Hello Fanfiction Readers!
Disclaimer: ...Think we're all aware of the fact that I don't own Pokémon. Might be the last time I have a disclaimer written up...
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Normal Point of View
The sun was shining high over a clear blue lake. Standing in front of it were a certain group of Pokémon Trainers.
"Wow..." Iris breathed in awe of the tranquility of the waters. "It's beautiful!"
"A perfect spot for lunch." Cilan commented as he took a sniff of the air.
Misty hummed. "And swimming.
"Wanna play until then?" Iris asked, directing the question to the Tusk Pokémon perched in her hair.
While everyone's attention was on the lake, Ash was thinking over what Trip had said about Oshawott and his difficulty in using Aqua Jet.
I'll just have to change that. Ash thought before he nodded his head. A determined glint shone in his eyes. "Oshawott and I are gonna do some special training."
"Okay." Iris said. "And while you're doing that, why don't you let your other Pokémon out?" She clenched her fist. "I'll keep a careful eye on them!"
"Thanks!" Ash said. "That's great!"
"And while I make our lunch," Cilan started. "you can watch mine too!"
"Think I'll let my Pokémon get some swimming in too." Misty said.
"Everybody, come on out!" Ash, Misty, Cilan, and Iris exclaimed in unison as they released their respective Pokémon.
Tepig, Scraggy, Swadloon, Snivy, Emolga, Dwebble, and Pansage appeared on the ground as Corsola, Staryu, Seadra, and Gyarados appeared in the water. Psyduck sat on the edge of the lake. Emolga and Snivy, catching the glance of the other, glared before looking away.
Wait a minute. Cilan looked around with a keen eye. "Shouldn't you also release Excadrill Iris?"
"Excadrill?" Iris repeated incredulously before sweat-dropping. She sighed. "I suppose, since we're not battling..." She blinked before clenching a fist in determination. "Okay! Excadrill, come on out!"
The Subterrene Pokémon appeared. Instead of curling up though, Excadrill analyzed his surroundings.
Oshawott was released in front of his trainer. "'Kay, Oshawott! How about some special training?"
The Sea Otter Pokémon tilted his head to the side in something resembling confusion before giving Ash a thumbs-up.
"That's what I like to see!" Ash said.
As the other Pokémon were chasing Iris around (except for Excadrill, who was leaning against a nearby tree) Ash, Misty, and Oshawott were stretching as the former two had changed into their swimming suits. Marill stood nearby, keeping a watch on Psyduck.
"Ready to go?" Ash asked as he crouched down in front of Oshawott. "Today we're gonna-"
Before he could finish his sentence, he was splashed with water. The result of Misty jumping into the water.
"Anyway," Ash said. "Let's do some special training!"
Oshawott nodded before jumping into the water. Misty had swam over to her Ferocious Pokémon and was currently swimming with him.
"Oshawott, you're an awesome swimmer, no doubt!" Ash praised as he walked into the water and over to his Pokémon as he was in the midst of a backstroke. "But there's a reason your Aqua Jet misses. You keep closing your eyes underwater," Oshawott stopped, giving his trainer some of his attention. "and that's what we're gonna work on, okay?"
It seemed that this didn't sit well in the Sea Otter Pokémon's stomach as he had a frown on his features and was holding his paws near his mouth.
"I'll be holding on the whole time," Ash reassured as he took hold of Oshawott's hands. "so don't worry. Just relax and slowly put your face in the water."
Oshawott still appeared to have his doubts before he put his head underwater. Wanting to know of his progress, Ash stuck his own head underwater to see...that Oshawott still had his eyes shut. This caused him to gasp and retract his head from underwater. Oshawott soon followed.
"Here's the thing." Ash started. "You can't keep your eyes closed when you're underwater!"
"Osha..." ("Sorry...") He said as he looked downward.
"Let's try it again." Ash said. "But this time, we'll do it together, 'kay?"
Oshawott looked back up at his trainer.
"Just keep your eyes wide open and look straight at me." Ash said.
The Sea Otter Pokémon nodded his head.
"One..." Ash said. "Two...Three!" And with that, they became submerged underwater. However, Ash saw that Oshawott still had his eyes closed.
Moving over to his Pokémon, Ash put his figures near Oshawott's eyes as he attempted to open them. "Oshawott," His voice came out distorted. "open your eyes!"
Oshawott, not appreciating what had transpired, shot his trainer out of the lake with Water Gun. Ash ended up in a cloud of dust as he twitched faintly and had swirls in his eyes. Imaginary Psyduck and Ducklett hovered over his head.
Marill and Psyduck went over to check on the teen. The former regarded him with a concerned expression while the latter was looking at him with what could be assumed his version of be worried.
