Defending the Homeland
Alec's POV
After leaving Lumiose City, the group had stopped near a small river for and their Pokémon were out having food as well. Before they left the city, Alec had swapped out most of his team members. He still had Inferno, but Light, Snake (Steelix), Dragona (Dragonite), and Cell (Reuniclus) had been swapped in.
The others were really digging in, but Alec found himself a bit distracted thinking about what happened with Cassidy just a few hours earlier. "You alright Alec? Is my new recipe bad?" Clemont asked, noticing Alec had barely touched his food.
"Hmm. Oh, I'm fine and the food's great. I'm just thinking," he admitted.
"About Cassidy?" Serena asked mischievously.
Alec felt his face redden but he quickly got it under control. "Maybe. It's none of your concern," he answered.
"What's going on with Cassidy?" Ash asked, clearly clueless and for once, Alec was glad he was.
Before anyone could answer Ash, the group heard a commotion behind them and noticed that Chespin had knocked over Dedenne's food. Whether it was on purpose or not, Dedenne didn't care as he used Thundershock on Chespin.
"Chespin," Clemont groaned. Before he could do anything, Goodra gave his food to Chespin.
[Here you go,] he said before picking up Dedenne. [You two can share mine.]
Both Pokémon ate from Goodra's bowl and were pleased. [Hope he doesn't expect the rest of us to do that,] Dragona stated.
[I think it was sweet,] Cell said.
[Yeah, it was quite nice of him. What do you think Snake?] Light asked.
[It was a nice idea. Though if he complains about being hungry it's his own fault,] Snake stated.
"That was nice of you Goodra," Ash told his Pokémon.
As the group finished and started packing up, a Bellsprout suddenly ran up to Goodra. [Hey there! It's been so long!] he said.
[Bellsprout? Is that you? It's good to see you,] Goodra greeted.
[Look, Kenan, it is him!] Bellsprout shouted to an old man as he walked up to Goodra.
"Well, so it is you. It's been such a long time Goomy, sorry, Goodra," he said to Goodra, who cuddled him a bit.
[Who do you think you are?] Dragona asked threateningly.
"Stand down. Let's see where this goes," Alec told her. Dragona reluctantly backed down.
"Excuse me, do you and Goodra know each other?" Ash asked the man.
"Who are you?" he asked, more out of curiosity.
"Sorry, I'm Ash, Goodra's trainer," he told him. The rest of the group introduced themselves and the man introduced himself as Kenan.
"You see, this Goodra used to live in the wetlands not too far from here. I happen to be the caretaker of this area," Kenan explained.
"So this is where Goodra's from," Ash commented.
"Hey Ash, can we go see where Goodra used to live?" Bonnie asked.
"Sounds good to me. What do you say Goodra?" Ash asked.
[Go… there…] Goodra said, looking concerned.
[Come on Goodra. You don't have to get involved if you don't want to, but you can at least see it,] Bellsprout said to Goodra.
Goodra agreed and everyone but Goodra, Ethan, Dedenne, and Pikachu were returned to their balls. The group headed towards the wetlands and explained what happened to Goodra since they found him. When they arrived, they looked over the wetlands from Kenan's home. "So, how does your old home look?" Kenan asked Goodra.
[Just like it always has,] Goodra muttered.
"I still don't get how Goomy fell from the flock of Swanna back then?" Bonnie questioned.
"Any idea on how that could have happened?" Alec asked Kenan. He wasn't asking Goodra since he didn't want to attract any unnecessary attention to his abilities and hoped Serena would show the same restraint.
"It's because of the nature of the wetlands themselves," Kenan started.
"What'd you mean?" Ash asked.
"There's a spring located here that contains water that has powerful healing effects on the minds and bodies of Pokémon. Goomy was living here with all the other Pokémon, but other Pokémon wanted the spring and a terrible feud started. They came here strong and fast, the Pokémon here had no time to mount any sort of defense," Kenan explained.
"What about the other Pokémon?" Clemont asked.
"Did they all run away?" Bonnie questioned.
"Thankfully, they're all still here, but they're forced into a small corner of the wetlands," Kenan explained.
The group decided they'd stay as long as Goodra felt like staying and Kenan went off to do his routine. "It sure is quiet here," Clemont commented after a while.
"It's hard to believe there was fighting here. It's so peaceful," Serena added.
[Hello!] Goodra shouted into the wind.
"I really wish we could do something," Alec muttered.
[Who's that?] Pikachu asked suddenly. The group looked and saw a Wooper step out and approach Goodra.
[Excuse me, do I know you?] Wooper asked Goodra.
[Whooper! It's me, Goomy. I've just evolved,] Goodra told Wooper excitedly.
[Goomy! It's so good to see you!] Wooper cheered as Goodra picked him up with his antenna.
[It's good to see you two,] Goodra said.
[I suppose I should call you Goodra now,] Wooper joked.
"Looks like that's one of Goodra's friends," Ash said.
Four Gulpin, two Quagsire, another Wooper, and two Lotad then appeared as well and talked to Goodra. "There are so many of them," Bonnie commented on seeing the group.
