A longer chapter, Stephanie is finally introduced to the gang as more things start to unfold :3
Enjoy~
*"bars" will be separating different scenes.
Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon and its characters, it all belongs to its respected owners. The only characters I own are Stephanie and others that will appear in the story.
The Heroes Unite
As Ash, Misty, and Brock ate their lunch the sounds of the forest filling the area. No one talked much as Azurill bounced happily and Pikachu played with the water mouse pokemon. Azurill walked towards the backpacks were they rested on the base of the tree and stopped, Pikachu went to it as it looked into the forest. It reached up to get a good look inside the forest as it perked its ears up to listen more closely.
That's when it saw something dash behind a tree in the distance.
"Pika, pi!" Pikachu said as it turned around.
This made the three look at the two pokemon as Pikachu pointed into the forest. Ash got up and walked up to where Pikachu was standing, when he got the spot Pikachu climbed onto Ash's shoulder and looked as well.
"You heard something Pikachu?" He asked as he looked out. But as he could see there was nothing in site.
He shrugged his shoulders and went back to join Brock and Misty again.
Stephanie stood stiff behind the tree as she tried her hardest not make a sound. She dashed behind the tree just in time as she heard the boy trainer ask his pokemon is he heard anything.
She let out a sigh of relief as she slid down to the ground and sat on the base of the tree. She crossed her legs as Squirtle stood in front of her; she scratched her head as she thought of someway to introduce herself to the group.
It had been a while since she saw Misty and she was excited to see her again after so long, but of course she wanted to make a good entrance. She crossed her arms and lowered her head as she thought of what to do.
But it was then Squirtle tapped her head, she looked up at the small turtle pokemon as it raised one arm up to pump its fist in the air.
"Squirtle, squirt!" It said with enthusiasm.
Stephanie's lips curled into a grin, as she hugged her Squirtle.
"You know me so well." She laughed softly.
She released her trusted pokemon and brought her backpack in front of her as she started to search for something. She took out small items that were in the way until she found a blue cap that matched her jacket, she smiled as she started to stuff her long brown hair inside the cap and adjusted it so that it covered her eyes slightly but just enough for her to see where she was going.
She nodded her head in approval as she started to pack her back again, it was then she took out her pokeball and enlarged it.
"I'll call you back out once everything is settled alright Squirtle." Stephanie explained.
Squirtle nodded its head as the red light engulfed Squirtle as it returned into its pokeball. She clipped the pokeball back on her belt as she got up from the ground. She moved the cap slightly to make sure that it wouldn't move as she looked out to see the three starting to finish.
Perfect timing she thought.
Misty gathering any dirty plates as Brock went to a small stream that lead to the lake and started to wash the dishes. Ash gathered some more firewood and placed it near the site as he started to make camp.
Pikachu was at Ash's side as it watched the trainers get ready for the night. The sun was still bright in the sky but there were also hints of the night to come as it started to move closer to the mountaintops.
As Misty whipped her damp hands on her yellow shorts she walked to grab her backpack and start laying out her sleeping bag. It was then she heard a rustle in the bushes behind her Pikachu perked its ears up as well, as a girl walked out.
Misty could tell that the girl was her age but couldn't see her face well because of the blue cap that was angled on her head.
Misty hung her bag over her shoulder as she asked, "Can we help you with something?"
The girl shrugged her shoulders, "I think you can, I was just passing on though the area looking for a formidable opponent seeing that I've beaten everyone in the area." She sighed, "You think you can help me with that?"
Misty was about to answer the girls' sudden challenge but was interrupted by Ash as he jumped in.
"I can battle you if you say your that good." Ash said.
Misty rolled her eyes from the sudden interruption but let it pass knowing that he wouldn't back down on a challenge.
The girl smirked with delight, "You seem confident, you think you can break my winning streak?"
Ash nodded his head with confidence, "You beat I can."
