Mhmmm, I wonder what leaves are this way, Caterpie said the next day. He was walking alone along a lone trail in the forest. Tasty tasty leaves. Mhmmm, food is all I can think about.
I think that we're not being subtle enough here…. Ash said, from a nearby bush.
I know what you mean, Pikachu agreed from beside him. I don't really eat leaves, but he's walking by plenty that should be good to eat.
That's not what I meant either…. You know what, let's just be done for now. Ash called out to Caterpie. We'll have to think of a different way to do this starting tomorrow.
Oh fine. So, what are we going to do the rest of the day? Caterpie asked.
We'll train, Ash answered, walking out of the bushes. It's why Pikachu and I are out so deep in the forest anyway. I don't want to worry about any humans stumbling on us, it would be annoying. So, String Shot is your big thing, right?
Right, Caterpie nodded. Well, as big as it can get with me.
I know the primary use of String Shot is to slow other pokémon down, Ash went on, but that's mainly when used against high level pokémon that can easily tear through it. We should work on strengthening String Shot so that it isn't so easy to break and your own strength, so that when you've ensnared a pokémon you have options. Hmmm…
Got any training I should be doing while you think of how to train Caterpie, Pikachu asked.
Nothing exciting. Just stand behind a tree and try to hit- Ash looked around for a target – that rock over there. But hit it from a new angle each time.
Booooring, Pikachu said, rolling his eyes, but fine.
As Pikachu went off to train, Ash sat down, trying to think of the best way to improve Caterpie's abilities. He sat there for several minutes of silence, while Pikachu was having trouble with his positioning. Caterpie watched them both in reverent excitement.
A flying type, with a long red crest, red and brown tail feathers, and a brown body landed on a nearby branch.
First tasty caterpie in- I mean, human I challenge you! Send out that delicious looking- I mean- Look just get ready to fight, the pidgeotto said.
I don't think you actually want to fight my trainer, Caterpie said, rapidly crawling over to Ash. I think you just want to eat me!
Well, I'm starving, the pidgeotto shot back. I haven't seen a caterpie in ages and I haven't had any luck with berries. So, since it doesn't look like your trainer has any other pokémon- the pidgeotto jumped down from the branch and spread it wings, nonverbally signaling challenge and aggression- I'm going to challenge him, he's going to send you out, I'll grab you and fly away before he can recall you, and then I won't be so hungry.
Ash, she's being dishonest with her challenge, Caterpie protested. Can you just return me to my pokéball until she goes away?
Don't bother little morsel, he's a human and he can't understand you- the pidgeotto began.
Uh…. Actually….. I understood every word you said since you landed, Ash interjected, rubbing the back of his head.
Several seconds of silence passed before Pidgeotto spoke again.
This is awkward, Pidgeotto said, lowering her wings like she was about to take off. Well, a pokémon's got to eat, so I'll just grab that caterpie and-
Electricity buzzed as a crackling tendril of yellow power snaked around a tree and earthed itself in Pidgeotto. She squawked and fell over, singed and twitching.
Okay, that was worth all that boring training, Pikachu said, stepping out from behind the tree. Ash, we have to do this more often.
Have something try to eat me? Caterpie asked, peeking out from behind Ash's knee.
No, I mean let me shock something that doesn't know I'm there, Pikachu corrected. Especially if I have a type advantage over them.
I mean, the tactic of ambush is a highly effective tactic, Ash said, so we will definitely try to do this again. It just might be difficult to actually set up.
Who cares? Ambushing is fun, Pikachu grinned, cheeks sparking. He shocked Pidgeotto again.
That's enough, Ash chided. She's beaten.
Aren't you going to capture her? Caterpie asked.
Nah, Ash said. She didn't actually challenge me. She was just looking for a meal. We'll just let her recover and-
You can catch me, Pidgeotto croaked, picking herself up. I knew what I was getting into when I challenged you. Even if it was only for the chance at lunch.
You don't have to-
Just catch me already, okay, Pidgeotto said. I obviously need training if I can screw up this badly.
Okay. Ash shrugged and threw a pokéball at the flying type. Red light flashed, the pokéball rocked, and Pidgeotto was captured. Ash immediately released her.
So that's what it feels like, Pidgeotto said, spreading her wings and looking them over. I thought it would tickle honestly…
Yeah, I know, it's hard to describe what going into a pokéball feels like, Caterpie said. Is there a human word for it?
How would we know what it feels like to get sucked into a pokéball? Ash asked. They don't work on us.
Fair enough. Now onto to other business. Pidgeotto declared, turning to face Ash. Now that I'm your pokémon, you are responsible for keeping me fed, and I'm starving!
You're just using us for food! Pikachu accused pointing at the newcomer.
Yes, Pidgeotto nodded. I thought that was obvious….
Ash laughed.
That's as good of a reason as any to become a trained pokémon, he said, digging into his pack for some food. Why I remember there was a pair of vulpixes…... Ash quit laughing, expression becoming serious as he became lost in thought.
