Chapter 16: The Battle of Brooklet Hill

"There you go, Ash! Your Pikachu is all better now! Good luck on your journey."

"Thanks Nurse Joy!"

After healing up their Pokémon, Hau went back to Route 5 to do some training while Ash called up Professor Oak to do a transfer.

"All set to go on ahead, Ash?"

"You bet! I heard Brooklet Hill is a hotspot for swimming, so I sent Heracross back and had Professor Oak send me..."

He opened the Pokeball, releasing his Totodile. The little blue Pokémon danced happily. Rotomdex emerged from Ash's pocket.

"Ooooh, a Totodile. Letzzzz see, Totodile: The Big Jaw Pokémon. Despite the smallness of its body, Totodile's jaws are very powerful. While it may think its playfully nipping, its bite has enough strength to cause serious injury."

Totodile opened his mouth wide, trying to bite the poor Rotomdex. Rotom flew out of the way quickly, looking rather annoyed as it flew back into Ash's pocket.

"Zzzzzt, hey! I didn't ask for a demonstration!"

Ash and Ilima laughed, but their fun was cut short when they saw what lay ahead. A line of Sudowoodo blocking the path ahead, their smug grins indicating that they weren't about to let them pass.

"Hey, get out of the way will ya? We got to get through!"

Ash's words fell on deaf ears, the tree Pokémon ready to stand their ground.

"Alright, you asked for it. Totodile, use-"

But before Ash could finish his command the Sudowoodo turned around, running for their lives. Ash allowed a smug smirk to cross his face.

"Yeah, and don't come back!"

"Are you two alright?"

Ash and Ilima turned to see a blue haired girl carrying a fishing rod walking up the lane.

"Yeah, we're fine. Those Sudowoodo were just in the way."

The girl laughed at this.

"Oh, those Sudowoodo are always up to mischief. But they don't bother me anymore, not since I blasted them with my Z-Move."

Ash and Ilima exchanged looks of surprise.

"Are you two headed to Brooklet Hill? I can show you the way, and make sure those Sudowoodo don't come back."

"That'd be great, thanks!"

"Great! My name's Lana by the way."

"I'm Ash, and he's Ilima.

With that, the trio were on the way. But Ilima couldn't help but shake off the feeling that he had seen her somewhere before.

By the time they reached Brooklet Hill, the sky began to darken. From the shore, they could see splashing in the water. Lana seemed worried.

"Oh dear, that may be a Pokémon causing trouble. Ash, could I ask you to go and check it out? I only brought one Pokémon, and she's not much of a battler."

Ash nodded confidently.

"Of course, I'm always looking for a battle."

"Great! As thanks, I'll let you borrow my Pokémon to help you on your journey. Go Lapras!"

The transport Pokémon emerged in a bright light, cooing lightly. Ash's grin widened.

"Alright! I used to have a Lapras too, back when I traveled in The Orange Islands."

"Hmm, I've heard of them before. Always wanted to go there, but never quite had the time."

Lapras lowered her neck, allowing Ash and Pikachu to climb on.

"Alright Lapras, head towards that splashing."

Lapras nodded, gliding over to the source. As Ash neared the location, rain began to pour. Lana and Ilima watched Ash's progress from the shore, Lana especially seeming to be intrigued.

"Its here..."

"Huh?"

Ilima's confusion was answered as a large shadow began to emerge from the waters, unnerving Ash.

"What the-"

With a burst of water, the figure emerged, a towering Pokémon with menacing glowing eyes, roaring as if to challenge Ash. Ash recovered from his shock and tilted his hat.

"Alright, you asked for it. Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikachuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"

A single bolt of electricity shot out, striking the behemoth and causing it to roar out in pain. The monster shook it off quickly, striking back with Water Gun.

"Dodge it Pikachu, and then use Electro Ball!"

Pikachu leapt off of Lapras, launching a ball of electricity at the behemoth, shocking it once more. To Ash's surprise, the creature dispersed, water splashing back into the lake, leaving a Fish like Pokémon splashing about.

"So that's the Pokémon we've been facing. Rotom?"

"Way ahead of you, Ash! Wishiwash, the small fry Pokémon. When its in trouble, its eyes moisten and begin to shine. The shining light attracts its comrades, and they stand together against their enemies."

Realizing it no longer had any advantage over his opponents, the Wishiwashi swam away, only to be caught in a net from above. Ash knew who they were instantly.

"Team Rocket!"

The nefarious trio laughed proudly from their balloon.

"That's right twerp! We'll be taking this insanely powerful Pokémon off of your hands."

"Not if I have to say anything about it. Pikachu, go!"

"Pika Pi!"

"Oh yeah, well go Mareannie!"

James released his new Pokémon, expecting it to attack Ash...

Only for it to hug him instead, wrapping its poisonous spikes around his head instead. Fortunately, James managed to unlatch it from him, throwing it at Pikachu.

"Attack Pikachu, not me!"

Mareanie recovered quickly, shooting out Poison Jabs from its spikes.

"Iron Tail, Pikachu!"

Without even flinching, Pikachu swatted the jabs right back at them, causing them all to flinch in pain.

"Pikachu, use Thundershock!"

"PikaCHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

Team Rocket could only holler in pain as electricity flowed through their bodies, causing their balloon to explode and for them to be sent flying off into the distance.

"Why do we always forget about Pikachu?"

"Forget that, what about that Pokémon?"

"Forget them both, because..."

"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"

With a twinkle team rocket was gone, the wishiwashi splashing harmlessly back into the lake. With a sigh of exhaustion, Ash drove Lapras back to the shore. Lana stood waiting for them, a smile of approval adorning her face.

"Well done, Ash! As a reward for defeating the totem Pokémon, please take this Waterium Z."

Lana placed the small blue crystal into Ash's hand. Ash's face broke out into a large grin.

"Alright, I just got a Waterium Z!"

"Pika Pi!"

Then Lana's words hit him full force.

"Wait, what? Totem Pokémon!"

"Oh, did I forget to mention? I'm one of the Trial Captains of Brooklet Hill. I must say, that was the most interesting trial I've witnessed in a long time. Well, why don t I treat you two to dinner to celebrate!"

Lana skipped cheerfully ahead, leaving Ash and Ilima agape.