"Alright then," She said as she whipped out a pokeball from her belt sending her jacket to wave with the sudden wind she produced, she held out her arm straight out from beside her as she enlarged the pokeball, "One and one battle, no time limit, anything goes?" She stated yet questioned at the same time.
Ash jumped back to make enough room for the battle as he agreed.
"Sounds good to me."
She threw the pokeball side armed as she called out, "Go Jolteon!"
The lighting pokemon sparked as it came out from its pokeball, its yellow coat shined with the sun as it crouched down ready to battle.
"A Jolteon huh, ok let's fight this electric with electric, go Pikachu!" Ash said.
Pikachu dashed out to the field and stood on all four as sparks flew from its red cheeks. Both pokemon stood their ground awaiting their masters' commands.
"Interesting choice, but that doesn't mean Pikachu wouldn't be in a disadvantage." She said.
"We'll see about that." Ash smirked.
Brock had heard the conversation between the sudden trainer as he finally came back to the camp holding the now clean plates, he stood next to Misty as they both looked on at the starting battle.
"Even out here he manages to find a challenger." He said.
Misty smiled slightly, "Well it was her that wanted to start a battle. She said she had a winning streak, so it's going to be interesting."
Ash couldn't see the girls eyes but he knew she was waiting to strike, so he took it upon himself to call out the first attack.
"Pikachu start with a quick attack!" He called out.
Pikachu jumped and ran at full speed towards the awaiting Jolteon. Jolteon stood its ground hanging its head low as the girl made a command under her breath.
"Jolteon agility."
Just before Pikachu could reach its target Jolteon disappeared in a blur leaving Pikachu dumbfounded. Pikachu skid to a stop but before it could look back it was hit directly from behind sending Pikachu tumbling to the ground.
"C'mon Pikachu get up!" Ash encouraged.
Pikachu stood on all fours again as it shook off the attack and waited for a command. Since she was using speed Ash wanted to give her a taste of Pikachu's swiftness.
"Pikachu use your agility!" He said.
Pikachu dashed in a zigzag around Jolteon as it stood looking from side to side to where Pikachu was coming from. But as fast as Pikachu was moving Jolteon did not loose focus and stood completely calm.
"Use double team!" The girl said.
As Pikachu was making its approach Jolteon kicked off the ground and started to run in circles around Pikachu making the illusion of double team.
"Wow look at that speed." Misty said.
"I've never seen a Jolteon move that fast before." Brock added.
Pikachu stopped and tried to look for the real Jolteon as it ran around it, but the blur of Jolteon running around in circles started to make Pikachu dizzy, Ash saw this and quickly called out to Pikachu.
"Pikachu stand still and sense Jolteon!"
Pikachu stopped looking around and closed its eyes as its ears twitched slightly as it tried to track the fast moving Jolteon. The Jolteon was still moving in an incredible pace but in a split second Pikachu felt Jolteon's presence, it shot open its eyes and tackled Jolteon breaking the double team.
Jolteon fell to the ground as the girl frowned.
"C'mon it didn't hit you that hard." She said strictly.
Jolteon agreed with its master as it got back up and shook off the attack and stood ready once again. She was waiting for the right moment to use her other attack she had in store for his Pikachu but she was starting to get impatient waiting for it.
"Let's try to finish this off with a volt-tackle Pikachu!" Ash called out.
Pikachu engulfed itself with electricity and ran as fast as it could towards Jolteon, but this was the moment she waited for.
"About time," She commented low to herself, "Now Jolteon absorb that attack."
"What?" Ash said in shock.
Ash wanted to pull back on the attack to stop what ever the girl was planning but it was too late. Pikachu hit Jolteon directly with the volt-tackle sending Jolteon back with force. Jolteon dug its paws into the ground as it absorbed the electricity from Pikachu. Jolteon felt the power of the attack and started to show some signs of weakness as it was pushed back more.
"Don't give in Jolteon you can do it!" The girl called out.