After a minute his pokémon shared a glance.
Uh, Ash, you okay? Pikachu asked, poking the human in the knee.
Sorry, Ash said, shaking his head, and returning to his task. Was lost in thought.
Of course, Pikachu nodded. It's unfamiliar territory for you.
Later that night the four of them were sitting around a small fire, wisps of smoke floating up into the starlit sky.
So, Pidgeotto, what are your strengths? Ash asked.
Other than failing to find food and getting zapped. Pikachu said. We already know that you're good at that.
Oh, is the groundwalker jealous? Pidgeotto asked, preening. Sure, you can zap me, but only when I deign to come down to your level.
Right, because the clouds are just so interesting, Pikachu shot back with a glare. Face it, everything interesting is here on the ground-
Anyway, Ash interrupted, rolling his eyes, Pidgeotto, what moves do you-
Actually, can I ask a question? Caterpie interrupted.
Sure, Ash said.
Pidgeotto, when you were going to eat me-
Sorry about that, Pidgeotto interjected.
It's alright, Caterpie said with a nod. It's not the first time some pokémon's tried to eat me. But when you were trying to devour me, you said that you haven't seen a caterpie in ages? Were you hunting in the north-west part of the forest?
Yes, Pidgeotto nodded. I was. How could you tell?
Caterpies have been disappearing, Caterpie said. We want to know why.
We were actually looking into that just before you arrived, Ash explained. If you had arrived a couple minutes earlier you would have seen Caterpie acting as bait. Which would have made everything even more awkward…..
It would have been interesting at least, Pidgeotto said. I've got no idea why the caterpies are vanishing, but I'd be happy to help investigate.
Cool! We'll work on that tomorrow. Tonight though, let's just go over what moves you know.
Gust, Sand-Attack, and Quick Attack, Pidgeotto answered. I'm also pretty good at dodging when I've actually had some food and not being ambushed.
Well we can improve that, Ash replied. I think- well honestly that strategy remind me of one of my caretakers…..
Huh? Pidgeotto cocked her head. What do you mean?
Well, it's related to how I learned to speak properly, Ash said, and proceeded to spend the rest of the night explaining his upbringing to Pidgeotto, and answering questions from Caterpie and Pikachu.
The next day was grey and overcast, with a chill wind whipping through the forest, in contrast to the seasonal warmth.
There's going to be a storm later today, Ash commented as he walked through the forest, Pikachu riding on his head, Caterpie on one shoulder, Pidgeotto on the other.
I hope it's a thunderstorm, Pikachu said. I do love a good thunderstorm. All that lightning coming down….
Fun fact about lightning, Ash replied. Did you know that it actually goes up? Well, sort of.
Huh? Pikachu looked down at Ash in confusion.
Well, there are different types of lightning, Ash went on, but the usual cloud to ground lightning is weird. The part that is the big flash is actually going up from the ground, but only after a downward channel of charged air meets another, usually shorter, channel of charged air going up.
Hmmm…..., Pikachu crossed his forepaws, head down in thought. If that's the case I wonder if I could cause a lightning strike… I could just manipulate the first charge going up…. No, still need to worry about the charge going down…... What if I were to send that up going charge all the way to the clouds instead….
Given how dangerous lightning is, can you not try to play around with it? Ash asked. I don't want anyone getting fried.
I second that motion, Pidgeotto added.
Spoilsports, Pikachu scoffed. Anyway, where'd you learn about this stuff?
I read it in a book on weather, Ash answered. Flygirl made me read it because she thought it would help me recognize incoming weather better.
Did it? Caterpie asked.
No, it wasn't that sort of book about weather, Ash said. But at least it was interesting and had some cool facts.
Do you know any other cool facts? Caterpie inquired.
Probably? Ash said, almost shrugging before he remembered the pokémon on his shoulders. I just don't know any off the top of my head.
Maybe if we knocked the electric vermin off there'd be more room…. Pidgeotto suggested with a sidelong glance at Pikachu.
Maybe if we gave electroshock therapy to the collection of raggedy feathers-
How do you know what electroshock therapy is? Ash asked. I can't imagine that the topic would come up in the wild.
Saw it off of a human T.V. show, Pikachu said. Anyway-
When did you get to watch a human T.V. show? Ash asked. When did you even have time to be by a T.V?
I hung out at a lot of appliance stores to eat their electricity, Pikachu explained. I used to pass the time by hiding from the employees and watching whatever they had playing on the televisions. I watched plenty of TV shows and movies that way. That reminds me Ash, when we get to a city we have to go to a movie theater, I want to see if there are any new kaiju movies out.
Why?
Because they're my favorite! Pikachu exclaimed, throwing his forepaws up in the air. What's not to like about a giant thing wrecking a city while everyone tries to blow it up?
This is so unfair, Ash groaned. I'm a human who only got to watch three educational videos in school and you're a pokémon who got to watch enough television shows and movies to have a favorite genre.
