Chapter 12: Grounded
With a new Pokémon comes a learning period, which is what Ash and Nikki were experiencing at the moment. The two of them were standing at opposite ends of a large field near the base of a cliff, ready to engage in a practice battle. Ash was using his newly-evolved Quilava while Nikki used her newly-caught Swablu.
"You ready, Nikki?" Ash called.
"Just a sec. Let me check out Swablu's moves," Nikki said. She took out her Pokédex and scanned the Cotton Bird Pokémon.
Swablu's known moves are: Dragon Pulse, Sing and Featherdance.
"Featherdance? I didn't know you knew that move," Nikki commented.
"(Believe me, it comes in handy,)" Swablu said.
"I bet it does," Nikki agreed. "Okay, we're ready! Go ahead and make the first move, Ash!"
"Alright! Quilava, Flamethrower!" Ash instructed. The Volcano Pokémon took a deep breath and spewed a red-hot flame towards Swablu.
"Block it with Dragon Pulse!" Nikki instructed. Swablu fired her Dragon Pulse at the Flamethrower, the two attacks colliding and exploding in a fiery blast.
"Now fly through with Featherdance!" Nikki shouted.
"(Okay!)" Swablu complied. She flew towards the remains of the Flamethrower/Dragon Pulse explosion, her wings giving off a golden glow from the shining Featherdance particles. Then, as she flew through the explosion remains she began to spin in the air. The spinning motion caused her to collect the floating embers, mixing them with the Featherdance to create a spectacle of glittering flames.
"(Pretty,)" Buneary gasped.
"Nice combination," Ash praised.
"Thanks," Nikki replied.
"But don't think we're done yet! Use Smokescreen!" Ash shouted. Quilava took another deep breath, but this time spewed a thick smoke cloud from his mouth, covering the area in smoke and obscuring the views of Ash and Nikki.
"Oh no! I can't see anything!" Nikki panicked.
"That's it, Quilava! Now use…" Frantic cries from within the smoke could interrupted Ash's next command.
"Quilava, what's wrong?" Ash called.
"Swablu? Are you okay?" Nikki shouted. With the Smokescreen still covering the area they couldn't see what was going on. Fortunately Ash knew how to fix that.
"Pidgeot, come out and blow this smoke away!" Ash shouted, tossing his Poké Ball out. The Bird Pokémon appeared and immediately flapped his massive wings, easily blowing the Smokescreen away. What was revealed was Quilava and Swablu in the clutches of a massive Meowth-shaped tank, and piloting it was none other than Team Rocket.
"You three! What are you doing here?" Ash demanded.
"What we do best: steal your Pokémon," Jessie replied.
"With that Smokescreen your Quilava put up it was the perfect opportunity for us to swoop in and snatch up your Pokémon," James explained.
"And now that we have them it's time for us to make our getaway!" Meowth concluded.
"Not if we can help it! Pidgeot, Wing Attack!" Ash instructed.
"Buneary, Hidden Power!" Nikki shouted. Pidgeot hit one hand with Wing Attack while Buneary blasted the other with her Hidden Power, freeing the two trapped Pokémon.
"Hey! We're still making payments on this thing!" Jessie shrieked.
"Among other things," James added.
"At this rate I'll be in debt for the rest of my nine lives!" Meowth complained.
"Let's send them on their way! Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Quilava, Flamethrower!" Ash shouted.
"Buneary, Hidden Power! Swablu, Dragon Pulse!" Nikki instructed. The four attacks were launched and struck the tank, making it explode almost instantly.
"Wah! Not again!" Jessie cried.
"Another destroyed robot means we're that much further in debt!" Meowth grumbled.
"Whoever said crime doesn't pay must have been talking about us!" James griped.
"We're blasting off again!" they screamed as they vanished. Down below Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon didn't have time to celebrate, for shortly after destroying Team Rocket's latest robot the ground began to shake.
"W-What's h-happening?" Nikki screamed.
"I-I d-don't k-know!" Ash stuttered. The two of them and their Pokémon tried to remain on their feet, but that was proving to be easier said than done. Moments later Nikki fell, unable to remain standing.
"N-Nikki!" Ash shouted. He and Pikachu made their way to her side, but just as they reached her the ground gave way beneath them, plunging them and their Pokémon into the dark underground. As they fell Ash positioned himself underneath Nikki so when they finally hit the ground he could cushion her fall.
"What are you doing?" she yelled.
