Chapter 31: Blasts from the Past
Since leaving Treetop Town Ash and Nikki had been making good progress. Thanks to Fiona, the Treetop Town Gym Leader, they had an idea on where the Area Boss was. With that knowledge they traveled north.
"I wonder what the Area Boss is like," Ash said.
"Fiona did say he was studying so ruins, so maybe he's an archeologist," Nikki commented.
"An arche-what?" Ash asked.
"Archeologist. It's someone who studies old ruins for a living," Nikki explained. "As much traveling as you've done I would have thought you would have met one or two archeologists."
"I have. I just didn't know that's what they were called," Ash replied. Nikki shook her head in amazement.
"Do you pay attention to anything besides Pokémon?" she asked.
"(Not really,)" Pikachu answered.
"Hey! I do sometimes!" Ash argued.
"(Not that often,)" Pikachu replied. "(But then again that's what makes you, you.)" Unbeknownst to them Team Rocket was ahead of them, preparing to carry out their latest scheme.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Meowth questioned.
"Of course it's going to work! Why wouldn't it?" Jessie replied.
"I don't know. I just have my doubts," Meowth commented.
"Then maybe you should have voiced those doubts before we got started," Jessie said.
"It sounded good at first, but not so much now," Meowth argued.
"Nothing's changed between then and now, so let's just…"
"Would you two keep it down! I can see the twerps!" James announced. As Ash and Nikki approached the devious trio got into position.
"So what kind of strategy are you going to use for the Area Boss?" Nikki asked.
"Well, based on what you told me I'll have to wait and see what kind of battle I'll be in for," Ash replied. "Regardless of that, though, that first Crest is as good as mi-IINE!" In the middle of his speech he and Nikki fell into a pit.
"(Are you okay, Nikki?)" Buneary wondered.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Nikki replied. "That didn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it would have."
"That's because you landed on me," Ash groaned. Looking down Nikki saw she had indeed landed on Ash. She quickly got off him and helped him to his feet. Shortly after that two metal arms reached down and grabbed Pikachu and Buneary.
"(Hey!)" Pikachu yelped.
"(Let go!)" Buneary screamed.
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted.
"Buneary!" Nikki screamed. "Who would do something like this?" Then, as if on cue, mischievous laughter filled the air.
"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!"
"Team Rocket!" Ash gasped.
"Not you guys again?" Nikki groaned. "Can't you go bother someone else?"
"Not until we get what we want, and what we want is your Pokémon!" Jessie declared.
"And from the looks of things I'd say we're closing in on that very thing," James added. The trio had both Pikachu and Buneary confined in a small cage.
"(I think a Thunderbolt will change your mind!)" Pikachu declared, cheeks sparking.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Meowth warned. "That cage is designed to take anything you throw at it and turn it back on you and your long-eared friend there, meaning that if you try to break free with a Thunderbolt you and Buneary will both be getting the 'shock' of your lives." Buneary knew full well how powerful Pikachu's Thunderbolt was, and had seen repeatedly what it could do to Team Rocket. She also knew she didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.
"(Pikachu, please don't,)" she pleaded. Though Pikachu wanted nothing more than to blast them with his strongest Thunderbolt he knew Buneary would end up getting hurt in the process, so he reluctantly powered down his attack.
"That's right, Pikachu. Your little electrified paws are tied," Jessie gloated.
"Maybe Pikachu can't do anything, but our other Pokémon can!" Ash declared. He grabbed one of his Poké Balls and prepared to call on some help when Meowth introduced one of Team Rocket's newest gadgets. At first glance it looked like nothing more than a large magnet, but Ash and Nikki knew better.
"I think I'll take that Poké Ball off your hands, and while I'm at it I'll take the rest of them as well!" With a flip of a switch Meowth activated the magnet. Not only did it snatch the Poké Ball from Ash's hand but it also took the rest of Ash and Nikki's Poké Balls, leaving them with nothing.
"Our Poké Balls!" Nikki cried.
"Give them back!" Ash demanded.
"Let me think about it… no! They're ours now!" Jessie responded.
"And the only person we're going to hand them over to is our Boss!" Meowth declared.
"And best of all there's nothing you can do to stop us!" James concluded. Assured of their victory they walked away from the pit to prepare their getaway.
"Call in the balloon, Meowth," Jessie said.
"I'm on it," Meowth replied. He took out a remote and pressed a button. While waiting for their balloon to arrive the trio gloated over how easily their plan worked.