What's even better is that you've chosen a life where you won't really have a chance to enjoy human media, Pikachu said with glee. I don't think there's a lot of TVs and movies out in the forest, now is there?
I…. don't think so, Caterpie said after a moment. There's none of those human things, uh, power lines, that they use to run their stuff out here. And-
It was a joke Caterpie, Pikachu interrupted.
Oh. Well, do they have them, at uh, what are they called, Caterpie tried to remember a name. Those outposts in the forest and the city where they take care of pokémon….. Right, pokémon centers! Do they have TVs and movies at pokémon centers?
Probably, Ash replied. But I don't think you're supposed to stay very long at a pokémon center unless you work there or are being treated there.
A night is long enough to introduce you all to the magic that is kaiju movies! Pikachu exclaimed, clutching one forepaw into a fist and slamming it into his chest. You poor benighted souls, languishing in the dark for so long. Fret not, for I, the kind and generous Pikachu shall enlighten you!
That's a euphemism for electrocute, right? Ash asked. Because that's what you've actually been doing to us.
Oh, he's shocked you two as well? Pidgeotto asked. I thought I was the only one that he shocked unprovoked.
You tried to eat Caterpie! Ash and Pikachu protested at the same time.
Yeah, the first shock was provoked, Pidgeotto replied. But then he shocked me again after I was beaten.
True, Ash said. That shock was unprovoked. He also shocked me when we first met.
You were mocking me! Pikachu protested. Using your ability to speak properly to mess with my mind!
And he shocked me before we could get ready to battle, Caterpie added.
We were going to battle eventually! Pikachu exclaimed spining to face Caterpie. I just saved us a little time.
I think Pikachu just has a 'shocking' personality, Ash joked, while Pikachu rolled his eyes.
He's certainly electrifying to be around, Pidgeotto added, while Pikachu groaned.
He can be fun! Caterpie exclaimed.
Thank you Caterpie, Pikachu said. You're a true comrade. Now, Caterpie, if you would just jump off of Ash's shoulder for a second…...
Caterpie, he wants to shock us, Ash said quickly. Stay on my shoulder so he can't.
How dare you use living shields against me! Pikachu said with mock ferocity. Have you no honor?
Well, since I'm evidently just a steed, I guess not, Ash replied with a grin. Besides, Caterpie's a hostage, not a shield.
I'd hate to be a living shield, Caterpie added. It doesn't seem very fun.
It's all semantics, Pikachu said with a wave of his hand. I can claim the moral victory in any case.
Whatever you say.
The four of them continued through the forest, stopping a few hours to train, and to scout the forest for any sign of what was causing the caterpie to vanish. Pikachu continued to work on his control, endurance, and speed. Caterpie kept working on his string shot while Pidgeotto worked on Sand-Attack and improving her agility. They had lunch and then continued onward into the north-west forest.
Overhead the clouds grew yet darker, the wind picked up, and the air pressure dropped like a stone. Ash pulled his coat tighter and put on a grey rain hat in preparation for the eventual storm.
Pidgeotto, do you think you could do a quick fly by to see if there's a good place to take shelter nearby? Ash asked.
Maybe, she replied, turning a critical eye overhead. If I'm up for only a minute or so… wait, I see a couple of zubats. We could ask them?
That's a good idea, Ash agreed. If they're flying in this weather, hopefully it's because they're hurrying to reach some nearby shelter. Just don't take too long.
Don't worry I know better than to fly during a storm, Pidgeotto said, before taking wing. There were three zubats in the sky, spread out over a distance, but undoubtedly communicating in their ultrasonic fashion. Pidgeotto approached the closest one, only for it to veer away from her. The other two scattered, one flying parallel to her, the other dropping down into the forest.
What's going on? Pidgeotto asked herself, feeling a dropping sensation in the pit of her stomach that had little to do with the storm. This might not be good….
She turned over and dived out of the sky, slowing and coming to hover by her trainer.
They wouldn't talk to me, she told him. I don't know why.
Maybe they thought you were going to eat them? Caterpie suggested from Ash's shoulder.
Zubats aren't on the menu, Pidgeotto replied. They're too hard to catch and then there's the poison to deal with. And they generally know that….
Maybe they're shy, Ash said. Or maybe…. Hmmm…. Maybe we should hurry up and find that shelter now. I don't like the other possible explanations for their behavior.
Like what? Pikachu asked.
I can make us some shelter, Caterpie exclaimed, jumping off of Ash. Well, I can at least keep the wind and rain off of us. It won't be warm…. Ash do you feel that?
Feel what? Ash asked, looking around.
Vibrations in the ground… there's something coming from underground… Caterpie said, also looking around. As a small bug type, it paid to be sensitive to ground conditions, so that one would have some forewarning about underground predators.
Caterpie, get back on my shoulder, Ash ordered. Everyone keep an eye out and get ready for me to run.
I think they were coming from the west, Caterpie said as he complied with Ash's order. They're moving fast.
Then we'll- INCOMING!
