Samurai's hut was rather large for someone to live alone in. It had a small living room, a main bedroom, a guest room, and a kitchen tucked away in the corner. A fire was lit in the living room, which brought warmth and light through out the cabin.
Ash and Smaug welcomed the warmth instantly, fall was settling in and Ash was never good with cold weather. He, like, dragon-type pokemon grew much weaker and in the cold and weakness is something he couldn't afford to show. Ash would have to make sure to get a cloak later at a store for the winter. A stylish one too.
"Do any of you know how to cook? I would myself but, I'm not that good." Samurai said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his helmet.
"I'll cook." replied Julia putting down her bag. Samurai nodded his head appreciatively, before heading out the door, Pinsir's ball in hand.
Eevee and Shinx were currently butting heads against each other growling. The two annoyed each other to no ends and it was driving the group insane. Surprisingly, Smaug the battle loving dragon, was the one to break the two up. But on several occasions when the argument went to far, Eevee and Shinx would fight. Eevee would use her Confusion attack, while Shinx would use his natural born lighting attacks. But despite their powerful attacks Smaug manged to subdue the two before any major damage could ensue.
Adam was currently passed out on the couch, snoring loudly, his bag sprawled on the floor. His snores heard throughout the entire cabin. Training Ekans and Spearow had taken a lot out of him. Currently he was trying to teach Ekans and Shinx Iron Tail, and Spearow was mastering Steel Wing. Brock's Gym was just a stepping stone into the world of Rock-Pokemon. Most of them were highly territorial and having your pokemon with Water or Steel type attacks could be a life saver.
While Julia cooked and Samurai was discarding his armor, Ash was sitting by the fire, Smaug and Seadra released and exploring the small cabin. Ash was currently looking at his poke-dex's archives. Each page of data contained the move set of his two dragon's or possible ones. It was pretty exciting to see all the power they had at their disposal. While Ash scrolled through the pages of data, a light bulb went of in his head. He had forgotten to give Seadra a name!
"Hey Seadra! Do you want a name?" Ash called out to his water dragon. "Charmander already has one."
Seadra floated in the air for a moment before he nodded and and grew an excited expression. Ash had to think for a moment. He did want cliche any names like Neptune or Tsunami. Seadras and Kingdras were notorious for their mastery of bending water to their will, their favorite being a twister or a... "Maelstrom".
Seadra nodded his head, accepting the name before bestowing his usual calm expression. Mael began to float around before residing in a large bucket of water, courtesy of Samurai, and began to fall asleep.
Ash couldn't help but fell pride well up in him when he realized he had got the first member of his team, and a powerful one at that. He had taken his first step to be a Dragon Master. But Ash knew it would be a long and treacherous one at that, but in the end it would pay off.
Just the thought as being as famous as Professor Oak, brought shivers to him. The Professor was a legendary figure in the scientific and trainer world. His inventions were world renowned and any trainer, young or old, knew about his pokemon's strength and his brilliant strategies.
His team, which contained an Arcanine, Venusaur, Golem, Dragonite, Charizard, Raichu, and finally his strongest and most elusive, Celebi. He almost conquered the Elite Four before he gave up the path of a trainer for knowledge.
The mere thought that his mentor possessed a legendary increased Ash's respect for the eldest Oak by tenfold. He only laid eyes on it during the Professor's birthday, other special occasion or if anyone was stupid enough to challenge him.
The last time someone did, Celebi absolutely crushed his team of pokemon. The guy's Arcanine couldn't even catch up to Celebi's speed, his Blastoise's was planted firmly into the ground, and his Manetric was stuck in a water bubble. The defeat brought awe to all of Pallet, but it was to be expected. He was dubbed "Pallet's Protector" for a reason. Notorious, evil organizations like Team Rocket stood clear away from Pallet or the surrounding area for a reason. The Professor's weakest pokemon could take down an entire squad of Rockets before showing any signs of tiring.
