Chapter 3: Young, Wild, and Free
"Alright Blaziken, show Tepig how to use Flamethrower one more time! Deerling, you try to dodge whatever attack Tepig and Blaziken use against you!" May instructed her Pokémon during a training session.
Blaziken was trying to teach Tepig, Flamethrower since May knows Flamethrower is a move that could come in handy when participating in contests. Blaziken released a stream of fire aiming for Deerling and Tepig followed its example.
Tepig leaped up and tried to use Flamethrower, "Tepig!" Unfortunately, all that came out was an ember-like fire. May and Blaziken sighed at the failed attempt, Tepig had already messed up Flamethrower numerous times and there seemed to be no progress.
Deerling dodged the Flamethrower and released an Energy Ball. "Blaziken, you know what to do," May spoke calmly.
Blaziken used a Fire Spin that encircled the Energy Ball. From there, the Fire Spin carried the Energy Ball away from Blaziken and swirled upward. Fire Spin contained the Energy Ball and the combination looked like a fiery tornado with a green Energy Ball that served as the eye of the tornado. The luminous light reflection of the Energy Ball mixed with the radiance given off by the fire caused green rays to emerge from the tornado's spirals.
Ash, Iris, Pikachu, Blaziken, Tepig, and Deerling stared at the combination with awe. It was a bright green light with fire revolving it until the brilliant tornado suddenly burst. Little shimmering sparkles showered down on the group and May took a bow.
"Good job guys," May approached her three Pokémon and petted them.
"Teeepig," Tepig looked down at the ground shamefully.
May gave the starter a caring smile, "Don't worry Tepig, you'll get it right eventually, I know it!" The encouragement put a smile on the pig and leaped into May's arms.
"May is a fantastic coordinator," Iris complimented May's abilities, still impressed by the demonstration.
"She's been doing this for as long as I can remember. She's a Top Coordinator, so that just shows you how talented May really is," Ash admired his girlfriend; May had become one of the finest coordinators Ash has ever met.
"She's so skilled, not to mention much more mature than you," Iris continued talking and then gave Ash a sly grin.
Ash glared at his companion, "Oh yeah, look who's talking!"
"I'm talking!" Iris got up and spat at him.
"Why did you even decide to come along with us if you're just going to argue? I don't remember offering you to join us!" Ash got up and yelled back at her.
Iris placed her hands on her hip and gave the boy an even dirtier look, "You should actually be thanking me because I know my way around Unova, if it weren't for me then you would have ended up lost!"
"Pika pika," Pikachu pulled on Ash's jeans in an attempt to stop him from arguing.
May sighed and walked over to the duo, "Come on guys, can't we all just get along? We were getting along so well."
"Pika pikachu," Pikachu begged his trainer to stop fighting as well.
Ash and Iris continued to glare at each other until a familiar sound was heard. When they heard "Oshaaawott," the entire group turned behind them and saw the water Pokémon smiling at them.
"Hey, it's the Oshawott that saved our Pokémon from Team Rocket," Iris pointed out.
The otter-like Pokémon grinned cheerfully, recalling their last encounter. May beamed a smile at it after realizing it, "It is!"
"Let's try to learn a bit more about it," Ash happily took out his Pokédex to learn a bit more about the Unova Pokémon.
"Oshawott, the Sea Otter Pokémon. Oshawott attacks and defends using the scalchop that can be removed from its stomach." Ash put away his Pokédex and grinned at the Water-type Pokémon.
"So, what brings you here Oshawott?" Ash asked the little thing with a friendly attitude.
"Osha oshawott oshaw," Oshawott moved his arms around while he attempted to explain himself.
"Pika pi, pikachu pika," Pikachu conversed with Oshawott from Ash's shoulder.
Ash lowered down so he could speak to Oshawott, "So, you were following us huh?"
Oshawott nodded and smiled joyfully. "That's so cute!" May picked up the round-headed Pokémon and squeezed it with a hug. The brunette poked its cheeks, which clearly upset it and leaped out of her arms in annoyance.
"Oshawott, osha," Oshawott climbed up Ash and got on his shoulder, pushing Pikachu off in the process.
The irritated mouse glared at Oshawott as its cheeks began to spark. Oshawott dropped to the ground and stared at it with confusion. "Pikachu!" The mouse yelled and let out a Thunderbolt, but Oshawott wasted no time in reflecting it with its scalchop.