In the shadows of the nearby forest something exploded out of the ground. A projectile whistled through the air. Ash threw himself forward, feeling the breeze from the attack on the back of his hair, as the projectile passed through the space his head and Pikachu used to occupy.
Eat electricity! Pikachu shouted, launching himself from Ash's head and unleashing a bolt of coruscating, crackling, yellow power. It lit up the woods and revealed an orange-brown, bipedal lizard-like pokémon wearing a skull, a cubone, as the attacker. It stood with one empty forepaw held out as if it was planning to catch something. Ash realized what was happening.
Crap, the boy exclaimed, scrambling forward. The projectile, the cubone's bone club, came back to its owner, narrowly missing Ash on the return trip.
Ground types! How I hate them! Pikachu shouted coming between Ash and the cubone. Well, the three of us should be enough to deal with one aggressive cubone, even if I can't zap it!
Pidgeotto looked up on instinct and shouted. We've got trouble from above!
Two of the zubats from before were swooping down, mouths open. Ash knew that they were probably bombarding his team with supersonic sound waves, the move Supersonic, trying to disrupt and confuse them.
I don't feel so great, Pikachu said, stumbling. What's happening?
We're the ones getting ambushed this time! Ash exclaimed, grabbing the yellow pokémon. Pidgeotto, Sand-Attack the cubone! Caterpie, String Shot the zubats! Wide so they can't dodge!
Pidgeotto let forth a blast of air into the ground, sending a wave of dust and debris at the cubone. Caterpie shot forth a spray of sticky silk that the zubats scattered to avoid.
We're going, Ash said, Pikachu held in his arms, Caterpie perched on his shoulder, and Pidgeotto hovering nearby. Everyone stick with me! He took off in a dead sprint away from the cubone.
His heart was beating in his ears, his rain hat's strap was around his neck, the hat proper flapping in the wind behind him, and his mind was empty except for the rapidly rising sense of cold panic and dread. Branches and leaves whipped at Ash's sides as he barreled down the game trails of the forest. He could hear the flutter of wings behind him and the screeches of the pursuing zubats.
How many were there? Ash managed to shout to Pidgeotto.
There were three zubats earlier, Pidgeotto shouted back. I don't know where the third one is!
Keep an eye out! Pikachu are you feeling better yet? Ash shouted, feeling the panic start to recede as he made his plan.
A little, Pikachu replied. I don't think I could do any acrobatics right now, but I'm pretty sure you just want me to zap some zubats.
Yes! Ash answered, stopping and looking around. He could hear their screeching, but he couldn't see them.
Water, wet and startling cold fell on his face. Ash could hear the rushing pitter patter as the rain fell throughout the forest, drowning out the sounds he had hoped to hear, the sounds of the zubats.
Just great! The human snarled. Just what we need. Pidgeotto, we're moving again!
Ash took off running again, rain soaking into his hair and clothes. The wind was becoming unbearably cold. Each stride was accompanied by a squelch as dirt turned to mud and the boy's shoes began to fill with water.
Even as his lungs began to burn from sprinting for minutes on end, even as a chill settled into his flesh, it felt unreal to Ash. He had just been talking and joking with his pokémon not even an hour ago and now he was running for his life!
He came to a stop on a rocky patch of ground, hoping, rather than thinking, that it would be safer there.
Caterpie, do you think you could still sense them through the mud? Ash asked. Pidgeotto, Pikachu, can you hear the zubats?
I can give it a try! Caterpie said, jumping off of Ash.
I haven't heard anything but rain for a while, Pidgeotto answered, shaking her head.
Same, Pikachu added.
Pikachu, get ready to zap the zubats if you can be sure it's them! Ash ordered. Don't give us away unless you're sure. Pidgeotto keep an eye out. Caterpie do you sense anything?
I'm not sure, the bug type replied. It's hard to tell through mud, but….. Oh no!
Earth erupted from the direction they had fled. Ash jumped to the side to the side again as a bone club hurtled through the air, shattering a nearby tree.
Behind you! Caterpie shouted, and Ash turned on instinct. He got the barest glimpse of another cubone, a whistling sound, a feeling of sharp animal panic that overrode all thought-
-something was moving fast and glowing white-
-a loud clanging sound-
-a small shockwave throwing the rain away-
-a bone club ricocheting off into the distance-
-and something slammed into Ash, knocking him on his behind. He grabbed the object on instinct, holding it against his chest with one arm, the other around Pikachu. One cubone stood behind him, one with a slightly startled expression stood on his other side, hand out to catch a bone club that would no longer be returning on its own.
He looked down and saw a green angular thing, formed of faintly gleaming chitin-
Caterpie? Ash asked. But you- why'd you evolve?
I decided that being a living shield was better than letting you die! Caterpie, now Metapod, shouted.
Back off! Pidgeotto screeched, unleashing twin Gust attacks. The cubones braced themselves against the small twisters, claws digging into mud and earth.
