Author's Note

Finals are the worst thing in this world. Hope y'all enjoy!

-Blackmon220

Chapter 6
A Night in the Woods

Though it was dark, Echo could still see the green in the area. It was nothing like the desolate Iron Islands. This area was lush. It had grass and bushes and trees that where alive. It was beautiful. However, Echo wasn't focused on the beauty alone. She was looking for a place to lose Team Galactic.
It had been over ten minutes since they entered these woods and Echo was getting tired. So was Riolu. They just couldn't keep up this pace. With a quick glance over her shoulder she could see her pursuers slowly catching up. Echo's eyes search longingly ahead of her. There. The path path started to get a little windy ahead. Enough where it would hide Echo and Riolu from Team Galactic's sight as they jumped off the path into the shrubs.

"When I say. . . we are gonna hide. . . in the bushes on the. . . left of the path." Echo explained to Riolu. She was breathing hard. She was running hard. Like her life depended on it.

-Ok- Riolu responded. He sounded fine. Maybe his speech wasn't affect by air since he talked through aura. As they rounded the corner Echo saw the spot. There was a bush 4 feet tall and 8 or 9 feet wide with a small path on one side.

"Now!" She said and veered left to the bush. Riolu was in front of her. Together they quickly got behind the bush and laid down. Echo wanted to be sure they weren't seen. The hardest part was getting her breathing under control. She was huffing and puffing when Team Galactic rounded the bend.

"Come on! We're catching up!"

"Hurry up! We could loose her on these bends!"

Echo held her breath although she probably didn't need to. Those guys where extremely loud. They left as quickly as they came. Echo let her breath go and resumed gasping for air. She rolled to her back and looked at Riolu who was sitting upright, breathing heavily. They sat quietly for a few minutes as they recovered. The woods where quiet. Echo expected to see more Pokemon around. All she could see was a few Wingull's sleeping in the trees and Echo had seen Wingull's her whole life. She wanted to see something new. Riolu broke her train of thought. -What do we do now, Echo?-

"We should probably wait a while. The only way we can move on is down the path since we don't know where we are going. I don't think it would be a good idea to follow the people who where chasing us.", Echo explained after a second of thought. "We can just hang out here for now. It's pretty well hidden from the path."

They sat in silence again for about a minute or so before Echo couldn't take the silence. "Do you still have the Aura Stone?"

-Ya-, Riolu held out his hand to show her. -I could never get rid of it. It means a lot to me.-

"Where did you find it? Isn't it rare?", Echo asked while sitting up and leaning her back against a tree.

-It was a gift. My parents gave it to me-, Riolu said with a small sniffle, looking at the ground. Echo scolded herself for that. Thats not something Riolu needed to think about. Echo tried to draw his attention away from the though of his parents. "Since your a Pokemon, do you know how to battle? Do you have any moves?"

-I know a little. I've fought a couple others on the island but I'm pretty scattered. I never really have a plan. I was told you should-, Riolu explain. He was looking up now. Echo could feel his aura brighten. He must like battling. -I have a couple moves. Force Palm, Quick Attack, and Low Sweep. Very low level. But I've almost got a good one down! Just a little more practice and I can use Aura Sphere!-

Riolu seemed to be getting excited. His aura was extremely warm and happy. It made Echo feel good. "That's great. Is that a hard move?"

-Kinda-, Riolu said a little nervously. -You need a strong connection to aura. My parents said they couldn't do it until they where Lucario's. Our aura connection increase a bunch when we evolve. I think I can do it though!-

"I was always told if you put your mind to something, you can always do it." Echo said encouragingly. She had a quick thought. "Oh! I wanted to explain something really quick. Remember when you talked to me in the Pokecenter?"

Riolu gave a nod and wore a confused look.

"I think people would be a little freaked out if they found out we could talk to each other. I don't think it's considered normal for others. It's still a pretty weird with me." Echo explained. "So when other people are around I won't always be able to talk back. I won't ignore you but I just can't always acknowledge you."

Riolu looked even more puzzled.

"Do you understand?", Echo asked, worried she wasn't getting her point across.

-I think I get it.- Riolu started, -But you don't always have to talk like people.-

"What?" Now Echo was the confused one.

Riolu explained, -You can just talk through aura. No one else can here us then.-

"I can do that?" Echo asked with astonishment.

-I think so. I don't know for sure. If you can feel aura you should be able to talk through it.-, Riolu answered thoughtfully.

"That would be incredibly cool!", Echo exclaimed. "And incredibly convenient. How do I do it?"

