Chapter 1
*ahem*
Yee
Jk... This is a story request from Mysteryfan17, they've been waiting for some time, so here's the first chapter! As always, I'll update it when I can.
Enjoy!
I DO NOT OWN POKEMON, OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS.
(reuploaded to add that ^^^)
Ash tip-toed softly through the house as he made his way into the kitchen. It wasn't too early, but Professor Kukui and Burnet were sleeping in later than usual; which left most of the morning to Ash and his pokemon. They must've been up late last night, Ash thought. Pouring food for his loyal partners, Ash pondered on what to do for the day.
"Hmm, I wonder if it's too early to go see Kiawe... Maybe we can train today?" He thought aloud, putting away the pokemon food and making a bowl of cereal. "What do you think, Pikachu?"
"Pika...?" Pikachu simply tilted his head, twitched an ear, then continued to eat.
"Heh, I guess you're too hungry to decide," Ash sighed. "Oh well, there's always something to do here in Alola. We can just go out to explore the forest- Ooh! Or, better yet, we can look for Tapu Koko! It might even battle with us!"
"Pika Pi-ka!" Pikachu beamed, far more than thrilled with the idea of battling Tapu Koko. It was always a worthy opponent.
"Alright, that settles it. Today we're gonna to look for Tapu Koko!"
After finishing their breakfast, Ash and his team of pokemon set off to find Melemele's guardian deity. They searched every forest, cave, and beach where they'd ever seen Tapu Koko. And, once he finally recalled the place they first met, Ash rushed to find the highest viewpoint in the heart of Hau'oli City.
He, Pikachu, Torracat, Lycanroc, and even Rowlet, all tried their hardest to locate Tapu Koko, but the pokemon was nowhere to be seen. It almost seemed like it left the island entirely.
Weary of their search, but not ready to give up, Ash finally tried summoning the deity from where they stood. It was clear that just looking for Tapu Koko wasn't enough, so maybe calling for it would help? What did they have to lose?
"Tapu Koko!" Ash called out to the heavens through cupped hands. He earned questioning looks from civilians who passed by, but continued on. "Where are you? We'd like to battle you!"
"PIKA-PIKA!" Pikachu shouted as loudly as he could. Ash was glad Pikachu and the others wanted to battle just as much as he did. Barks, yowls, and skwalks filled the air as they all chimed in to help summon it.
"TAPU KOKO! Come-out, come-out wherever you are~! TA-PU KO-"
"Oi-! Shut up, will ya?!" A voice rang from below, silencing the group. They sounded pretty annoyed.
"Huh? Sorry, we were-!" Ash looked down to find none other than Team Skull members Tupp, Rapp, and Zipp. The three were loitering behind a building below. To him, it looked like they had been stalking the area for unsuspecting trainers."Woah, it's Team Skull!" He gasped.
"No way-" Tupp began with a gasp of his own, eyes wide with realization. "It's that bratty kid with the Pikachu!"
"Oh yeah! Now's our chance to nab it for Big Sis," said Zipp.
"If not for Big Sis, then for me!" Rapp added as she readied a pokeball. "Let's get 'em!"
"Uh oh, everyone return!" Ash quickly recalled his pokemon into their own pokeballs, all except his small yellow companion, then turned heel to run. "Let's go, Pikachu!" He figured they could get away safely without having to battle. There were plenty of people in the city, so they just had to lose them.
He quickly rounded a corner, gesturing for Pikachu to climb upon his shoulders. Once Pikachu was secure, Ash sped past a group of individuals on the sidewalk then made his way downstairs. Since they had been on a balcony, Team Skull was no doubt waiting for them somewhere at the bottom. They had to act fast.
Ash caught sight of the three just where he had suspected. Thinking quickly, he moved to jump the railing and ran into a nearby alleyway. "We need somewhere to hide, Pikachu." He huffed, looking back to find Tupp, Rapp, and Zipp on their tails. "-And, fast! Any ideas?"
Pikachu looked around, but was unable to find any suitable spots that would hide the both of them. "Pika pika..."
"Don't worry, buddy. We'll find a- whoa!" Ash skidded to a halt, harshly colliding into a Garbodor. No doubt it belonged to Zipp. "Uh oh," Ash frowned, soon realizing that they were trapped. "Guess we have no choice... Ready Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
The Team Skull trio caught up soon after and came battle ready with Tupp and Rapp's pokemon, making it three-on-one. "Hand over the Pikachu, kid." Tupp sneered under his bandana, "We'll take good care of it."
Zipp chuckled, "Yeah, a pokemon that powerful will make a great addition to Team Skull!"
"No way!" Ash stood firm. "I won't let you take Pikachu!"
"Wanna do this the hard way, huh?" Rapp spoke threateningly, placing a hand on her hip. "Let's see how well you fare against someone twice your size. Do it, Zipp!"
"Garbodor, grab 'em!" Zipp commanded the giant trash pokemon, who did just that.
Before Ash knew it, he was trapped in its grasp.
