! Why do you have a knife?!" Ash asked surprised.
"It's one of the things my father's company makes. It's pretty useful, can cut through the thickest vines, and, better yet, it's made of a specially made insulated metal," Alec explained. He climbed up the tree and managed to get up to the branch that held the trapped Pokémon. "Don't worry, You'll be out of there soon," Alec reassured them. He then cut into the release mechanism and it immediately opened and freed the Pokémon.
[Thank you so much!] they gratefully said. As Alec was climbing down, the rest of the group caught up with them.
"You two okay?" Bonnie asked.
"We're fine. Trevenant here just needed help freeing some Pokémon caught in a hunter's net," Alec explained as he returned his knife to its sheath. Suddenly, another net appeared out of nowhere and caught Pikachu. Alec turned and saw Team Rocket standing on top of a nearby cliff.
"Not you again!" Serena shouted.
"Well the same goes for you," Jessie replied.
"It's all part of our groundbreaking, patent-pending, rare Pokémon stealing strategy," James stated.
"Of course. You're the ones who set a trap of Sudowoodo and Bonsly," Ash realized.
"Wow, he thinks," Meowth said sarcastically. Alec felt his fist clench with a newfound hatred for Team Rocket.
"There is no end to your evil, isn't there?" Alec asked, his voice full of anger.
"Once you join Team Rocket, you'll be thrilled to be doing things like this," Jessie told him.
"I'd rather return to my father then join you!" Alec shouted, his anger rising by the second. Pikachu tried to use Thunderbolt, but the net was insulated. "Ash, let me handle this," Alec told him, unable to keep the anger out of his voice. Ash nodded nervously. Team Rocket then let out Inkay and Pumpkaboo. "Ethan, Torch, let's do this!" The two Pokémon nodded and ran up to face Team Rocket.
[You good Ethan?] Torch asked, seeing Ethan glare at Team Rocket with a similar hatred that Alec was giving them.
[Let's just take these asshat's down,] Ethan responded.
"Ethan, Night Shade!" Alec shouted. The attack hit Pumpkaboo and Inkay taking Pumpkaboo out of the fight and Inkay struggling to remain up.
"Just how strong is he?!" Jessie asked in shock.
"Torch, Burn Up!" Alec commanded. The attack slammed into Inkay and Torch continued and hit Team Rocket while freeing Pikachu, who immediately ran to Ash. "Finish it off! Torch, use Eruption! Ethan, use Dark Pulse!" The Eruption through Team Rocket into the air and fully sent Team Rocket into a blastoff. Alec took a few deep breaths to calm himself down before turning to his friends, who looked terrified. "I'm sorry you had to see that side of me. I just can't stand the use of traps like that to capture Pokémon," Alec apologized.
"Don't apologize. Considering what you've seen, I'm not surprised you acted that way," Clemont responded.
"It was kind of scary though," Bonnie said nervously.
"I imagine it was. I try not to let that happen, but I hate Pokémon hunters and their traps and tactics. So, when I see one, it reminds me how close I was to losing Ethan," Alec stated. Ethan hoped onto Alec's shoulder and he nuzzled against his cheek. "I'm okay," Alec told him, scratching the side of his neck.
As the group left the area, Trevenant, Sudowoodo, and Bonsly saying their goodbyes. Alec's mind, however, went somewhere else. If it weren't for the deep breaths, which would have been near impossible had the moment lasted a little longer, he would have remained in that state for a long time. Who knows what would've happened. Alec thought to himself, "Can't allow myself to lose control like that again. I don't even want to think of what might have happened if I turned on my friends. I couldn't forgive myself if I did."
Quick announcement before the chapter ends, Season 2 of my MLP series will now commence. As a result, this story will be on hold for a bit while I work on the Prologue and the first two episodes. Still, I hope you all enjoyed.