The electricity bounced off the shell and aimed for Ash. Pikachu's Thunderbolt shocked the boy and left him crisp. "You gotta love that Thunderbolt," Ash formed a weak smile and dropped on the ground.
May and Iris broke into laughter as they saw the roasted boy drop like a rock. Pikachu rubbed his head, embarrassed at the result while May's Pokémon remained confused by the scenario.
Oshawott approached the boy and gave him a sorry look. "Oshaaaawott," the starter gave Ash an apologetic look.
Ash sat up and then got his legs. An idea sparked in the boy's head, "Hey Oshawott, why don't you come with us?"
The Water-type jumped up and down in joy. "I'll take that as a yes," Ash smiled at the little guy, but before he could someone else had other plans.
"Go Pokeball!" Iris stated and surprised everyone. When Oshawott realized what was going on, he shot the ball back with Water Gun and the Pokeball hit Iris in the face.
May wondered about the exchange between the two and came to a conclusion, "Iris, I think it wants Ash to catch it."
Iris sighed as she rubbed her face. Ash grinned back at Oshawott, "That true, Oshawott?"
The Pokémon nodded and the boy still had a smile dancing across his face. "Alright, go Pokeball!" the boy threw the Pokeball, but to everyone's surprise, Oshawott didn't go in.
"It didn't go in," Ash looked at his Pokeball with a perplexed expression.
"Maybe it already has Pokeball," Iris suggested a reason.
"Hmmm," May placed her finger on her chin and wondered. The sapphire-eyed girl looked at the Oshawott and snapped her fingers, "Hey Ash, don't you think this might be Professor Juniper's Oshawott?"
Ash rubbed chin, "That's a thought. We should probably give her a call and ask."
Everyone agreed and they got on their way. The group managed to find a Pokemart with a phone, so they wasted no time in dialing the professor's number. "Hello kids, what can I help you with?" Professor Juniper smiled when she realized that it was Ash and his friends.
"Hi professor, we were just calling you to ask if this is your Oshawott," Ash stated and May picked up the small Pokémon to show the woman.
"Oh thank goodness you found him, I've looked around for him, but turns out he had gone after you guys," Professor Juniper let out a sigh of relief and then laughed.
"Great, do you want us to send him back?" May questioned the green-eyed woman politely about Oshawott.
Professor Juniper thought about it for a second, but then shook her head sideways. "Actually, I want you to take care of it Ash? He's yours now, are you up for it?"
Ash smiled excitedly, "Sure am!"
"Excellent, I'll send you Oshawott's Pokeball right now," Professor Juniper informed him and Ash turned to the machine next to them. The contraption shot out a ray of light that faded and revealed a Pokémon.
Ash picked up the Pokeball, "Thank you professor. I promise I'll that good care of him."
"I am sure you will, just be careful though, Oshawott tends to disappear without a trace most of the time. For now this is goodbye kids, talk to you soon," Professor Juniper recommended and waved goodbye with her usual beaming smirk.
The kids waved goodbye until the screen turned black. Iris turned around and her eyes widened, "Hey guys, where did Oshawott go?" The Unova girl remembered that he was right behind them before they called the professor.
"Uh oh," May realized how critical the situation had gotten.
Ash let out a sigh, "Come on, we have to find it." The trio and Pikachu ran out of the store in a hurry, looking everywhere for the playful otter. Ash ran around the whole zone, searching behind every nearby tree and bush until May and Iris appeared behind him.
"You know Ash, I could help if want?" Iris suggested.
Ash felt his pride swell up inside him, he already knew his response, "No thanks, I'll look for him on my own."
May placed her hands on hips and glared at the boy. "Oh come on Ash, can't you swallow your pride for a moment and let us help? Iris and Pikachu are your friends and I'm your girlfriend, so it's obviously the correct thing to do if we help you look for Oshawott."
The boy gave the brunette apologetic eyes. May made a point; he had to stop putting his pride before his friends, especially his love. It wasn't the right thing to do. "You're right May. I'm sorry you guys," Ash gave Iris, May, and Pikachu a shamefaced grin.
"Now come on then," May smiled at her boyfriend. She loved it when he came to his senses after doing something wrong because it just showed how much Ash cared about others. The brunette reached for his hand and they ran together while Iris and Pikachu ran after them.