"Who knew that all we had to do was go back to the tried-and-true pitfall trap," Meowth commented. "Those twerps never saw it coming."
"And now they're trapped while we're getting away with their Pokémon," Jessie boasted. She and Meowth's confidence was at an all-time high. James, however, didn't share their enthusiasm. In fact he felt a bit concerned.
"Come on, James. Lighten up," Meowth said once he saw his companion's mood.
"I wish I could, but I just have this foreboding feeling," he replied.
"Foreboding? Did you forget that we have the twerps' Pokémon?" Jessie stated.
"I know, but they always seem to find a way out of our traps," James reminded them.
"Team Rocket!"
"Like that!" Looking behind them they were shocked to see that Ash and Nikki had somehow climbed out of the pit and were charging them.
"Give our Pokémon back!" Nikki demanded.
"We need more time for the balloon to arrive!" Meowth shouted.
"I'll take care of that!" James declared. "Tropius, take care of the twerps!" He hurled Tropius's Poké Ball through the air… only to have it fall to the ground without opening.
"Oh come on! You're not still mad at me, are you?" James griped.
"Oh, forget that leaf-head! Yanmega, take care of this!" She threw out her Poké Ball, and unlike James Yanmega actually appeared.
"Slow the twerps down with Silver Wind!" Jessie instructed. With a few flaps of her wings the Ogre Darner Pokémon blasted Ash and Nikki with her Silver Wind, forcing them to cover up. The attack lasted a few seconds, but that was all the time Team Rocket needed for their balloon to arrive.
"Return, Yanmega!" Jessie called, returning her Pokémon to her Poké Ball. Ash and Nikki recovered quickly, but by then Team Rocket had already boarded their balloon and were lifting off.
"No! They're getting away!" Nikki cried.
"We won't be able to keep up with them on foot!" Ash yelled. While he and Nikki tried to figure out a plan of action Team Rocket was feeling confident about their chances.
"We're actually going to get away with this one!" Jessie boasted.
"And with the twerps without their Pokémon I can actually believe you!" Meowth commented. Pikachu and Buneary glared at them from within their cage while a large sack with Ash and Nikki's Poké Balls sat right next to them.
"I have to admit I was skeptical at first, but now I think you guys are right," James admitted.
"Of course we were right," Meowth boasted. "We hold all the cards. Seriously, what can the twerps do to stop us now?" Then, as if on cue, a stream of fire streaked across the sky and struck Team Rocket's balloon, detonating it instantly.
"Where did that come from?" Jessie shrieked.
"And I thought we were finally going to get away!" Meowth whined.
"Now I know better than to be optimistic early!" James cried.
"We're blasting off again!" they screamed as they vanished. During the balloon explosion Pikachu and Buneary's cage was destroyed, freeing them. Unfortunately this left them hurtling through the air uncontrollably, the bag holding Ash and Nikki's Poké Balls flying through the air with them.
"Oh no!" Nikki screamed.
"We have to catch them!" Ash shouted. Before either of them could make a move something flew in and caught Pikachu, Buneary and the Poké Balls.
"What is that?" Nikki wondered. Both trainers watched as the mysterious object landed in front of them, placing the bag of Poké Balls on the ground in front of it and letting Pikachu and Buneary hop off and back to their trainers. It was then they got a good look at what had saved their Pokémon. It was another Pokémon, and a large one at that. It sported massive wings and a large tail flame. Ash recognized it instantly.
"A Charizard!" he gasped. Nikki immediately grabbed her Pokédex and scanned it.
Charizard, the Flame Pokémon and the evolved form of Charmeleon. If Charizard becomes furious, the flame at the tip of its tail flares up in a light blue shade.
The sight of the massive Pokémon was enough to make both Ash and Nikki wary, but as they continued to gaze at it something began to stir within Ash's mind.
"Could it be?" Before Ash's thoughts could progress further the Charizard turned his gaze on him. At that moment a realization came over Pikachu. As quickly as he could he scurried to Nikki's vacant shoulder.
"(We may want to move away from Ash now,)" he advised.
"What? Why?" the Pinegrove native wondered.
"(Just trust me on this one,)" Pikachu said. She didn't know why Pikachu wanted her to move away from Ash, but she knew the Mouse Pokémon wouldn't steer her wrong. She took his advice and stepped away from Ash, and not a moment too soon, for once she was safely out of range the Charizard engulfed Ash in a massive Flamethrower.