Jolteon took in as much as it could and then pushed back Pikachu enough to finish the attack. Jolteon's fur stood up sharp as it sparked with the sudden increase in electricity. Pikachu jumped back from Jolteon as it started to breath heavily from the volt-tackle.
"Now use thunder!" The girl shouted.
Jolteon's claws dug into the ground as it cried out launching a beam of lighting into the sky. This produced a dark cloud above the battlefield as Pikachu and Ash stood motionless not knowing what to do.
Suddenly without warning a large lighting bolt shot down from the dark clouds hitting Pikachu directly. Pikachu cried out in pain as it took the powerful electric attack and then collapsed to the ground.
"Pikachu!" Ash cried out.
"That was amazing." Misty managed to say.
"Using Pikachu's volt-tackle to take in enough electricity for an intense attack like thunder was a good strategy move." Brock commented as he looked on.
Pikachu was still paralyzed on the ground and moving slowly to get back up as Ash tried to encourage it to get back on its feet.
"Pikachu you can get up, c'mon!"
Pikachu managed to get back on its feet but wobbled to the side as it was on its last bit of energy. The powerful attack made a small cloud of smoke but as it started to fade Ash saw that Jolteon was gone.
"What? Where's Jolteon?"
"I'm surprised you don't know Jolteon's ability, seeing that you are an experienced trainer."
"Knock it off, where's Jolteon!" Ash answered back.
"Temper," She smirked, "You should know that Jolteon are able to use dig." She stated calmly again.
"Ash that's a ground type attack, it has a more affect on Pikachu!" Brock called out.
"Oh great, Pikachu can't battle anymore it's too weak." Ash whispered.
"Now Jolteon!" She yelled.
The ground rumbled as Jolteon came in for the attack, but before Jolteon could come up from the ground a large red mechanical arm came from behind the trees.
"Pikachu!" Ash cried out.
"What's going on?" The girl said with annoyance.
The four then heard a string of laughs as a Meowth then came out from the bushes holding Pikachu in a small cage.
"Ha! Tanks fo' weaking our Pikachu kid!" Meowth said.
"Meowth!" Ash growled.
The girl pointed as she blinked in confusion, "It talks?"
Jessie and James came out from behind to reveal themselves as Jessie placed her hands on her hips.
"Prepare for trouble I like to said." She said.
"Make it double is always the way." James added.
"We're cuttin it short dis time." Meowth jumped in.
"What do you think your doing stealing his Pikachu like that!" The girl yelled.
"Like we always do." Jessie said with a wave of her hand.
"And now for our routine get away." James said after.
The three jumped back behind the bushes in which they came, but then soon after a Meowth shaped hot air balloon started to rise into the sky.
"You're not going anywhere!" Ash warned but was cut off as Meowth held a large remote.
"Now for our biggest fans." Meowth said as it pushed the large red button.
Two massive fans came out from the sides of the basket propelling Team Rocket away from the group.
Ash growled in frustration as he reached for a pokeball.
"Wait!" The girl said suddenly as she held her arm out, she lifted her head up to show some of her eyes, "Let me handle this."
She took out another pokeball and whispered to it before she threw it up into the air, but before the three could see the pokemon that came out it already dashed into the sky.
"I told ya dis plan would work." Meowth laughed as it looked down at Pikachu.
Pikachu used the little bits of strength left to try and escape from the cage but it was useless, as it slouched down in defeat.
"Don't waste the last of your energy, you know that we get the best electric proof gadgets." James said.
Suddenly Wobbuffet popped out from its pokeball to make its sudden statement as it cried, "Wobbuffet!"
Then as Team Rocket thought they were in the clear something flew pass their balloon, before they could see what it was a powerful whirlwind attack was used, it broke the fans and sent Team Rocket back to where they came. They screamed out as they crashed to the ground near the campsite.
"I told ya I'd bring them back." The girl said as she placed her hands on her hips.
Pidgeot floated near its trainer as they saw the broken basket start to move.