Metapod, String Shot, wide! Ash shouted, pointing his pokémon at the cubone that still had a club. A spray of sticky silk shot out and the cubone was wrapped up.
Ash looked and saw movement in the dark skies above.
Pikachu, there's a zubat! Thundershock! The human shouted.
On it! Pikachu replied, jumping out of Ash's grasp and letting loose several tendrils of electric power into the sky. One of them found a zubat, coursed straight through it, and blasted it out of the air.
Pidgeotto, Quick Attack the other cubone before it gets its club back! Ash ordered. A brown blur shot through the forest, impacting the other cubone, and sending it tumbling into the forest.
Alright, now we need to get that other zubat- Ash began-
Rain sizzled and steamed as a ball of fire came out of the forest, impacting Pikachu. With a high-pitched cry, the yellow pokémon was sent tumbling backwards, black scorch marks on his coat.
Not this too! Ash groaned, near tears. More flames lanced out of the darkness, burning away the silk entrapping the clubless cubone.
Pidgeotto, Gust everything! Ash ordered, grabbing a limp Pikachu. And then follow me!
With a wordless battle cry Pidgeotto flapped her wings three times, kicking up larger circles of wind each time. A cyclone engulfed the battlefield, with Ash in its eye of the twister as it sucked up mud, rain, and pokémon. He could hear cries from his attackers as they were hurled away by the roaring winds.
Come on, he called, getting up before the attack even ended, and running back into the rain.
The four of them made it several yards before an invisible force slammed into them all, person and pokémon alike. Ash felt his breath escape in a grunt as he was smashed into a tree, and then the pressure on him prevented him from taking another.
A drowzee walked out of the forest, one hand extended in a gesture of concentration. Ash desperately tried to breath as he struggled against the telekinetic force pinning him. Animal panic overwhelmed his mind as he was denied the oxygen he needed.
"Well, what do we have here?" A male voice said. A man with brown hair stepped out of the darkness, accompanied by a small red bipedal pokémon, a magby. The man had a small, twisted, nasty smile on his face. "Not the bitch we were looking for, but you might know her."
Ash tried to say something, anything, but he still couldn't breathe….
"Now personally, I'd just kill you," the man went on, "but my boss seems like she'd like to talk to you, to see if you know anything about the trainer we're looking for. So, I guess I just got to wait till you pass out, then I'll kill your pokémon, and then we'll take you back to camp."
More miserable panic at the words, so much that Ash thought he would burst from the overwhelming swell of emotions. Between fear, panic, and his suffocation the boy couldn't even really understand what was happening anymore.
Tears leaked out of Ash's eyes as the world began to go dark…
"Ice Beam!" A girl's voice sounded from somewhere. The brown-haired man's expression briefly changed to one of fear before a white-blue beam struck him and his magby. Ice creaked and roared and the man screamed as he was rapidly frozen solid.
"Water Gun! Bubblebeam!" The female voice shouted again. A pressurized jet of water shot out of the trees at the drowzee, only to be intercepted by an invisible pane of force as the drowzee held up its other hand. At the same time a high-pressure stream of oval bubble shot out from yet another direction, forcing the psychic type to drop the hold on Ash. Ash fell to the ground, landing in a crouch.
"Pikachu Thunderbolt!" Ash cried out after sucking in a deep breath. "Metapod, String Shot! Pidgeotto Gust!"
Wordless cries came from the trees behind Ash, as wind, silk, and electricity lanced out under the storm clouds. The drowzee surrounded itself with a translucent purple bubble of psychic power, letting most of the attacks batter against its defense.
Most of the attacks.
Metapod's attack passed through the defense as if it wasn't there, covering the drowzee's head in glob of sticky silk. Suddenly deprived of oxygen, the drowzee flinched and dropped its defenses.
There was an explosion as the attacks converged and the drowzee was sent hurtling back into the storm in a spray of blood.
Ash stood there for a moment, panting, greedily sucking in the air that had been denied him, before turning to look for his rescuer.
The first thing Ash noticed about her, in the darkness under the storm, was her fire colored hair, like the beginning of a sunrise or the end of a sunset, defying the monotone colors of the storm shrouded forest. Hope, gratitude, the after effects of adrenaline, and a sudden joy shot through Ash at the sight of rescue.
Ash noticed that she seemed a few inches taller than him. As she came towards him, Ash also noticed that she was limping and holding her side.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"I'm the one who should be asking you that," she replied, holding up two pokéballs. A beam of red light lashed out from each of them, heading into the forest, and two pokémon were recalled. "We've got to get out of here before the rest arrive. Follow me, I know somewhere safe"
As if to reinforce her point a roar echoed through the forest, accompanied by the faint sound of snapping branches.
"Okay," Ash agreed. "Lead the way."
Ash returned Metapod and Pidgeotto to their pokéballs, and then followed his rescuer deeper into the forest. Darkness, deep as night, had fallen under the storm, though Ash's watch insisted that it was still day. Bolts of lightning split the sky, the harsh, echoing cracks more terrifying then the all-consuming rumble of thunder to follow. Ash was completely soaked by the time they made it to a rocky hill with a small stone cliff. There was a fissure, barely wide enough for a human to squeeze through, running through part of the cliff.