-Uhm. . . I've been able to do it since I was born. I don't really know how to explain. I'm sorry.-, Riolu apologize.

"Oh well. We'll just have to figure it out together.", Echo told Riolu. She smiled widely at him. She was completely amazed at the gift he had given her. Riolu was smiling back at her. He must be looking forward to this adventure as well. Echo stood so she could look over the bush really quickly. She wanted to make sure the coast was still clear. She sat down with some relief. It was all quiet. "Still no sign of Team Galactic. We'll wait a little long before heading down the path. Wanna see if I can talk with you?"

-It's worth a try. I think you should try to work with your aura. It probably has something to do with that.-, Riolu theorized. Echo nodded and closed her eyes. She focused harder on Riolu's aura, then on her own. She tried to move it and bend it. Nothing. She tried to think of a connection between them. Also nothing. Echo tried multiple other ideas all coming up with blanks. This was gonna be hard. It was very strange only focusing on aura. Echo's other senses seem to be dulled when she focused completely on aura.

"Did you hear anything?" Echo asked, just to be sure. Riolu shook his head. He still didn't hear her. Echo went back to playing with her aura. It was kinda fun. Although Echo struggled to find the answer to the problem she was feeling much more comfortable with aura. Her peace was interrupted by Riolu.

-I heard something!- Riolu exclaimed, quickly standing from where he was sitting.

"Really!" Echo exclaimed in excitement. Riolu cut her off.

-Be quiet!- Riolu commanded nervously as he looked around the bushes. -Something is out there.-

Echo got to her feet in a hurry. She started to look around to see if there was anything that could have made the sound. She heard the trees overhead russell every once in a while. She could hear dirt being moved. Riolu was right.

"We need to go", Echo whispered carefully as she threw her backpack back on. Echo peeked through the bush to see if anyone was in the path. She looked left to see nothing. Before she could look right something grabbed her with astonishing strength.

"Gotcha!" Exclaimed a deep masculine voice from behind her. Echo released a gasp of surprise as the man scared her. The man was putting a lot of pressure on her shoulder which stung awfully.

"Ahhh!" Echo shouted in pain. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't think of a way out.

"Hu-" The man let out a hard breath as he released Echo from his firm grip. Echo dropped to the floor on her knees as she held her shoulder. Still wincing in pain she got to her feet and was now behind Riolu who looked ready to fight. They were now in the middle of the path. The man on one side and Riolu and her on the other. As the man stood up, Echo realized Riolu had attacked him, allowing her to escape. Once the man stood, two Pokémon showed up around him. One was a cat with a curly tail. A Glameow. The other was common on Iron Islands. It was a Zubat.

"Damn" Echo muttered. This was really bad.

-Should we run?- Riolu asked seriously. He sounded so responsible and courageous unlike Echo who was shaking at the knees.

"We can't. That Zubat is faster than any of us. We would never get away." Echo explained. There was only one way out of this pickle. "We need to fight"

Riolu's aura felt calmer as his stance became less stiff. He was being calmed at the thought of battle. Echo was freaking out. The complete opposite of her companion.

-it's ok- Riolu said without turning around. -We can handle this-

"Ya. . . Time to strap on the man pants" Echo said with a smidge of humor. That was something she said when doing something stupid. She took a deep breath.

"Damn that stupid Pokémon. I had her." The Galactic grunt grumbled, rubbing his side. "Alright girl. Come with me so I don't have to hurt you too much"

Echo remained silent. She didn't want to talk to this guy. He was right. He had had her. It made her nervous. Riolu stepped back to he, his eyes never leaving the man.

-Can you hold this please?- Riolu asked as he held his paw up to Echo. His Aura Stone. She took it and stored it away in her pant pocket. It was probably his most important possession and Echo intended on keeping it safe. Riolu stepped forward and lowered himself in his battle stance.

"No?" The man asked. He was completely relaxed. No worries at all. "Fine. Glameow, use Fury Swipes!"

Glameow was quick. It moved easily to Riolu's right side. Raising its claws.

"Riolu, dodge backward!" Riolu rolled back quickly, avoiding the attack. Echo saw an opening. The Glameow was getting down onto its paws as it recovered from the attack. "Quick Attack into a Force Palm!"

The next thing Echo saw was Riolu directly in front of the enemy Glameow. His open palm was glowing in a blue flame. Aura. He thrust it at the enemy who was sent flying backwards after contact.

"Wha-?" The Team Galactic member stuttered in surprise. "Get up Glameow!"