Jessie crawled out from the now broken basket and frowned with anger. "That new brat is getting on my nerves, go Seviper!"
James just managed to get his arm out from the rubble as he threw his pokeball, "Go Cacnea use pin missile!"
Cacnea launched a string of pin missiles towards Pidgeot along with the rest of the group but the girl simple motioned her hand with out a care.
"Pidgeot dust those things away."
Pidgeot used one of its wings to send a gust that disrupted the pin missiles sending them back towards Team Rocket.
They tried to dodge the attack as Jessie summoned a command, "Seviper use poison tai!"
Seviper charged at Pidgeot as it stood low to the ground, but once Seviper was close to attack it flew up just a couple of inches making Seviper miss the attack completely.
The girl held her head, "This is pathetic, if you're pokemon thieves I feel bad for the people you work for."
"Who are you calling pathetic!" Jessie snapped back.
"Uh, you." She mocked.
She looked back to Ash as she told him, "Ash use one of your pokemon to get Pikachu." She then turned to Misty and Brock, "Do you guys have a pokemon that knows hyper beam?"
Misty nodded her head as she grabbed a pokeball from her pocket. "I do."
Ash had called out Swellow from its pokeball as it used a quick attack to dive down and grab Pikachu from right under Team Rocket.
"Great," She said as she turned her head, "You ready Misty?"
Misty was taken back for only a moment as she thought to herself, how does she know my name? She brushed the comment to the side and focused on the battle in front of them. She called out her Gyarados as it roared out from its pokeball.
"Pidgeot!"
"Gyarados!"
"Double hyper beam!" They both said in unison.
Pidgeot and Gyarados launched a powerful hyper beam attack that twist to combine as a single beam to cause greater damage, the ground shook with the intensity of the attack and created a powerful gust that tossed the hat off the girls head without her realizing.
Team Rocket flew up into the air as Jessie complained, "I can't believe it after we were so close!"
"If you that close I can name hundreds of other times that we were inches away." Meowth said.
"I can recall centimeters away." James sighed as he added as well.
Wobbuffet popped out from its pokeball again and cried out, "Wobba, Wobba!"
"Looks like we're blasting off too soon!" They cried out as they disappeared into the sky as faint call of a "Wobbuffet!" was heard fading away as well.
The four covered their mouths as they waved their hands from the smoke created by the explosion. As the smoke faded Ash got Pikachu out from the small cage as it jumped out and into Ash's arms.
"Pikachu I'm glad you're safe." Ash said as he hugged his trusted pokemon.
Once the smoke was clear the three looked up at the girl to see that her hat was gone as her long brown hair extended down her back in a high ponytail. The girl blinked in confusion as the three stared at her as she reached up to her head to feel that the hat was gone. She looked around in a panic but then stopped as she figured her identity was already blown.
She smiled slightly at the three, "Looks like I'm caught."
Ash stood up from the ground and was about to say something but Misty walked out from behind and stood in shock as she stared at the girl.
Ash saw this and asked, "Misty you ok?"
Misty whispered softly, "I can't believe it."
The girl smiled as she nodded her head at Misty, she knew that Misty was in shock to see her as she did when she saw her from the forest.
Suddenly the two girls squealed in delight calling each others names and hugged, the sudden out burst left Ash and Brock confused in the background. The girls jumped up and down as they hugged each other again and laughed.
"Do you have any idea as to what just happened?" Brock asked.
"No," Ash said as he rubbed his head.
"I can't believe it Stephanie, it's been so long." Misty said.
"I know, I saw you as I was walking through the forest and I couldn't believe that it was really you." Stephanie added.
"Oh Ash and Brock," Misty called as she waved the two over, "This is my best friend Stephanie, we grew up in Cerulean city together before we left for our pokemon journeys."
"Nice to meet ya." Stephanie waved with a smile.
"Stephanie you want to stay with us tonight if you don't have to go anywhere?" Misty asked.