Suddenly, they all dropped into a pit that been placed in the middle of the road. "What gives," Iris held her head after crashing down with the others.
"I wonder if it's another one of Team Rocket's booby traps," Ash groaned, recounting the many times he had fallen into their pits.
"When I get my hands on them, I'm going to," May threatened the Rockets, but she was interrupted by another voice.
"Actually, this is Sandile's doing," a boy looking down at them mentioned.
"Sandile?" Ash asked with a baffled look.
"I'll explain soon enough, here, grab on to this," the brown-haired kid threw a rope at Ash and his friends, which they held on to.
The four of them were pulled up and stood on the ground again. "Thanks, ummmm," Iris tried to thank the boy, but didn't know his name.
"Dan," Dan smiled and introduced himself.
"Hey there, I'm Ash and these are my friends May, Iris, and Pikachu," the raven-haired teen introduced the whole group.
"Hello," May greeted the boy happily.
"Nice to meet you," Dan grinned at them.
"So, what were you telling us earlier about a Sandile?" Ash asked the younger male.
"Oh that's right, you fell into a pit made by Sandile," Dan informed them.
May reached for her Pokédex to see what the machine had to say, "Sandile, the Desert Croc Pokémon. A dark membrane protects its eyes from the sun, and it buries itself in the sand with its eyes and nose sticking out."
"That's a mischievous-looking Pokémon," May said as she put away her Pokédex.
"Yeah, it's been causing tons of trouble at my father's resort spa that's near here," Dan put on a dismayed look when he explained a little about the issue regarding Sandile.
Before Ash could ask what was wrong though, May and Iris got on top of him and Pikachu. The two girls asked simultaneously, "Did you just say 'resort spa'?"
"Yeah," Dan laughed nervously because of the girl's excitement.
"Do you think we can go?" May clasped her hands and her eyes began to sparkle.
"I'm sorry, but we're closed," the boy sighed and gave the girl a remorseful gaze.
"Closed, why?" Iris asked the boy with her eyes widened.
"Come with me," Dan told the pair and began walking. The girls got off Ash and Pikachu. The pair rubbed their heads while staring at them. That was uncalled for, Ash believed
The kids arrived at the hot sand spas where they saw yellow tape enclosing the zone. "We had to close a couple of weeks ago because a bunch of Sandile started popping up and bugging the guests. They began digging up pits everywhere so we were forced to close. It's surprising because the Sandile are normally calm." Dan clearly sounded disappointed when he recalled the event.
The group of four felt sorry for Dan, but their attention turned to something else when they spotted it. "Oshawott," a small Pokémon lay on the floor, covered in sand.
They all ran over to the starter and Ash spoke to him, "Oshawott, so this is where you were?"
"Osha," Oshawott maintained his eyes closed as he nodded.
"I can't believe we went through some trouble just to catch up with a Pokémon relaxing in the sand," May sighed, realizing the time she had wasted on trying to find a Pokémon that didn't seem to have too much consideration for others.
Iris looked around and noticed something, "Hey where did Pikachu and Axew go?" Iris had realized that Axew wasn't in her hair like usual and Pikachu was nowhere around.
"Pikaaaa," the group turned around and saw Pikachu lay in the sand.
"Axeeeew." Axew lay next to him and enjoyed the relaxed moment.
"That's not fair," May lowered her head in depression. She wasn't able to have the luxury of enjoying the sand like the Pokémon.
Ash reached for Oshawott's Pokeball and told the trio in the sand, "Come on guys, we have to get going."
Before Ash could put Oshawott in its ball though, a Sandile with sunglasses popped out and grabbed Axew by the leg using its jaw. Sandile held onto Axew from its leg and glared at the trainers, "Sand, sandile!"
"Axew!" The Dragon-type yelled out in fear.
"Hey let go of my, Axew!" Iris exclaimed and grabbed Axew from its arm, struggling to get her Pokémon back. Pikachu, Oshawott, Dan, Ash, and May tried to help, but the Sandile was persistent.
The Sandile felt Pikachu's ear tickling his nose and was forced to let go because it sneezed. "Sand sandile sand!" Sandile stared at the group angrily and bit Pikachu by the arm and Oshawott by its leg.
Sandile ran off with Pikachu and Oshawott, which further enraged the teenagers. "Get back here!" Ash cried out with an upset tone.