"Making sure you don't get hurt when we hit the ground!" Ash answered. Before Nikki could argue his point they saw the ground quickly approaching. As Ash braced himself a strong gust of wind slowed his fall enough to where he, Nikki and their Pokémon could land safely.
"Is everyone okay?" Ash asked once they regained their bearings.
"We're fine," Nikki replied. "Where did that wind gust come from?"
"(I think I know,)" Buneary spoke up. She pointed above them where Pidgeot and Swablu were flying down towards them.
"Did you two create that wind gust?" Nikki wondered.
"(Yes. We saw all of you falling and knew it was up to us to make sure no one was hurt,)" Pidgeot explained.
"Well thank you. Because of you we're all okay," Nikki said.
"Yeah, thanks," Ash added.
"(We're just glad everyone's safe,)" Swablu said.
"Yeah, but with us underground I think it'll be better if you two returned to your Poké Balls," Ash suggested.
"(Agreed. Being underground limits our usefulness,)" Pidgeot concurred. Ash and Nikki returned their two Flying types, leaving them with Buneary, Pikachu and Quilava.
"Okay, so which way do we go?" Nikki inquired.
"Good question. It's so dark I can barely see my hand in front of my face," Ash admitted. "You wouldn't happen to have a flashlight, would you?"
Let me check." Using what little light they had Nikki rummaged around in her backpack, hoping that she had remembered to pack a flashlight.
"Please tell me I packed one before I left… aha! Found it!" She took out her flashlight and turned it on, illuminating the cave they had fallen into.
"Alright! Now we'll be able to find our way out of here!" Ash cheered.
"Right!" Nikki agreed.
"Come on. Let's start searching," Ash said.
"Would you three mind taking point here in case we run into trouble?" Nikki politely asked. Pikachu saluted before he, Buneary and Quilava took their positions in front of their trainers. With their Pokémon in position the group continued on deeper into the cavern on their search for a way out.
Half an hour passed without the group making much headway in terms of finding an exit. While Ash remained optimistic Nikki was growing worried.
"Are we even sure we're going the right way? What if we're just getting ourselves more and more lost?" she worried.
"Don't worry. As long as we stay together we'll be alright," Ash assured her.
"I'd like to believe that, but…" Before she could speak any further Ash placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We'll make it out of here okay," he told her.
"Do… Do you promise?" Nikki asked.
"You have my word," Ash replied. A wave of relief washed over Nikki when Ash told her they'd be okay, but immediately following that the flashlight Nikki was carrying stared to flicker and die out.
"No, no no! Not now!" she shrieked.
"Quick! Do you have any batteries?" Ash asked.
"I think so, but without any light I can't look through my backpack!" Nikki panicked. Just as the last of the flashlight's power ran out Quilava's back flared up, lighting the cave around them.
"Alright! Good thinking, Quilava!" Ash praised.
"(Just doing what I can,)" the Volcano Pokémon replied.
"With this much light we won't need the flashlight," Nikki commented.
"Maybe, but I think you should find some fresh batteries anyway. We don't know how long Quilava can keep this up," Ash explained. Realizing he was right Nikki searched her backpack and quickly found some more batteries for the flashlight. She quickly replaced them.
"There. Now if Quilava ever needs a break we can use this again," she announced.
"You hear that, Quilava? If you need a break just let us know," Ash said.
"(Okay,)" he answered. With their path safely illuminated the group continued on their way. They had barely walked ten steps before the sounds of a battle rang in their ears.
"Who in their right mind would be battling down here?" Nikki questioned.
"I don't know, but if they don't stop this whole cave could come down on top of us!" Ash pointed out.
"In that case let's find them and make them stop!" Nikki suggested. The group ran towards the sounds of battle, hoping they could reach the battling parties before the cave collapsed. When they arrived they didn't see two battling trainers, but two battling Pokémon.
"What's going on?" Nikki shouted.
"That's an Onix and a Rhydon!" Ash exclaimed. Curious to know more about the two Pokémon Nikki took out her Pokédex and scanned them.
Onix, the Rock Snake Pokémon. It rapidly bores through the ground at 50 mph by squirming and twisting its massive, rugged body.
Rhydon, the Drill Pokémon and the evolved form of Rhyhorn. Its rugged hide protects it from even the heat of lava. However, the hide also makes it insensitive.
As the group looked on it became clear who the aggressor was in this conflict. For the most part it appeared as though the Onix was trying to get away, but every time he made a move the Rhydon attacked.
"That Rhydon won't leave that Onix alone! We have to do something!" Nikki shouted.