"Ash!" Nikki shouted.
"(I knew it!)" Pikachu thought. Nikki quickly rushed to Ash's side to check on his well-being.
"Are you alright?" she asked in a panic. Despite what he just went through Ash sat up quickly.
"I'm fine," he said. "In fact, I've never felt better." Nikki was not expecting that answer, but before she could inquire further he got to his feet and walked towards the Charizard.
"Ash, be careful!" Nikki warned.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine," Ash reassured her. Nikki wasn't as confident as he was about the situation, yet there was little she could do other than watch as Ash stood before the large Pokémon. She expected the worst, but what happened was the last thing she expected to happen.
Both Ash and the Charizard… smiled.
"I should have known it was you, buddy!" Ash shouted, throwing his arms around the massive Pokémon. Surprisingly the Charizard happily returned the hug.
"(So you do remember me!)" Charizard roared.
"I'd never forget you," Ash said. By now Pikachu and returned to Ash's shoulder and was greeting his old ally.
"(It's good to see you again, Charizard,)" the Mouse Pokémon greeted.
"(You too, Pikachu,)" Charizard returned. "(You haven't changed one bit.)"
"(Except getting stronger, that is,)" Pikachu stated. While the three of them were getting reacquainted Nikki and Buneary looked on confused.
"Umm… is anyone going to tell me what's going on?" Nikki wondered.
"Oops. Sorry," Ash apologized. "Nikki, Buneary, I want you two to meet my Charizard. Charizard, this is Nikki and her Buneary. They're traveling with me now."
"(A pleasure,)" the dragon said.
"Likewise," Nikki said. "You never said you had a Charizard, Ash. Where have you been keeping him?"
"He's been training in the Charisific Valley in the Johto region," Ash explained.
"Johto? But that's a long ways away from here!" Nikki gasped. "Just how did he end up here, and how did he know where to find you?" Ash paused briefly. Now that Nikki mentioned it that was something piqued his curiosity.
"Just how did you know where I was?" Ash asked.
"I can answer that for you." Turning around they saw a hot air balloon similar to Team Rockets, and next to it was the person who had spoken to them and yet another face Ash recognized immediately.
"Liza!"
"It's good to see you again, Ash," Liza said. Standing by her side was Charla, her Charizard, but shortly after being noticed by Ash and company she was by Charizard's side.
"I see nothing's changed between those two," Ash commented.
"If anything they're closer than ever," Liza said.
"So I take it you're the person who's been training Ash's Charizard," Nikki assumed.
"That's right. I'm Liza," Liza said.
"My name's Nikita, but everyone calls me Nikki," Nikki replied. "So, why were you keeping Ash's Charizard?"
"Ash left him with me when he traveled through the Johto region years ago with the promise I'd make him strong. Since then he's been living and training with me and the other Charizard in the Charisific Valley," Liza explained.
"Well he definitely looks strong," Nikki observed.
"He is. Next to Charla he's the strongest Charizard in the valley," Liza reported.
"Really? That's awesome!" Ash praised. In response Charizard puffed his chest out a bit, causing Charla to affectionately take hold of his arm and let out a low, loving growl.
"I guess Charla thinks strength is attractive," Nikki commented.
"She does. It's what attracted her to Charizard in the first place," Liza confirmed.
"So what brings you out here to Legenda? And how did you know where to find me?" Ash inquired.
"I actually came for a couple of reasons," Liza replied. Before she could go any further a rustling noise was heard coming from her balloon.
"(Sounds like our passenger is finally waking up,)" Charla commented.
"Sounds like it," Liza agreed.
"Passenger? There's someone else with you?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, and let me tell you she's been eager to meet you again," Liza commented.
"Again?" Ash wondered. Now he was really curious to know who else Liza had brought with her. Before he could ask her she walked over to the balloon and reached into the basket. What she took out was a small dinosaur-like Pokémon.
"Okay, we're here," she announced. The small Pokémon let out a yawn and stretched.
"Did you sleep well?" Liza wondered.
"(I did. The trip was a bit longer than I realized,)" the Pokémon replied. Though her voice sounded a bit different Ash and Pikachu recognized her instantly.
"Larvitar?" As soon as Ash called her name she looked around, trying to find him.
"(Is that you, Ash? Where are you?)" Larvitar asked.