Ash and his friends ran after Sandile, however, even more Sandile popped out to guard the Sandile with sunglasses. "We'll have to battle our way through," May frowned at the Sandile and reached for Deerling's Pokeball.
Ash followed her lead, but before they could summon their Pokémon the Sandile used Sand-Attack to blind them. A Sand-Attack from dozens of Sandile proved to be the same as a Sandstorm rushing at you. "I can't see," Ash rubbed his eyes to get the dirt off.
The Sandile used Dig to escape the humans and were gone when they could see again. Iris grinded her teeth, "They got away!" the brown-eyed girl cried out.
"They must have gone to the mountains, let's go," Dan instructed and led the way.
Ash and the others arrived to the top just in time and saw the Sandile with sunglasses drop Oshawott and Pikachu next to a group composed of Deerling, Pidove, and Patrat. "What are those Sandile doing with all those Pokémon," May became confused regarding the Sandile's motives.
The Sandile with sunglasses climbed on top of a rock, "Sandile, sand dile sand sandile!" Once the leader finished speaking, the other Sandile began guiding Pikachu, Oshawott and the other Pokémon, forward.
All of a sudden, multiple geysers began to burst out of the rock. A geyser popped out next to Iris that caused her to back up against a rock a fear. Dan analyzed the area carefully and began talking, "Could it be that the Sandile have been trying to warn us about these geysers? Is that why it's been keeping tourists away and taking Pokémon?"
As more geysers burst out, Ash became more concerned, "We have to do something. We can't just sit here and watch!" The boy looked at his friends and then ran to Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Oshawott!" Ash called out to his friends and the mouse and otter ran to him in joy. The Sandile and its leader took notice, but knew there was no time to fetch the Electric-type.
Suddenly, a huge quake occurred that cracked the earth beneath them. Even thicker geysers started to burst out and began cutting through the ground. Ash held on to Pikachu so he wouldn't let go as May and the others watched in fear.
The Sandile turned around saw that the geysers had split them from the Patrat, Deerling, and Pidove. The Sandile with sunglasses felt horror as he saw the wild Pokémon become stranded on a small piece of rock surrounded by boiling water.
More geysers popped up that caused the Wild Pokémon to back up against each other in fear. Ash took notice of this and murmured, "I have to do something." He turned to May and the others with a stressed look in his eye.
"What is Ash doing? He has to come back before he's boiled!" Iris pounded the rock, fearing the fate of her friend while Dan also feared for Ash. May frowned at her boyfriend, she knew him well enough to know what he was thinking.
Ash looked at Pikachu and Oshawott with serious looks. "We have to save those Pokémon you two; we can't just leave them there!"
"Pika!" Pikachu returned a serious look as he looked up at his trainer while Oshawott was uncertain about the task at hand.
"Let's go then," Ash made a fist and ran with Pikachu toward the wild Pokémon. The Sandile, Iris, and Dan all watched as the pair ran to save the stranded Pokémon. The duo was centimeters away from the boiling water and planned to jump, but before Pikachu and Ash could reach them, Oshawott pulled Pikachu back and May pulled Ash back.
"Ash, are you insane? I do not want a boiled boyfriend!" May yelled at him, concern running all over her face.
"But May, we can't just give up!" Ash screamed back at her.
"We won't, but Pikachu and you wouldn't have made the jump. Think for a second, please," May frowned at Ash, but had calmed down a bit.
Ash turned to see the gap between the Pokémon and them. May's right, it's far too wide. He grinded his teeth and hid his eyes under his hat, I know she's just following the duties she has as my girlfriend, but we can't just stand here.
May made Ash look at her and caressed his cheek. She took notice of the sadness in his eyes, but gave him a caring smile. "I promise that we'll save them, Ash," May gave him a reassuring look. I can't change the fact that he places others before himself, it's one of the many things that makes Ash, Ash, but I can't ignore the fact that I worry for him sometimes, I love him too much to lose him, the coordinator thought in her mind.
Pikachu realized how wide the gap was and thanked Oshawott with a pat on the back, who received it warmly, but they knew that something had to be done to save the Pokémon. Everyone's attention was suddenly caught by the Sandile, who started to take action.