"Sure if it's ok with you guys."
"Of course." Brock said.
"Great then." Stephanie smiled.
The sun finally began to set behind the mountains as the sky started to turn pastel mixing with the navy of night and the orange and pink of the sunset. Stephanie had unpacked her sleeping bag and tossed some more firewood into the growing flame as she sat on the ground leaning her back on the log.
"So Stephanie, how did you get your pokemon so strong?" Ash asked.
Stephanie stretched her arms and answered, "It wasn't easy that's for sure, that goes for any training, but all I did was travel and train constantly with my main pokemon. I rotate and make sure that I give an equal amount of training as my other pokemon to make sure we have the same bond and they have the same experience level." She explained.
"That's cool." Ash said,
"Your pokemon also look very well breed." Brock added.
Stephanie nodded her head as she crossed her legs, "I make sure that all my pokemon are in their top when it comes to their breeding. When I was here in the Hoenn region a while back I entered pokemon contests and winded up winning the ribbon cup." She smiled modestly.
"You manage to win the ribbon cup?" Misty said.
"Yeah, of course with my best contest pokemon Vileplume and Foxy."
Misty clapped her hands together, "Oh can I see Foxy its been so long."
Stephanie laughed, "Of course."
She took one of the pokeball's from her belt and held it in her hand to allow the bottom half to open as a shining light came out, the fox pokemon sat in front of the group as the light dimmed softly. Its coat was shining like the sun as a small blaze fell around it allow it to make a sparkling effect. The Ninetails bowed its head as the three looked in amazement.
"Whoa…" Ash managed to say.
"Foxy? Stephanie she's gorgeous." Misty said in awe.
"Thanks." Stephanie smiled.
Foxy then looked at Misty as its ears perked up to form perfect triangles, it then got up and walked to Misty as it rubbed its head on hers as it purred in delight. Misty pet Foxy as she smiled.
"Aww she still remembers me." Misty said.
"Of course she does." Stephanie giggled.
Stephanie watched as Foxy played with Misty, she was glad that things were going well with her good friend. But something was still going through her mind, the reaction of the stone when Misty suddenly came into view. She had to find out what it meant, and spending time with Misty and her friends was the best way to find out, but how she was going to approach them was the question.
It was a beautiful clear night as the white light of the half moon shined on the large lake as stars were stretched out to as far as the eyes can see. The fire was now strong as the orange glow made it easier for Stephanie to see as she polished her pokeball's, Brock sat across from her as he organized his backpack.
Stephanie held up one of the pokeball's to the fire to then wipe it again with the small cloth, but it was then she wondered.
"Hey Brock, where's Ash and Misty?"
"Good question." Brock said. "Hey Pikachu do you know where Ash is?"
Pikachu just pointed out towards the lake as the two saw Ash and Misty laying on the grass looking up at the stars.
"Aw look at the cute couple." Stephanie said with a small laugh.
"You know they don't want to admit it, but I think that they have something for each other." Brock said.
"Oh really?" Stephanie smirked as she looked on.
Ash placed his arms behind his head as Misty had her hands crossed on her stomach as the two looked up into the sea of stars. They took a small pause before Misty pointed up to the sky.
"Hey look at that, it looks like a Azurill, see the round tail?" Misty giggled.
"Yeah." Ash said, "Look at that, it looks like a Charizard and Blastoise going at in a battle." He pointed out as well.
"You always find the weirdest things." Misty laughed as she rolled her eyes.
"Well you started it." Ash said playfully.
"I've never done this before…it's nice." Misty said softly.
"I used to do this all the time back in Pallet, it was kinda boring doing it alone though."
The silence was back again and Misty took this time to think. I'm getting this feeling again, why is it coming back? She thought it her mind. It had been so long since she felt this way, but was it because of the reunion after a long separation? She didn't want these feelings to interfere with anything, but they have been kept inside for so long…
She sighed softly as she closed her eyes for a brief moment, it was then Ash glanced her way with her realizing. He was also thinking about his sudden feelings, now that I'm around her again I almost feel relaxed and more happy, he thought. He heard many times that he was immature and when it came to feelings of others he never fully understood them, but for a moment he did feel something.