Ash made a mental note to challenge him when he collected all of his gym badges. Even though he would probably lose, it would be good practice for the Indigo League, which would be undoubtedly filled with experienced trainers all who would be carrying teams of pokemon that could literally tear apart his current team.
Ash shut off his poke-dex and began to get comfortable, shrouded by the warmth of the fire drowsiness began to settle on his tired body. Soon Ash succumbed to the dream world.
Ash eyebrows twitched open when something very sharp poked his cheek. Smaug was by his side, his claw poking Ash's cheek repeatedly. Ash waved his starter's pointy claws away, before getting up and wiping away the sleep in his eyes. He quickly picked up his helmet and put it on before a wondrous chorus of smells assailed his nose.
The smell of food lured Ash's eye to the table to see Julia setting down the final platter of dinner. A big bowl of steaming stew laid in the center of the table surrounded by plates of vegetables and rice. The table was set with four plates each with a pair of utensils.
"Glad you're up, could you wake up Adam? Samurai went outside to make sure Pinsir was alright. He should be back in a while." she said while removing her oven mitts. Ash came
Ash nodded before turning to Adam. Ash swiftly tapped his sword on his head before Adam jumped up spear in hand, his face looking around looking for any potential dangers
"Relax, dinner's ready." Ash said while holstering his sword back to his belt. Adam nodded, and sheathed his spear. The two were about to make their way to the table when the door suddenly burst open.
Pinsir was standing at the door, followed by a bloodied Samurai. He had cuts all over his body and his katana was drawn and covered in blood. Samurai fell onto the floor unconscious, Pinsir instantly captured his trainer and placed on the couch, worry evident on its face.
"What happened!" yelled Adam spear ready in hand. Shinx, Ekans, and Spearow were by his side, but they all looked tense. It was different when they were in the battle, they actually looked frightened. What ever attacked Samurai it wasn't a pokemon.
Julia quickly began treating his wounds before releasing Weedle and Caterpie. Both perched themselves on the window sill, looking out into the dark forest.
Ash and Adam exited the cabin, wielding their weapons, followed by their pokemon into the darkness. Smaug blew a small stream of fire to erect a wall around them, the light from it illuminating the surrounding area. The outlines of four legged creatures could be seen backing away from the fires.
Once the fire began dying down the figures began shuffled against the fire, ever slowly crawling towards them. While the small wall of fire burned, a foul smell made its way to them. To say the least it wasn't pleasant at all. It made Ash hold his nose due the mere foulness of it.
Finally the creature by the fire were revealed to them. Four legged shambling corpses surrounded the fire, their bodies merely just skin and bones. Long black hair flowed from their heads, dirtied with blood and dirt and curled like bird's nest. Sharp claws, almost a foot long, decorated their feet, each one a dirty yellow and covered in dried blood. But worst of all were there fangs. Each one, rooted in place in their malformed mouths, so big they couldn't close their mouths. their eyes, black orbs, lifeless and full of hatred, like a malevolent spirit. Indescribable patterns ran down their bodies varying in colors.
A chorus of threatening chirps and calls rang out and they attacked. One creature chomped down on Ash's arm, it fangs slicing straight through flesh and bone. Ash swiftly thrust his sword through the creature's neck, ignoring the burning pain and flowing blood emitting from his arm. The creature screamed and wriggled wildly, gripping its bleeding neck before giving a quick shudder and died.
Adam was currently pinning one on the ground and stomping on it head, Shinx covering hims with electric attacks. Smaug and Mael were sending the creatures back with streams of fire and water. It seemed that the creatures, however, weren't focused on their pokemon (luckily) but on Adam and Ash.
Ash didn't know how long it had been, it was all a blur of fangs, claws, and steel. He and Adam, had cut down one by one, but they just kept coming. His body was burning in pain and his hands were slick with blood and he was pretty sure his armor was broken in a few places. His sword was scuffed up and dripping with the creatures' blood.