"Through here." The girl told Ash. "You'll need to take off your backpack to fit."Ash nodded, took off his backpack, and followed her through the crack into a cave beyond.
The girl fiddled with something in the dark and then a lantern was lit, allowing Ash to get a better look at his savior. Her eyes were viridian, the blue green of the shallows of a clear sea during a sunny day. She was slim and athletic, wearing a yellow tank top, denim shorts, and red suspenders. But what caught Ash's eyes were the white bandages wrapped around her right leg, and plastered over her right side. A small red stain marked the bandages on her side.
"Crap," the girl said, noticing his glance and the red stain, "the cut's open again."
"What-" Ash began, sinking back against the cave wall, Pikachu in his arms, his body suddenly aching. "What happened to you?"
"Crossbows," the girl answered. "We can save the full story for later… what's your name?"
"Aaron," Ash answered.
"I'm Misty," the girl told him. "You probably want a towel for you and your pikachu."
Ash shook his head. "Only if you have some to spare."
"Don't worry about me," Misty replied, rolling her eyes, and walking over to another part of the cave. "I'm a water type specialist, raised by water type specialists. I've spent more time in water then out of it. This is nothing." She threw a pair of towels at Ash. "Dry off while I change my bandages. I'll be just around the corner if you need something."
She left, leaving Ash, Pikachu, and a couple of towels. Ash began to rub Pikachu down with the towels, until Pikachu started to squirm.
Stop it, the static tickles, Pikachu whined. Let me just- the yellow pokémon jumped away from Ash and then vigorously shook himself, spraying water over the cave. There. That's better.
Okay, Ash said in a monotone. Ash picked up the other towel and began to rub himself down in a mechanical matter. His aches receded and everything felt numb. It was like a dream where he wasn't himself and he was floating in his own body. It had to be a dream, nothing seemed real at the moment.
He was numb. He was being hunted. He was numb. He was numb. He was numb.
Ash.
He was numb. He was numb. He was numb. He was numb. He was being hunted.
Ash!
He was numb. He was numb. He was numb. He was numb.
ASH! Something hit his face. He looked down at another face, a yellow face with red circles on the cheeks.
Ash, are you alright? Pikachu asked, looking concerned. You were breathing funny and you've been drying that arm for five minutes now.
Ash blinked and shook his head. He looked down at himself. His arm was indeed dry. He was being hunted. He was being hunted. He was being hunted. He was being hunted.
Ash! Pikachu was in his face again.
I'm sorry, Ash said, gulping. Tears were leaking out of the corners of his eyes. He was being hunted. He was being hunted. He was being hunted again, like what happened to his parents, like what had happened in Sinnoh. Hunters were after him, his nightmares come to life. He couldn't think, he kept breathing too fast, he couldn't think, he was on fire with fear, he couldn't think-
Ash took one deep breath. He recalled his mental defense training from the days he had lived near Lavendar Town. How to manage his mind, focus his attention, recognize his thoughts, and drop a line of thought without lingering.
It didn't matter because his hunters-
And the line of thought was dropped. Ash turned his mind to other matters, such as medical supplies for his pokémon.
"Pikachu, do you have any burns?" Ash asked, digging around in his backpack. He'd need some of the rejuvenating agents, colloquially called Potions, to speed up the healing of his pokémon, and a Burn Heal for Pikachu.
I've got a small one here, Pikachu said, pointing to his side. The rest is just burnt fur.
"Alright," Ash said, applying the burn heal to the affected area. His hunters- Next he needed to care for his other pokémon. Metapod might have been hurt deflecting the bone club and Pidgeotto by the psychic attack. White light blazed and his other two pokémon were out.
"Let's get a potion on each of you," Ash told them. His hunters- "Any external injuries?"
I think my back is bruised, Pidgeotto answered, looking over her shoulder. Maybe some scrapes as well.
I'm good, Metapod said. Well, as good as I can be stuck as a metapod…
I'm sorry you had to do that, Ash replied with a grimace, before applying the potion to Pidgeotto's back.
It's better then letting you get hit, Metapod said. And I'm not totally useless. You can still point me at things you need hit with string shot. It's just everything else that I'm no good for.
Well…. Maybe not, Ash said. Pidgeotto drink up. He had the flying type drink the rest of the potion to help with general recovery.
What else can I do? Metapod asked. I can't move, so I can't tackle-
But you can be moved, Ash interrupted. And you can harden at will. If we have Pidgeotto carry you, and release you in the middle of a Quick Attack, or if we drop you from a great height, and then you use Harden, you would make a great projectile.
Huh, Metapod mused. I guess that's something at least. But I'll still be useless in one on one battles.
Yeah, Ash frowned again. I'm sorry-
Ash, it was my choice, Metapod interrupted. Don't worry, at least now I can become a butterfree.