The leader bit on a rock and leaned forward, forming a 180 degree angle. Another Sandile came and bit the leader by the tail, and formed a 180 degree angle as well. The other Sandile repeated after the other until they formed a narrow line of Sandile. The line began to bend forward and landed on the rock where the wild Pokémon stood.
"The Sandile are making a bridge!" Iris exclaimed in joy, already predicting what would happen next.
"That's brilliant," Dan was amazed by the Sandile's tactics.
"Come on guys, cross over," May encouraged them to cross over as she grinned at them.
They all seemed too frightened to cross. When Deerling tried to cross, a geyser burst beside her and scared the little Pokémon. Ash knew that this wouldn't work and crossed the bridge with Pikachu. The boy smiled at the Pokémon, "Nothing will happen because we won't let it, right Pikachu?"
"Pika!" the mouse nodded cheerfully.
"Pikachu, guide them across the bridge to the other side," Ash commanded and his mouse led the way across the Sandile bridge. The wild Pokémon began crossing behind Pikachu, but Ash started to notice that the Sandile were getting tired, "Just a little more," the black-haired teen encouraged.
On the other side Iris and Dan took the Pokémon to safety. At that sudden moment, the rock beneath Ash cracked a bit and made the boy lose his balance. Everyone became startled, but Ash grabbed one of the Sandile to keep him from falling into the water.
"Phew, that was a close one," Ash let out a deep breath, but saw that his weight made the Sandile struggle even more to keep this position.
Another geyser burst out uncontrollably and the water was about to splash on Ash. The boy's eyes widened and everyone felt fear crawl up their spines. May screamed, fearing for her boyfriend, but Oshawott ran across the Sandile Bridge and jumped to use Water Gun on the boiling water. "Oshaawott," Oshawott unleashed a fierce stream of water.
The Water Gun pushed the hot water towards another direction, but since Oshawott had jumped so high, he began falling down towards the boiling water. "Oshawott!" the otter Pokémon flailed in the air, but Ash reached for his Pokeball just in time.
"Oshawott, return!" Ash returned Oshawott to its Pokeball. "Thank you for saving me Oshawott," Ash smiled at the Pokeball and put it away, but Ash could no longer hold on to the Sandile and his grip loosened.
Suddenly, someone grabbed his hand to keep him from being boiled. He looked up and saw May smiling and gazing at him tenderly. Ash returned the tender gaze. "I'm here, and I'm not letting go," May spoke to him with a loving tone.
Ash nodded in acknowledgement, "I'm always here for you too." The two were pulled and the Sandile made a vertical line with Ash and May at the top. The Sandile with the sunglasses could no longer hold on and dropped with the other Sandile as well as Ash and May.
"You did it!" Iris and Dan congratulated them with joyous voices. Ash and May nodded at the girl, and then smiled at each other, but their gazes turned to the leader of the Sandile.
"Way to go Sandile," Ash congratulated the true hero of today.
Sandile smiled at the group warmly, the croc had taken a liking to the group, especially Ash.
Later that day…
"Well Dan, looks like the water from the geyser has given us a new attraction," Dan's father spoke proudly about the newest addition to their spa.
"Yeah dad, I'm a little sad that we lost the sand spa, but I'm glad things worked out anyway. Everyone is going to love our hot spring," Dan smiled contently.
"This is so lovely, I give it 5 stars!" May spoke cheerfully about the spring while she enjoyed it in her bathing suit.
"I could stay here forever!" Iris played with Axew while she enjoyed the spring too.
"Tell me about it!" Ash yelled joyfully as he played with Pikachu and Oshawott in the spring.
"Why, thank you kids. Stay for as long as you feel like," Dan's father grinned at them happily.
"We will," May stated as she felt an arm wrap around her shoulder.
She turned to see that it was Ash and the two blushed. "I'm glad everything worked out May," the boy smiled at her with a red tint coloring his face.
"I'm glad too Ash," May gave him an affectionate smile as she felt a blush color her face.
The brunette pulled herself to kiss him on the lips, after everything that happened today, they were both glad that it ended so peacefully. Everyone smiled at the young love Ash and May were sharing, even a Sandile with sunglasses that was hiding behind the bushes.
That's it for this chapter. I'm guessing most of you know what episode this was based on and included it because I saw that it contained some major elements. I even made it more dramatic with those Advanceshipping scenes, but anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will be completely original and a character will make his/her debut, try to guess who and if you want, leave it in your review. See ya guys later!