Misty sat up from the grass snapping Ash out of his thought as he did the same. He leaned on his arms as Misty passed her hand through her hair.
"I'm gonna head back to camp, its getting late and I'm a bit tired."
"Alright." Ash said.
Misty pushed herself off the ground and walked back to camp to join Stephanie and Brock. Ash watched her as she walked and thought to himself again, maybe it was something he did need to tell her, but when?
Back at camp Stephanie had just gotten up as Misty opened her sleeping bag to go to sleep. Ash got back to camp and was talking to Brock as Misty untied her ponytail to allow her hair to fall just passed her shoulders.
It was then Stephanie scooted towards her in her sleeping bag, "So – what's this little thing that's going on?" she asked with a grin.
Misty passed her hand through her hair as she arched an eyebrow, "What are you up to?" She asked. She knew when Stephanie was talking like that she had something up her sleeve.
"Don't play Misty, the both of you make it so obvious." Stephanie said as she crossed her arms.
"Stephanie what are you talking about?" Misty finally asked.
She leaned over to Misty and whispered, "C'mon you and Ash."
"What about me and Ash?"
Stephanie's grin grew wide as she laughed, "…you like him don't ya?"
Misty felt her face heat up as she tried to look the other way, "No…not really."
Stephanie gasped as she spoke up, "So you do-" but before she could finish Misty had covered her mouth and glared at her in annoyance.
"Do you always have to be so loud?" Misty said.
Stephanie mumbled something while Misty kept her hand over her mouth, Misty shook her head softly as she released her. Stephanie then got excited as she sat on her knees and faced her.
"I knew there was something! So you told him yet?" She asked in a whisper.
"No – wait I mean why should I, it's not like that." Misty grumbled.
Stephanie narrowed her eyes as she answered, "…uh huh, sure."
Misty frowned as she laid down and brought the cover over her head, "Just forget it," She then peeked her eyes from under the cover, "Maybe one day…"
Stephanie laid down and as placed her arms behind her head, "Ok, just remember if you need any help I'm here for now."
She heard Stephanie get comfortable in her sleeping bag and smiled to herself, she was still the same always wanting to help her friend in tough situations. But even if she didn't want to forget her feelings even for that moment it was now going through her mind.
Misty sighed mentally, even if I pull enough courage who knows what the outcome can be, she thought.
She turned to her side as she closed her eyes again to get some needed sleep. The nocturnal sounds of the forest acted as a lullaby as the soft ripples of the lake made Misty doze into her sleep…
To be continued…
Next time on "Saving Hoenn Legend of the Pokeforce"
Misty looked up at a massive fountain that was carved in marble, the statues of the water pokemon were positioned gracefully as water stringed out and rippled into the water below.
"This place is beautiful, but where am I?" She asked.
"I see you have awakened." A young woman's voice answered.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Shitenshi, I am a shinobi and protector of the village at the foot of mount chimney." Shitenshi explained as she placed her hand on her chest, "And a honorable assistant to the royal family."
"What is this place? Please tell me!" Misty pleaded.
"You are in ancient Hoenn." Shitenshi stated.
Suddenly Shitenshi help Misty onto a gold armored Rapidash. Misty looked back as Shitenshi stood behind.
"Shitenshi what about you?"
"Do not worry about me, you have to be safe from him." Shitenshi answered.
A mans voice rippled from behind her sending a dark chill down her spine.
"I finally found you." He said.
"Next time on Saving Hoenn, "Misty's dream" I really hope I am dreaming…" Misty said.
Chapter 3 end
Much longer then the past chapter, this chapter didn't really answer any questions story wise but I promise its going to get better its going to get a lot more interesting next time :)
Until then, please review!