His calf was searing with pain and it hurt to move it. The arm that was bitten had become useless, it pained Ash to much to even move a finger. One of his eyes had been cut and blood flowed freely from it, effectively blinding him in that eye. His helmet was dented and splashed with blood.
Ash was pretty sure that he would bleed out soon, his remaining vision was getting blurrier and he was getting weaker. He slashed his blade against another creature, who shuddered and died before he noticed that the creatures were actually fleeing from the sight, disappearing into the dark forest. He sighed of relief before he frantically looked around for Adam and his pokemon.
Adam was leaning against a tree, surrounded by his pokemon bleeding heavily, blood running down his body, his spear broken in two. Despite a few large cuts he was fine. Smaug was laying on the floor his eye closed and the flame on his tail a bit smaller than usual. Mael was drifting around in a small pond, sleeping. The cabin was relatively safe, it had some scratch marks on it but it was standing.
Ash finally fell to his knees, dropping his sword by his side. He was exhausted, his vision was getting worst and it was getting hard to breath. Sweat fell from his face and onto the ground. Wait, not sweat. Blood.
He fell face first, his helmet bracing him from the hard floor. His vision was getting worse now, it was darker. A figure ran to his side and a voice sounded out. Julia's voice.
It seemed she had successfully closed up all of Samurai's wounds, but the look on her face read it wasn't the same.
"dOnt Worry ash i'll find heLp!" said Julia, his earring it seemed was faltering. Her voice was getting harder and easier Ash grunted in pain before his vision was encompassed with darkness. But before he fell into unconsciousness he saw her dart off into the forest.
Ash slowly opened his eyes and quickly closed them, due to the bright sunlight pouring through the window. After he adjusted to the light he noticed he was in a hospital room. Adam was by his side, in a normal hospital gown sleeping soundly. Shinx was on his chest sleeping away while Spearow was perched on the windowsill, its head under its wing.
Ash was about to move his body to get into a more comfortable, when he suddenly hissed in pain. His calf and arm erupted in agony at the mere movement of his bod, forcing him to move back into his original position.
After the pain died down Ash examined himself for his injuries. A large, healing gash was on his calf and it ran down to the bottom of his knee. His left arm was movable but he couldn't move his wrist without it hurting.
A table top on the side of his bed was a small mirror. He grabbed it and examined his eye. A large, healing cut ran above and over his eye lid. He could still see perfectly out of his eye thankfully but he knew that the cut would be a scar, with out a doubt. And finally three cuts that ran from his shoulder to his waist.
He groaned and sank back into the soft bed, itching for rest. His sword-hand felt extremely sore and it seemed he would be in the hospital for a while. Ash slowly closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
The past few days were a blur, mixed with sleeping, constant visits from Julia, she made it through the attack unscathed since she was closing up Samurai's wounds, and she was the one to bring help when she ran off. The creatures that were killed during the attack, disappeared, but bloody trails led away from the attack sight and led into the dark forest, which no one was willing to go after.
Professor Oak had called and visited once, to check on Ash. It took Ash almost an entire hour to convince the Professor to not burn down Viridian Forest, to search and destroy the creatures that had attacked them. His pokemon held the power to do so, especially Celebi, all they needed was the go sign.
Smaug and Mael were transported to the Pokemon Center in Pewter City, where they stayed about a day to regain all the lost energy that was used during the attack. Julia had them discharged the next day and had sent them to the rocky hills and terrains to train for the Pewter Gym. They were rich with Rock-type pokemon, fit to fight and to train with.
Finally Ash and Adam were released from the hospital, despite the Professor's and Julia's protest. Their pokemon were at the entrance of the hospital to greet them and show them how their training had paid off.
Well Lordofire here and back in action. Next Chapter coming up this weekend i hope. By the way should Ash catch a Lairon next or a Bagon.