"Over here." Larvitar turned towards the sound of Ash's voice. When she spotted him and Pikachu he face lit up.
"(Ash! Pikachu!)" In the blink of an eye she jumped out of Liza's arms and dove into Ash's chest, knocking the Pallet Town trainer to the ground.
"It is you!" Ash exclaimed.
"(I missed you, Ash!)" Larvitar said.
"So that's a Larvitar," Nikki said. She took that opportunity to scan Larvitar with her Pokédex.
Larvitar, the Rock Skin Pokémon. It feeds on soil. After it has eaten a large mountain, it falls asleep so it can grow.
"You must have been eating plenty of mountains then. You've grown since I last saw you," Ash commented, earning a childish giggle out of the Rock Skin Pokémon.
"Aw, she's so cute," Nikki cooed.
"(Thanks. I like you,)" Larvitar stated.
"(Nikki's a very likable person,)" Pikachu commented.
"How did you end up with Larvitar in the first place?" Ash wondered.
"It's a funny story, actually. Charla, Charizard and I were visiting a Pokémon game preserve and it just so happened to be the same one you brought Larvitar to. Professor Oak was there too," Liza explained.
"He was?" Ash inquired.
"Yeah. He said he was stopping by to check on the Pokémon there. We got to talking and eventually your name came up. Well this little one must have overheard us because she came running in saying she wanted to see you again," Liza continued. "After that one thing led to another and the professor told me to go find you in the Legenda region. Once we got here I asked Professor Redwood about you and she pointed me in this direction. The rest, as they say, is history."
"Well that explains how you found me," Ash commented. "You also said there were a couple of reasons why you wanted to find me."
"There were," Liza agreed. "One was Larvitar."
"And the other?" Ash inquired. Rather than tell him Liza walked up to him and placed something in his hand. When Ash looked at what she handed him he gasped.
"T-This is!"
"That's right… Charizard's Poké Ball," Liza confirmed.
"But why?" Ash asked.
"You wanted me to make him the strongest Charizard in the valley, did you? Like I said, next to Charla he is the strongest, so I've done all I can," Liza explained. "However, he can become much stronger than I've made him, but the only person who can help him is you."
"Me?" Ash asked.
"That's right. In order for him to grow stronger he needs to travel and experience things he can't in the valley. For that reason I feel it's time to return him to you," Liza stated. Ash didn't know what to say. He always hoped the day would come where Charizard would be returned to him, but now that it was here he felt a bit overwhelmed. With his Poké Ball in his hand Ash turned to Charizard.
"What do you think, buddy? Do you want to come with me again?" he asked.
"(Ash… nothing would make me happier,)" the dragon replied with a smile. At that moment Ash couldn't have been happier as he hugged the large Fire type, being careful not to smother Larvitar.
"(Welcome back, old friend,)" Pikachu said.
"(Believe me, it feels great to be back,)" Charizard said.
"It's going to be great to have you back, Charizard," Ash commented.
"(Don't forget about me!)" Larvitar exclaimed.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ash inquired.
"(I want to come with you too!)" Larvitar stated.
"You do?" Ash asked, a bit surprised.
"Oops. I guess I forgot to tell you. When I said she wanted to meet you again I should have also mentioned that she also wanted you to catch her," Liza said. "From what I gathered from the game warden at the Pokémon preserve you two have a bit of a history."
"What kind of history?" Nikki wondered. Before saying anything Ash looked to Larvitar. She looked up at him and nodded, giving Ash permission to tell Nikki about her past.
"She was forcibly taken from her mother before she was hatched by a gang of poachers," Ash started.
"Oh my! How horrible!" Nikki gasped. Liza remained silent. Like Nikki she was shocked by what she was hearing, but decided to wait until Ash finished before saying anything.
"(What happened next?)" Buneary asked.
"She was given to me while she was still an egg. She hatched soon after that, but because of her experiences before she hatched she would freeze up whenever anyone approached her," Ash continued.
"(Anyone except for me and Ash, that is,)" Pikachu added.
"That's right," Ash agreed. "We eventually got her back to her mother, though."
"What about the poachers? Did you ever run into them again?" Nikki wondered.
"Yeah, and they got what they had coming," Ash said.
"That's good," Nikki commented.
"That was quite the story," Liza said. "Based on what you just told us I can see why Larvitar wants to travel with you again."