Pikachu managed to jump away just in time, unintentionally leaving Ash alone within Garbodor's hold. "Pika Pi!"
"I-It's okay Pikachu!" Ash did his best to reassure him. It didn't feel like Garbodor was trying to hurt him. It only held tightly enough to restrain him, so Ash figured he would be fine. They just needed a way out of there. "Use Iron Tail on Garbodor!"
"Pika Pi-ka!" Pikachu gave a nod of affirmation as his tail gleamed and gained a metallic coating.
"Oh, no you don't!" Tupp intercepted, suddenly ordering his Salandit to use Flame Burst. Pikachu was able to dodge the attack and backed away to create some distance between him and the sly lizard pokemon. Tupp growled in annoyance, "Just be still, will ya? Again, Salandit! Flame Burst!"
"Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Pikachu scarcely managed to avoid the second attack as well, then rushed toward the opposing Saladit and slammed into its body with full force. "Nice job, Pikachu!"
"Pika-pika!"
"Don't get cocky, twerp!" Rapp snapped. "Zubat, use Toxic!"
Pikachu had no time to react as he was knocked back by a thick purple sludge. Once Ash saw small bubbles emitting from his partner, he knew Pikachu had been badly poisoned. All Ash could do was watch helplessly as Pikachu forced himself to stand and continue their battle.
"You okay, Pikachu?" He called, earning a nod from the small yellow pokemon. "Alright, use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu then unleashed the strongest Thunderbolt he could muster, landing a direct hit on both the offending Salandit and Zubat. The two pokemon were left reeling from the attack, but it wasn't over yet.
Almost immediately after, Tupp and Rapp commanded their two pokemon to use Venoshock. They didn't attack together, however.
"Watchout Pikachu!" Ash warned.
Pikachu instantly jumped up out of harm's way, then moved aside mid-air to avoid the second attack; But, what Ash and Pikachu hadn't realized was the path of the second beam. It headed straight for Ash and Garbodor, but more specifically Ash.
Before he knew it, Ash was drenched with a stream of purple liquid that stung on contact and left his body feeling heavy with a static, almost electrifying haze. Garbodor was hit as well, but remained somewhat unaffected. It hurt enough for Ash to collapse, but he managed to pull together and find an opening to attack.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack to get behind Salandit and Zubat!"
"Like that's gonna work!" Zipp scoffed. "Can't you see that it's over?"
"Yeah, just give up already!" Rapp laughed, "We-"
Pikachu obeyed without question, doing just as he was asked. Even with the poison wearing him down, Pikachu found himself feeling more powerful than ever once he heard the confidence in Ash's voice.
"Woah, was it that fast before?!" Tupp yelped. "Salandit, quick-Get out of there!"
It was too late. Pikachu made it, and Ash was ready with the next move.
"Now, get them together and use Iron Tail towards Garbodor!"
Leaving no room for Salandit or Zubat to react, Pikachu headbutted the sly lizard pokemon into Zubat then proceeded to use Iron Tail and sent them hurtling towards Garbodor. Ash ducked just in time as his captor was hit head-on by the two and fell back with a loud 'thud.' And with that, all three of Team Skulls Pokemon were out cold.
Ash stood to dust himself off, then turned to face Tupp, Rapp, and Zipp. They flinched away, expecting to be hit with Pikachu's legendary thunderbolt, but it never came.
"L-Let's get outta here!" Rapp squeaked. Tupp and Zipp agreed before they all recalled their pokemon then ran away.
Once they were out of sight, Ash breathed an exasperated sigh of relief, flopping to the ground. His body felt heavy, and it shook with static. He soon realized he was still under the effects of Venoshock, but wasn't sure what to do. Ash had been poisoned before, however this was a whole new experience.
"...Pika?" Pikachu crawled over to rest with him, weary from his own poison status; But, he enjoyed the way Ash pet him gently when he nuzzled up to the boy. "Chu..."
"Good job out there, buddy." Ash lifted his tired companion from the ground, then stood on shaking feet. "Let's get to the Pokemon Center. It isn't too far, so just hang on, okay?" This he said more to himself than Pikachu.
On their way to the Pokemon Center, Ash and Pikachu were observed by each individual they happened to pass. A few people even stopped them to ask if they were alright, which of course they weren't, but Ash simply told them where they were going and continued on.
Finally making it there, Ash stumbled through the doors of the facility and nearly collapsed before reaching the counter. Nurse Joy took notice and rushed to his aid immediately.
"My goodness," she exclaimed, looking worriedly from Ash to Pikachu. The boy's clothes were dusty and dirty, and his arms had slight bruising on each. Pikachu looked just as bad, if not worse. "A-are you both alright?"
A pitiful groan was the only answer Ash could muster before allowing himself to sink to the floor.
"Oh my," Nurse Joy gasped. "Blissey, we need a stretcher over here immediately!"
Sorry about the cliffhanger, especially after being inactive for so long. Please let me know what you guys think!