"Way ahead of you!" Ash replied. He already had a Poké Ball in hand and was throwing it out.
"Bayleef, help us out here!" Seconds later the Leaf Pokémon appeared and awaited her instructions.
"Use Razor Leaf on that Rhydon!" Ash instructed. Making sure not to accidentally hit the Onix Bayleef swung her head leaf forward and launched a Razor Leaf volley at the Rhydon. The attack made solid contact, but to their surprise did little more than get his attention.
"This isn't good! All that did was make him angry!" Nikki shrieked.
"His defenses are a lot higher than I thought," Ash observed. While he tried to come up with a new battle strategy the Rhydon charged towards Bayleef, his horn pointed right at her.
"Quick, jump over and slam him with your Vine Whip!" Ash shouted.
"(You got it!)" she complied. Right before the Rhydon reached her Bayleef used her vines to jump over him. Then, as he passed beneath her, she wrapped her vines around his horn. As she landed behind him she pulled, causing him to fall over backwards.
"Nice moves, Bayleef!" Nikki praised. During this Onix looked on confused. He had no idea who these people were or why they were helping him. That didn't mean he didn't appreciate their help, though.
"Follow up with Body Slam!" Ash instructed. Using her vines to jump Bayleef hurled herself into the air, preparing to drop her entire body weight onto the downed Rhydon. Before she could land her attack the Rhydon surprisingly rolled out of the way and slammed her with its tail.
"No, Bayleef!" Ash shouted. He could only watch helplessly as his Pokémon was sent hurtling through the air towards the cave wall. Right before she hit the Onix used his tail to catch her.
"(Are… you okay?)" the Onix growled.
"(Y-Yes… thank you,)" Bayleef replied.
"Look out!" Ash warned. Looking up Bayleef and Onix saw the Rhydon charging, his drill spinning rapidly.
"He's trying to use Horn Drill!" Nikki shouted. Sensing that the Rhydon's target was Bayleef Onix tackled her out of the way, taking the brunt of the attack himself. He let out a roar of pain as the Rhydon's horn scraped against his rocky carapace, severely cracking his hide.
"No!" Nikki cried.
"Stop him with Razor Leaf!" Ash shouted. As quickly as she could Bayleef fired another Razor Leaf volley at the Rhydon. This time the attack caused some damage, enough to make him stop his attack on the Onix. Then, as extra insurance, the Onix slammed the Rhydon with his tail, sending him into the opposite wall. At this point the Drill Pokémon realized he was outmatched and beat a hasty retreat.
"Alright! We drove him off!" Ash cheered. The cheers quickly came to an end when the Onix collapsed, pain etched on his face.
"No, Onix!" Nikki shouted. The trainers and their Pokémon ran to the Rock Snake Pokémon's side. It was then they saw the damage the Rhydon's Horn Drill had done.
"That looks bad. We need to tend to that fast," Ash said.
"I've got some first-aid equipment in my backpack," Nikki announced.
"That's great. Quilava, give her some light," Ash said.
"(I'm on it,)" the Volcano Pokémon replied. With Quilava providing the light Nikki quickly found her first-aid kit.
"Okay, time to get to work," she stated. As she rummaged around in her kit the Onix managed to keep one eye partially open, watching as these two trainers tended to his injuries. Nikki had applied some disinfectant to a rag and was getting ready to apply it to Onix's wound.
"Okay. This may sting a little, but it'll only last a moment," she warned, not sure if the Onix had heard her. He had, in fact, heard her and prepared for the sting. When she pressed the rag against his wound Onix flinched slightly. It did sting, but as Nikki said it only lasted a moment.
"Okay, now let's get a bandage on this," she said. She took out a long roll of bandages.
"Let's hope I have enough here," she commented. In order to properly wrap up his wound they needed to lift Onix partially off the ground. Thankfully Bayleef was up to the task. She managed to hold the injured part of his body in the air while Ash and Nikki properly bandaged him up.
"Okay, that should do it. You can set him down now, Bayleef," Nikki said. The Leaf Pokémon gently set him back down. As soon as everyone backed away the Onix rose up and examined his now bandaged wound.
"You'll be all better in no time," Ash announced. The next thing Ash knew the Onix has his tail wrapped around him and had lifted him into the air.
"Ah, Ash!" Nikki shouted. Right when the other Pokémon were going to launch their attacks they stopped. Instead of an attack the Onix was rubbing his head against Ash affectionately.