Fine, Ash sighed. His hunters- Next he needed to take stock of the local geography.
Ash are you okay? Pikachu repeated his question from earlier, his expression soft, worried. You were…. acting strange before.
His hunters- Ash closed his eyes and took a breath before speaking. I'm trying to be fine. Don't worry. I'll make sure you all get out of this safely.
Ash…. Pikachu said sadly, briefly nuzzling the boy's side. Don't- Crap the girl's coming back-
"You hurt?" Misty asked, coming back around the corner with a fresh set of bandages on her side.
"I'm fine," Ash answered.
"Is your team hurt? Do you need any supplies for them?"
"I already gave them some potions," Ash answered. "What about you? Is there anything I can do to help with those wounds?"
"I've cleaned them, disinfected them, and bandaged them, so unless you've had professional medical training and know you can do a better job, then I don't think so," Misty replied with a strained smile. "I'm sorry about this. It's my fault that they attacked you."
"How? And who was it who attacked us?" Ash asked. "Why did they decide to attack me?"
"I don't know for sure why they attacked you, but I'm pretty sure it was because they thought you might be with me," Misty answered, sitting down on the other side of the cave, wincing as she did so. "Several days ago, I came across some suspicious looking people counting a pile of pokéballs. I thought they were low level poachers or something, so I confronted them. I thought I could scare them into releasing the pokémon by threatening to call my gym-"
"Your gym?"
"I'm a gym trainer with the Cerulean City Gym," Misty answered and then quit talking like she was waiting for something.
"Okay, and?" Ash asked, wondering why she had quit talking.
"Uh, you're not going to ask how I managed that so young?" Misty sounded surprised.
"I don't know how gym trainers work," Ash replied, frowning. "And you don't seem that young to me…."
"Ouch," Misty said, mock-wincing. "Not even quite yet fourteen and I'm already 'not young'. Anyway, I threatened to call my gym, thinking that would scare them. But they attacked me instead. Shot me and my pokégear with crossbows. Luckily, I had Staryu and Starmie hidden nearby. I got half of them before I escaped. Ever since then I've seen their zubats up in the sky looking for me. I was keeping an eye on them when I noticed your pidgeotto and have been looking for you since."
"But why would they attack me?" Ash asked. "And who are they?"
"I think they're Team Rocket," Misty answered. "They're not in the Rocket uniforms, but there's not many other groups who would behave like this. They probably attacked you because they thought you might be connected with me." She looked down and clenched her fists. "So, it's my fault they attacked you."
"No, it's not," Ash said. "They're the ones who attacked me, not you-"
You were just blaming yourself for Metapod evolving you hypocrite! Pikachu groaned. Ugh! Humans!
"He's just adorable," Misty said with a smile. "Can I pet him?"
At least she recognizes my cuteness! Pikachu said, scampering over to the red head.
"Anyway, I'll do my best to get you out of this safely," Misty said, petting Pikachu.
Oh, by Zapdos's Sparks! Pikachu groaned. Our idiot already said that-
Maybe it's a human thing? Metapod suggested.
It might be, because humans are stupid! Pikachu shot back.
"Oh, I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" Misty cooed to Pikachu. "Here, does this feel better?" She asked, petting him in a different spot. "Shhh…. Don't worry you adorable pokémon you."
Ash wondered if he could forget how to understand pokémon so he could achieve such blissful ignorance.
"So, do you have any pokémon besides these three?" Misty asked.
"No," Ash answered. "And I just got Pidgeotto yesterday."
"I'm guessing that you only recently became a trainer?"
"Yes," Ash nodded.
"Okay," Misty closed her eyes. "Do you have a pokégear? Or any other communication device?"
"No."
"Alright," Misty opened her eyes. "So, here's the plan. We're going to head to Pewter City after the storm's passed. I was going to wait until my leg healed first, but we don't have that luxury now."
"If you're going to have- ", Ash started, but Misty interrupted.
"It's not just because you're here," Misty said, shaking her head. "They're also getting closer, so this place isn't safe anymore."
"Speaking of safe," Ash looked back at the narrow entrance. "What are we going to do if they discover us? They can trap us in here."
"There's a weak spot in back," Misty replied. "It will take a few seconds, but we can blast it and leave through there."
"What pokémon do you have?" Ash asked.
"Staryu, Starmie, and Goldeen," Misty answered. "Goldeen isn't going to be any help unless we get into a fight in some water, so it's really just Staryu and Starmie."
"So, I'm going to have to have Pikachu fight any electric types," Ash said, partially to Misty and partially to himself. "Pidgeotto will have to handle any grass types…... hmmm I wonder if we could combine Gust, the rain, and Ice Beam for a makeshift shield against electric attacks, is ice, uh, not good with electricity….."
"No time for experiments," Misty said with a wry smile. "I agree with the other parts of the plan though. You should try to get some sleep now; I'll wake you once the storm is- "
Thunder had been rumbling intermittently throughout their stay in the cave, so Ash almost dismissed the loud sound that disrupted the conversation. But half a second later he realized it wasn't thunder, it wasn't a deep rumble that passed through everything. It was a continuous crashing sound.