As the dust settled where the Glameow fell, it became clear the Pokémon was not getting up anytime soon. It took a hard hit. It was super effective Echo remembered.

Cursing, the man returned Glameow to its pokeball. "Your turn Zubat!"

The man looked much more into the battle now. He was rigid and ready to move. Completely focused. The Zubat moved in front of him as Riolu took his battle stance once again.

"Good job Riolu!" Echo called. This next one was gonna be much harder. Zubat had the type advantage and was faster. Echo had seen tons of them in the mines. "This one is gonna be harder!"

The information seemed to encourage Riolu. His aura burned with passion and resolve. This was the feeling of battle. Echo found it thrilling. She was ready to go.

"Riolu, Quick Attack into Force Palm!"

Once again Riolu got right in close to his opponent, blue palm burning with aura. As he attempted to attack the Zubat, it dodge away faster than Riolu could keep up with. Riolu stopped his attack and went back to his ready stance.

"Zubat, use Supersonic!"

A loud, high pitched screech echoed through the area. Riolu became unbalanced. Just standing seemed to be a challenge. As he stumbled around, the Galactic Grunt continued the battle.

"Wing Attack, go!"

"Riolu dodge it!"

Riolu tried to dodge to quickly due to his confusion. The Zubat had time to adjust and hit Riolu on the side, sending him flying into a tree trunk. Riolu stood up with a small wince. He shook himself off and was ready to go again. He had snapped out of confusion. The Zubat came in for another Wing Attack which Riolu easily dodged.

-He's so fast!- Riolu exclaimed. Echo was deep in thought. The Zubat was too fast. Riolu would have an extremely hard time hitting it with any of his moves.

"Zubat! Supersonic into Poison Sting!"

"Get behind a tree!" Echo shouted. Supersonic was a sound based move. If you can block the direct sound wave, it wouldn't set in. At least, Echo thought so. The Zubat supersonic went off as Riolu his behind a tree. It stopped when it noticed Riolu wasn't in sight.

"Are you ok Riolu?" Echo shouted hoping for the best.

-I'm fine!- Riolu said as he appeared from behind the tree. The Zubat released a barrage of Poison Stings towards Riolu who dodged behind another tree.

"Stick to the trees" Echo shouted as a plan formed in her mind. "We can beat his speed in there!"

Although Echo couldn't see him anymore she could feel where his aura was. She could also hear him without his position being given away. The Team Galactic Zubat had totally lost Riolu. As Riolu moved to a new position, the Zubat and Galactic Grunt looked cautiously around for the small blue Pokémon. The Zubat turned its back to Riolu as it searched a different area of the forest.

"Quick Attack now!"

"Counter with Supersonic!"

Riolu hit the Zubat hard. The force of the blow was enough to stop the Zubat from getting the supersonic off.

"Now Force Palm!" Echo commanded, push their momentary advantage. Riolu hit the Zubat with his blazing blue palm and it shot back a few feet. The Zubat got up with some effort. It was definitely hurting. Echo could feel how tired Riolu was though. He had fought two different Pokémon.

"Zubat create some distance with Poison Sting!" the Galactic Grunt yelled. As commanded, another barrage of Poison Stings flew at Riolu. He dodge a few but it was obvious he wouldn't be able to dodge them all.

"Back to the trees!" Echo yelled as Riolu took a hit. It wasn't very powerful but it was enough to stagger him. The momentary wince allowed the Zubat to aim better and as Riolu retreated into the trees he took a couple more attacks.

"Oh no." Echo muttered. Riolu was very hurt. He took a lot of damage from those attacks. The worst of it was the weird aura Echo senses from him. Poison. The longer this dragged on, the worse it was for Riolu.

"Damn it let's s get this over with!" The Team Galactic Grunt has lost his patience. As Echo stared at him and his Zubat from across the path, he smiled cruelly. "Zubat, use Wing Attack on the girl."

"What!" Echo shouted as the Zubat flew towards her at great speed. Echo was stunned by the disgusting tactic. As she went to move there was a flash of blue as Riolu shot towards the Zubat from the side on an intercepting course. As Riolu hit the Zubat, who was to focused on echo to dodge Riolu, Echo saw the Force Palm Riolu had charged for the attack. He used so much power the Zubat was sent into a tree to Echo's left. Knocked out.

"Damn it!" The Galactic Grunt said as he returned the Zubat. "I gotta go tell the boss. Damn damn damn!"

He turned and ran toward Canalave City. As the man retreated Echo realized she had just won her first ever Pokémon battle.

"Nice!"