"They must all be Goodra's friends when he lived here," Clemont theorized.
"I doubt they expected Goomy to reappear as Goodra though," Alec commented.
"I think so too," Serena said.
Goodra then proceeded to show off his new strength. "That's the idea Goodra, show them how much stronger you've gotten," Ash advised. Goodra nodded at his trainer.
[Want to see something really cool?] Goodra asked his friends and they all were excited about what Goodra would show them. Goodra then stepped forward and fired a Dragon Pulse into the air, making an impressive display of power.
[Help!] a Swanna called out as she approached the group of Pokémon. [The invaders have attacked our last safe haven, we need help!] Swanna shouted.
[Show me the way,] Goodra said and Swanna turned back with the Pokémon behind them.
"What's going on?" Ash asked. Alec translated quickly and the humans realized how bad the situation was. "Goodra, go help them out," Ash told him.
[Way ahead of you,] Goodra said as he and the other Pokémon ran after Swanna.
"We're going to," Ash said as he prepared to follow the Pokémon.
"Hold on a minute. This whole thing is a quarrel between wild Pokémon. It's not something we should get involved in," Kenan stated.
"As much as I hate to say it, he's right. If we get involved then they'll see it as an unfair advantage. We can only get involved if they affect us personally," Alec told Ash.
"So you're saying we should let the Pokémon settle this themselves?" Clemont asked and Alec nodded.
"You get it, Ash?" Alec asked him.
Ash looked like he was struggling with a decision, but settled with, "Okay, I won't get involved, but I still want to be there to cheer for Goodra and his friends," Ash said. Kenan agreed to that and they headed down the path towards where Goodra was heading.
When they arrived, they saw Goodra standing in front of the Wetland Pokémon, who were taking cover in the rocks nearby. The invader group consisted of Pinsir, Seviper, Ariados, Beedrill, Yanmega, and a Blue Flower Forges riding on top of one of the Yanmega.
"So those are the Pokémon attacking?" Serena asked.
"It would appear so," Alec answered.
"Alright Goodra, go get them! I know you can do it!" Bonnie cheered.
[You got this buddy!] Dedenne called out.
Some of the Pinsir fired off X-Scissors and the Wetland Pokémon countered with a bunch of Water Guns. [Engage!] Florges commanded.
[Let's do this,] Pikachu said, preparing to jump down into the conflict.
"Pikachu, no!" Ash shouted.
[But Goodra needs us,] Pikachu protested.
"Remember, this is their battle and not ours," Ash reminded his partner. Pikachu backed down in response.
The fight appeared to be going pretty evenly with Goodra on the field tanking heavy hits before dishing them back out, the other Pokémon providing cover. The Seviper then started to advance, but the Yanmega with the Florges on it's back flew in front of them. [Halt,] she ordered. Florges then jumped off the Yanmega and into a nearby puddle.
Florges and Goodra stared at each other and Alec barely noticed Goodra shaking. "Goodra!" Ash called out. "It's okay! You can do this no doubt. You're really strong now, not the Goomy you were back then. Believe in yourself and go for it," Ash encouraged Goodra.
Goodra smiled and turned to face Florges. Florges started the battle with Petal Blizzard and Goodra countered with Dragon Pulse. Goodra then attempted to hit Florges with his tail, but she dodged at the last second. Florges then set up Grassy Terrain and used Solar Beam. Goodra stopped it with Dragon Pulse, but some nearby flowers fired off Solar Beams and hit the Wetland Pokémon.
[Are you all okay?] Goodra asked in concern.
[We're fine, just win this Goodra,] Wooper said.
Two more Solar Beams were fired from the flowers but Goodra took them head on. Florges then fired Moonblast and Goodra took that as well. As Florges prepared to fire off another Moonblast, Goodra looked worse for wear and Alec didn't think he could take another Moonblast.
"You're still in it Goodra. Wrap it up! You can still battle, can't you? Then show us how strong you are!" Ash encouraged Goodra. Goodra smiled and a white ball formed in his mouth.
"Is that?" Serena asked.
"Goodra's using Ice Beam!" Clemont realized.
"Goodra learned Ice Beam! Yay! Yay!" Bonnie cheered.
"Go for it Goodra!" Alec shouted.
Florges then fired Moonblast and Ash shouted, "Here we go. Do it!" as Goodra fired Ice Beam. Goodra's attack burst through the Moonblast and hit Florges hard, causing a cold explosion.
Florges fell to the ground, Goodra's Ice Beam doing a ton of damage. The other Pokémon on Florges' side looked surprised as the Wetland Pokémon cheered for Goodra. Two attacks suddenly came out from nowhere and knocked Goodra down.
"Goodra! Are you okay?" Ash asked as he ran up to his Pokémon. Goodra's response was a low moan.
"Where did that come from?" Clemont asked.
"I don't know. It was either more of Florges' Pokémon, or a third party who seeks to ally with them," Alec theorized.
"We've gotta do something," Serena said, looking at the injured Goodra.