"Believe me I'd love to have you come with us, but are you sure it's okay? I mean, we went through a lot to reunite you with your mother" Ash stated.
"(Well, my mom was against it at first, but she eventually gave me permission to find you so I could become your Pokémon,)" Larvitar explained.
"Well, it looks like all that's left is to make it official," Liza stated. Ash looked down at Larvitar and smiled.
"What do you say? Want to make this official?" he asked.
"(Yeah!)" she cheered. Ash then grabbed an empty Poké Ball and prepared to catch Larvitar when Nikki called out to him.
"Umm… aren't you forgetting something?" she questioned.
"Like what?" Ash inquired.
"Well, you already have six Pokémon with you, so if you catch Larvitar she'll be sent back to Professor Oak's place," Nikki stated. This was a fact that the Pallet Town trainer had overlooked.
"Oh man… where's a Pokémon Center when you need one?" he groaned.
"Actually I think I saw one while I was flying overhead," Liza said.
"Really?" Ash asked.
"I think so, and from what I could tell it wasn't far from here," the Johto native added. "Follow me and I'll take you there." With Liza in the lead the group followed her as she lead them to what she believed, and the others hoped, was a Pokémon Center.
To everyone's relief Liza had indeed spotted a Pokémon Center, meaning that Ash could make room in his current team for two new additions. As soon as they stepped inside the Center Ash rushed to the videophones, called Professor Oak's ranch in Pallet Town and explained the situation to Tracey.
"That's great, Ash!" Tracey exclaimed. "So I guess you'll need to send a couple of Pokémon here to make room, right?"
"That, and I'd like to make a few changes to my team." Shortly after that Ash had changed his Pokémon team while making sure to keep two spaces open for Charizard and Larvitar.
"Thanks, Tracey," Ash said.
"Don't mention it. Good luck with your journey." With the Pokémon swap concluded Ash turned to Charizard and Larvitar. He first grabbed Charizard's Poké Ball.
"Welcome back, buddy," he said. Charizard let out a massive roar before being drawn inside the Poké Ball. He then turned his attention to Larvitar, an empty Poké Ball in his hand.
"As for you… welcome to the family," he said before tossing the ball in her direction. The Rock Skin Pokémon cheered as she reached up and slapped the ball. She was immediately drawn inside and put up no struggle as the light flashed three times before a 'ping' echoed across the room.
"(Alright! Larvitar's part of the family now!)" Pikachu cheered. With the Rock Skin Pokémon now a part of their group Ash picked up her Poké Ball and called her out.
"So, how does it feel to be with us now?" he asked.
"(It's great!)" Larvitar cheered.
"(That's good, because you're going to be with us for a long time,)" Pikachu stated.
"That you are," Ash agreed. Larvitar looked around at everyone and smiled, glad to be part of the group.
With their business inside the Pokémon Center concluded the group went outside to say farewell to Liza and Charla as the two of them prepared to head back to the Charisific Valley.
"It was great seeing you again, Liza," Ash commented.
"You too, and it was nice meeting you, Nikki," Liza replied.
"Same here. Good luck on your trip back," Nikki said.
"Thanks, and good luck to you guys on your journey," Liza responded.
"(Thank you for bringing me along,)" Larvitar thanked. Liza smiled and patted her on her head.
"It was my pleasure. Now you make sure to grow up big and strong, okay?" Liza said.
"(You bet!)" Larvitar promised. While they spoke Charizard was saying his goodbyes to Charla.
"(I'm going to miss you, Charizard,)" Charla said.
"(And I you. I'll visit as often as I can,)" Charizard promised.
"(I'm going to hold you to that, big guy,)" Charla stated. With that she licked Charizard's cheek, making the large dragon blush. With a smirk Charla walked over to Liza and allowed her trainer to attach the balloon to her tail.
"Okay, Charla! Let's head home!" With a few flaps of her wings Charla and the balloon took to the skies.
"Bye, Liza! Bye, Charla!" Ash called.
"Take care!" Nikki added.
"Bye, everyone!" Liza replied. They continued to wave to each other until Liza and Charla vanished from sight.
"Well guys, we've got a long road ahead of us," Ash stated.
"That we do," Nikki agreed. After returning Charizard and Larvitar to their Poké Balls the group continued on the road to their next destination.
A chance meeting with an old friend has reunited Ash with two Pokémon from his past. Now that Charizard and Larvitar are part of the ever-growing family what changes will that bring for Ash and company? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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