"They're here!" Ash and Misty shouted at the same time.
"This way," Misty said, grabbing her things, and releasing Starmie. Ash grabbed his backpack and followed. Misty led him and his pokémon through a few twists and turns in the cave and then to a crumbling rock wall. The crashing noise was getting closer the whole time.
"Water Gun!" Misty ordered, pointing to what appeared to Ash to be a random spot on the wall. A jet of water drilled into the wall and cracks began to spread.
"Staryu!" Misty shouted, releasing said pokémon, "Help out!" Another blast of water shattered the weakened wall and the way was clear.
"This way," Misty said, urging Ash to follow. The two of them and their pokémon ran back out into the storm. Lightning cracked, thunder rumbled, and something roared by the cave entrance.
"Freeze that hole shut!" Misty ordered once everyone was clear of the cave. Ice Beams from Staryu and Starmie whipped through the air, covering the hole they had blown in the rock in ice.
"Come on," Misty said and they were moving again. Misty led the way. They kept their pace to a jog and Ash noticed that Misty was favoring her unbandaged leg, wincing whenever she put too much weight on the other leg.
A cacophony of smashing and crashing rocks sounded out behind them. A roar followed. Misty came to a halt.
"We're going to have to fight," Misty said, expression grim. "Just try to slow them down. Aim for their legs if you can. Run when you see an opportunity. "
"Right," Ash nodded. "I'll take any electric or grass types they brought. Pidgeotto, hide in a tree, Quick Attack when you see an opportunity. Pikachu, in front. Metapod, be ready to String Shot."
"Spread out," Misty added, limping several feet to the side. "Staryu, Starmie, make it slippery for our guests." Ice beams shot out and ice covered the ground, the sound of the rain changing from the soft tapping and splashing of water on soft earth and puddles, to the harsher beat of water on ice.
And then it came out of the forest. It was a large pokémon, monstrously so. Green with black markings and a steely underbelly. Bipedal and lizard like, with a mane of green spikes extending down its back. The tyranitar towered over the two young humans as it charged, snapping fully grown trees out of its way as if they were saplings.
"Water Gun!" Misty ordered even as Ash cried "Thunderbolt!" A pressurized stream of water jetted out from Staryu and Starmie. At the same time Pikachu lit up the night with crackling, buzzing, electric power, staining everything with a yellow light.
"Dark Armor!" A female voice cried out from somewhere behind the tyranitar. Dark power surged out of the tyranitar's body, the beginnings of a Dark Pulse attack. But instead of blasting out, the dark power solidified nearby, cocooning the tyranitar in dark flames. The attacks from Ash and Misty's pokémon splashed against the dark power and dissipated harmlessly.
"Well, crap," Misty muttered. "Ice Wall!" At her command Staryu and Starmie used Ice Beam to erect a wall of ice, keeping the beams on the ice to thicken the wall even after it was erected. At the same time wet leaves rustled as Pidgeotto shot out from her hiding place, slamming into something in the skies above.
It's a golbat! Pidgeotto shouted as the two humans looked up. Ash's flying type was locked in swirling, swooping, fluttering aerial combat with a large dark shape. And I think I see another pokémon on our left!
"Pikachu Thundershock everything on our left! Pidgeotto, keep that thing busy!" Ash shouted, turning to where Pidgeotto had warned him. Tendrils of electric power lashed out like seeking tentacles into the rain soaked dark forest. In the light of Pikachu's attack Ash saw a bipedal yellow pokémon with black, lightning shaped markings, two antennae, and two spikes of hair forming a sharp v on the front of its head, an electabuzz.
"Misty, I've got to fight a electabuzz," Ash shouted, taking off towards the new enemy, Metapod in his hands. "Pikachu, Thunder Wave!"
"I'll try and stop the big one then," Misty shouted back.
Ice shattered and the tyranitar's fist burst through the wall. Misty turned her attention to her battle.
AN: I'd like to thank BlackCatSpecialist92G10 for beta reading.
Some quick notes on things that I will explore in more depth in the story later, but some of you might find handy in the next chapter.
Remember how certain NPC trainers had fully evolved pokémon who should have been too low a level to evolve? From a doylist perspective it was for the purpose of game balance, but what about watsonian? What could the explanation be there?
In Symbiotic I'm going with the relatively common idea found on the internet, that being a type specialist gets you special perks, like being able to evolve pokémon early. And then let's take that further. What if you only specialized in a single pokémon? What advantages would that bring? Even earlier evolution? Faster leveling?
Another note, levels won't be a thing in universe, but I might use them to help describe some things from an out of universe perspective.
This is a roundabout way of warning you that things in this story might not make sense from a strictly game perspective in terms of strength and moves known, but there is a method to my madness.
Anyway, don't forget to review.
Minor edits as of 6/10/2020
:AN