"Right. Goodra, return," Ash said, quickly pulling up Goodra's ball.
"You guys go on ahead. I'm going to do some investigating," Alec said.
"But didn't you say we shouldn't get involved?" Serena asked.
"I did. Don't worry, I won't interfere," Alec reassured his sister. The others returned to Kenan's place as Alec pulled out a Poké Ball and an Ultra Ball. "Light, Snake, come on out!" Alec shouted, releasing the two Pokémon.
[You have need of us?] Snake asked.
"Something else is going on here. I don't know what, but I intend to find out. Light, I want you to go to Florges and try to talk to her. See why she's doing what she's doing. Snake, protect her. You're typing counters most of Florges' Pokémon, so if things go south, you get yourselves out of there," Alec told them.
[You can count on us,] Light said hopefully.
[I'll do what I must,] Snake told Alec.
The two Pokémon then followed the Invader Pokémons trail and Alec headed back to Kenan's. [You sure about this?] Ethan asked.
"To be honest, I don't know Ethan. But something's going on and I just can't stand by and do nothing," Alec said.
[Well, you're not interfering with wild Pokémon affairs, so we're innocent,] Ethan commented.
"As innocent as we can be," Alec added.
Light's POV
As Light and Snake followed the trail towards where Florges was, it was almost night time when they saw a large rock defended by a lot of bug types. [Think this is it?] Light asked Snake.
[Likely. Too many Pokémon here to be a coincidence,] Snake said.
The two then approached the rock and Snake was immediately spotted. [Halt! What do you want?] a Pinsir demanded.
Light put her hands up to show she wasn't hostile. [I just want to talk with your leader,] Light answered.
[Tell Florges that someone wants to talk with her,] the Pinsir said to a nearby Yanmega. Yanmega nodded and flew off towards the rock.
After a bit of waiting, Yanmega returned. [Alright, the one who's going to talk with our leader, follow me, the other stays here,] he said.
[Be careful Light, there's something about them I don't trust,] Snake whispered.
[I'm sure I'll be fine,] Light told him.
[Wish I had your positivity,] Snake commented. Light then followed the Yanmega up to the rock and entered a cave. Inside, Light saw Florges standing in a pool that led into a river that waterfalled over the edge.
[What do you want?] Florges asked.
[My name is Light, and I just wanted to know why you've been so… aggressive… in taking over the wetlands,] Light asked.
[Because I need the water's healing properties, and the Pokémon here might not have let us have it,] Florges answered. [But why do you care? You clearly are a human's Pokémon,] Florges asked, pointing to the Ampharosite on Light's tail.
[Call it curiosity. I saw the battle between you and Goodra and I thought we could negotiate a peaceful solution,] Light told her, partially lying, but she didn't want Florges to think Alec was interfering.
[You want to know why we came here? Fine,] Florges said, pulling a Floette out of a small pool that Light didn't see before. [My daughter is sick, and I thought the waters of this place could heal her, but it isn't working. The Pokémon here must have done something to the water,] Florges explained.
[But, that doesn't make any sense. They need the water as much as you so why would they do something that would harm them?] Light asked.
[I don't know, but there will be no peace until my daughter is healed,] Florges said. She then sighed. [Now, I'm sorry about what happens next. You seem quite nice.]
[What does that-] Light started when a device landed near her and trapped her in a hardlight cage. Light fired Thunderbolt into the cage but it had no effect. Light then heard Snake cry out and realized that he was being attacked. [What did you do?!] Light asked Florges in shock, but her question was met in silence.
"That was easy," a familiar woman said and Light recognized them. Team Rocket, she believed they were called.
"An Ampharos and a Steelix. It's our lucky day," James commented.
"And soon we'll have Pikachu and Umbreon too," Meowth added. Light scowled at Team Rocket. She wasn't the type to get mad, in fact, she always tried to see the best in others, but Team Rocket really pissed her off.
Alec's POV
When Alec returned to Kenan's place, he found Goodra being healed. "Goodra will be fine, right?" Ash asked Kenan.
"Yes. Goodra just needs some rest and he'll be as good as new," Kenan said.
"Hey Alec, how'd your investigation go?" Bonnie asked when she saw him.
"I couldn't find anything so I sent Light and Snake to look around, I'm sure they'll find something," Alec answered.
"Well, as long as they don't get involved with the wild Pokémon, I'm sure they'll be fine," Kenan said. Alec just managed to not show any reaction to what Kenan said.
Later, Goodra was resting and Alec was getting worried. Light and Snake weren't back yet and it was pretty late. Even if they didn't know their way back Light should have sent some kind of signal even if it was a move into the sky.
"Are Light and Snake still not back yet?" Serena asked as she laid her hammock next to Alec's.
"Yeah. I'm getting kind of worried," Alec admitted.
Suddenly, something crashed through the window and grabbed Pikachu, Dedenne, Ethan, and Goodra's friend Wooper. "What the!" Ash said in surprise. He and Alec ran out of the window and saw some Ariados and Beedrill taking the Pokémon away. "Get back here!" Ash shouted after them.