"(Oh, thank you! I was trying to get away from that Rhydon for the longest when you arrived!)" he bellowed.
"Umm… you're welcome," Ash replied.
"(Is there anything I can do to repay you? Anything at all?)" he wondered.
"Well… you can start by putting me down," Ash suggested. Realizing he was still holding him the Onix set Ash back down.
"(Is there anything else you need?)" he wondered.
"Well, now that you mention it we are kinda lost," Ash said.
"You see, we fell down here from above and were trying to find our way out when we ran into you and that Rhydon," Nikki explained.
"(Oh. In that case I'd be more than glad to show you the way out,)" the Onix offered.
"That's what we were hoping you'd say. Thank you," Nikki said.
"(Follow me.)" With the massive Rock Snake Pokémon leading the way the group continued on, finally making headway on their way out.
With Onix leading the way Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon were feeling optimistic about their chances of getting out. During this time the Onix decided to find out the answer to a question that had been on his mind.
"(Why did you help me back there? I'm just a wild Pokémon, without a trainer, and yet you stepped in and helped me drive off that Rhydon. Why?)" he questioned.
"Wild or not, I couldn't just stand there and let that Rhydon attack you like that. I guess you could say it's against my nature," Ash explained.
"(Ash never turns his back on someone in need whether they're human or Pokémon,)" Pikachu added. The Onix listened to what they said, surprised by what he heard.
"(Such a kind and caring soul. You don't see many trainers like that around here,)" Onix commented.
"No, you don't," Nikki agreed. As they continued the cave started to grow a bit brighter.
"We must be getting close to the exit! Come on!" Ash urged. They picked up the pace, the cave growing brighter with each step they took. Pretty soon they saw an opening ahead of them.
"We're almost out!" Nikki cheered. They group pushed themselves harder, eager to get out as quickly as possible. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, they emerged into the sun's warmth.
"Finally!" Nikki cheered, stretching her body. "Thanks for showing us the way out, Onix."
"Yeah, we couldn't have gotten out without your help," Ash added. Onix was beaming with pride at all the thanks he was receiving. Then, without warning, metal clamps dropped from above and grabbed Pikachu, Buneary, Quilava and Bayleef.
"Ah, Buneary!" Nikki cried.
"What's going on?" Ash demanded.
"Out of the sky, falling with grace.
A spark in the eye, arriving with haste.
Ready and willing to put twerps in their place.
Jessie!
James!
Meowth's the name!
Team Rocket, burning a trail!
Blazing a path!
Kickin' some tail!
Wobbu Wobbuffet!
Mime Mime Mime Mime!"
"Not you three again!" Nikki groaned, glaring up at Team Rocket's balloon. The metal claws that grabbed their Pokémon were all connected to the bottom of the balloon basket.
"Why, you almost sound like you don't want us around," Jessie whined, feigning hurt feelings.
"We don't! Now let our Pokémon go!" Nikki demanded.
"I don't see that happening," James declared.
"You may have beat us once today, but it won't happen again!" Meowth declared.
"That's what you think! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted.
"(One Thunderbolt coming right up!)" Pikachu replied. His cheeks began to spark as he built up electricity. Then, once enough power had been gathered he unleashed his attack, but instead of electrocuting Team Rocket the attack traveled through the metal arm and instead hit his companions.
"Pikachu, stop!" Ash shouted. The Mouse Pokémon stopped his attack, but by then the damage had already been done.
"Hahaha, we really outdid ourselves this time!" Meowth boasted.
"If Pikachu launches any kind of electric attack it will hit the other Pokémon instead of us," Jessie said.
"So if you want to keep them safe you'll call off that little walking battery," James suggested. Ash growled in annoyance. His hands were tied. He knew they had to try and free the Pokémon, but with this new fail-safe Team Rocket implemented that would be easier said than done.
"No sweat, Ash! If Pikachu can't do it then our other Pokémon will!" Nikki shouted. She went to grab a Poké Ball when Onix suddenly sprang into action, biting onto the balloon basket and pulling it down towards the ground.
"Someone get this rock head to let go!" Jessie demanded. James immediately grabbed a Poké Ball.
"Carnivine, time to go to work!" he shouted. His Pokémon appeared moments later only to turn around and clamp onto his head.
"When I said go to work I didn't mean on my head!" James cried. He dislodged the over-affectionate Pokémon from his head and sent him back into battle.
"Use Bullet Seed!" he commanded. The Bug Catcher Pokémon opened his mouth and sprayed Onix with his Bullet Seed. The massive Pokémon grunted in pain as he endured the attack.
"We have to do something!" Nikki shouted.
"Already on it! Gible, I choose you!" The Land Shark Pokémon erupted from his Poké Ball, ready for battle.
"Use Rock Smash!" Ash instructed. Gible took a running start and charged forward, running up Onix's back in order to reach the attacking Carnivine. Once he got high enough he leapt into the air and delivered an uppercut to the Bug Catcher Pokémon with his Rock Smash.
"Don't take that, Carnivine! Counter with Vine Whip!" James shouted. Carnivine quickly regained his composure and sent two vines out from his body. The vines wrapped tightly around Gible, getting a grunt out of the small Pokémon. Carnivine then threw Gible down to the ground.
"No, Gible!" Ash shouted.
"Now finish up with Bite!" James ordered. His Pokémon dove down, his mouth wide open.
"Move, Gible! Hurry!" Ash shouted. Unfortunately Gible was still a bit dazed by Carnivine's last attack.
"He won't be able to move in time!" Nikki shouted. Just when it looked like Carnivine would take a huge bite out of Gible he was blocked when Onix lifted his tail into the air. It then began to glow white right before being slammed directly into Carnivine, sending him hurtling back into the basket of Team Rocket's balloon.
"Whoa! Onix just used Iron Tail!" Nikki commented. By now Gible had recovered and was ready for more action.
"Okay, Gible! Go free Pikachu and the others!" Ash instructed.
"(And I know just how to do that!)" he commented. He ran up Onix's back once again, this time jumping off onto one of the claw arms.
"(Lunch time!)" he roared. He then proceeded to devour the metal arms until there was nothing left. With the arms gone the claws themselves fell apart, freeing the captive Pokémon.
"Hey! You can't do that!" Jessie shrieked.
"Umm… he just did," Meowth groaned.
"Okay, now send them on their way with Draco Meteor!" Ash shouted. As soon as Ash called his attack Onix released the balloon and backed away. Gible then opened his mouth and fired an orange orb. The orb flew into the air above the balloon and exploded into multiple, smaller orbs. The orbs rained down on Team Rocket's balloon, one of them making solid contact. The balloon exploded instantly, sending team Rocket flying.
"Twice in one day? This isn't fair!" Jessie cried.
"That's life for you," James groaned.
"I want someone else's!" Meowth whined.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they screamed.
"Is everyone alright?" Ash asked.
"(We're all fine,)" Pikachu reported.
"How about you, Buneary?" Nikki wondered.
"(I'm fine too,)" The Rabbit Pokémon told her.
"What a relief," Nikki sighed. With everyone doing okay Ash turned to the exhausted Gible.
"Gible, you were awesome out there," he praised.
"(T-Thanks,)" Gible replied. "(If you don't mind… I could use a rest.)"
"Sure. After that performance you deserve it." Ash returned him along with Quilava and Bayleef.
"And you, Onix. We couldn't have gotten them back without your help," Ash said.
"Yeah. Thanks," Nikki added.
"(I wasn't going to let those crooks get away with your Pokémon, especially not after you helped me,)" Onix replied.
"Speaking of our Pokémon, how would you like to come along with us?" Ash offered. Onix's eyes went wide.
"(D… Do you mean it?)" he questioned, hoping he wasn't hearing things.
"Sure do. I'd love to have you join our family," Ash said. "So, what do you say?" He got his answer when Onix wrapped his tail around him in a hug and lifted him off the ground once again.
"(Of course I want to come! Oh, you have no idea how happy this makes me!)" he cried.
"Great… but could you please put me down," Ash pleaded. Still overcome with emotion Onix placed Ash back down on the ground. Once he was back on the ground Ash grabbed a Poké Ball.
"Welcome to the family, Onix." Ash tossed the Poké Ball and watched it bounce off of Onix's head. He was then drawn inside. The ball never shook as the light flashed three times before going out, signaling that the capture was complete.
"Alright! I just caught an Onix!" Ash cheered.
"(Oh yeah!)" Pikachu added.
"Congratulations, Ash. That's your first Pokémon from the Legenda Region," Nikki commented.
"The first, but certainly not the last," Ash added. "And now, on to Lunick Town!" After their underground adventure the group was finally on their way to Lunick Town, complete with a new addition to their family.
Their brief underground adventure ended with Ash adding a new Pokémon to the family. Now with Onix onboard they head to Lunick Town. Will Ash be prepared for the Gym battle that awaits him there? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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