"Ash!" Misty exclaimed, seeing the Pokémon Trainer be blasted out of the water. Passing a glance and an affectionate pat on her Ferocious Pokémon, she swam to shore until she was standing over her boyfriend. Oshawott was trailing behind her, looking repentant.
"Are you okay Ash?" Misty asked as he was blinking his eyes.
As the raven-haired teen blinked his eyes and saw the orange-haired teen hovering over him, his breath caught in his throat. The female in front of him had her hair swept back and clinging to her face as water was dripping down her figure. Her worried frown and the kindness he saw in her eyes only furthering her appeal.
"Pretty…" Ash muttered incoherently.
Misty sweat-dropped, sighed, and leaned back on the balls of her feet. "Yeah, you're fine." She chuckled before extending a hand. "Need some assistance?"
Ash's russet eyes lingered on the appendage for a moment before he smiled. "Thanks Mist." He said as he took it.
"No problem." She said, a light shade of crimson on her cheeks. Before she could get too enraptured though, she turned her viridian eyes upon the Sea Otter Pokémon. Her eyes hardened as she did.
"Oshawott," Misty started, crossing her arms. "Care to explain what happened?"
The Sea Otter Pokémon fiddled his flippers before he pointed accusingly at Ash.
"Osha oshawott!" ("It's his fault!")
Before Misty could chastise Oshawott any further, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Relax Misty, it's my fault." Ash said.
"Really?" She asked as she eyed the aspiring Pokémon Trainer suspiciously.
Removing his hand, he used it to scratch his neck sheepishly as an embarrassed blush spread across his cheekbones. "Really. When I tried to get Oshawott to keep his eyes open, I went like this," To explain, he used his fingers to spread the upper and lower sides of his eyes to stretch them. "and he ended up blasting me with a Water Gun." He grinned at Oshawott. "But I know he didn't mean any harm in it, right Oshawott?"
The Sea Otter Pokémon looked up at the russet eyes regarding him and crossed his flippers as he looked away. "Osha, osha oshawott." ("Right, I'm sorry.")
"See Misty?" Ash said before turning his smile on his girlfriend.
"Yeah." Misty agreed before crouching down in front the Sea Otter Pokémon. She rose an admonishing finger. "Okay Oshawott, you're off the hook."
Oshawott smiled at her but it subsided as she continued. "But I would like it if you didn't blast my boyfriend with water," She stood as a smirk creased her features. "besides, if something like that happens again, I'll be sure to blast him with water myself." She finished her sentence with a wink that Oshawott returned.
"Osha osha!" ("Got it!") He said with a thumbs-up.
"Misty?!" Ash whined. "Are you trying to turn Oshawott against me?"
"Sorry Ash," Misty said, her smirk still on her face. "but Water Pokémon and I, we've got to stick together."
"Whatever." Ash grumbled before sighing and crouching in front of Oshawott. "Anyway, what do you say Oshawott? Wanna get back to training?"
Oshawott's response was a determined nod of his head.
Meanwhile, as Ash was training Oshawott and Misty was swimming with her Pokémon, Iris was playing with the other Pokémon (excluding Excadrill) as Cilan was preparing lunch. The Pokémon were currently tossing a ball around as Tepig bounced it over to Axew.
The Tusk Pokémon hurled it into the air. After he did, Emolga flew to catch it. Holding it, the Sky Squirrel Pokémon smirked as an idea took root in her mind. She tossed it to Snivy, most likely in an attempt to catch her rival off-guard.
It would take more than that to catch the Grass Snake Pokémon while she's distracted. Unleashing two vines, Snivy hit the ball in the direction of the Rock Inn Pokémon. It narrowly missed Emolga as it did. To protect him from the ball, Dwebble raised his arms. As Dwebble didn't feel anything colliding into him, the Rock Inn Pokémon looked up to find that he had inadvertently popped the ball.
Iris chuckled half-heartedly. "Looks like game over."
As Dwebble was apologizing profusely to Iris and the other Pokémon ("No problem." Iris said in consolation. "It's not your fault, Dwebble."), Excadrill was rolling his eyes as he got ready to take a nap, and Emolga and Snivy were glaring intensely at each other, Scraggy was walking next to a bush when something caught his eye.
What the Shedding Pokémon beheld was one, four, ten red and white spheres. They looked suspiciously like Poké Balls. After looking up, what was on the bush revealed themselves to be Pokémon.
Scraggy tilted his head to the side, unsure of his quarry. The Pokémon in the bush began to sway back and forth in a dance of sorts. The Shedding Pokémon must've become enraged by it as he grabbed his pants, reared back, and used Headbutt on them, sending the Pokémon scattering.
When the Pokémon landed, they started to dance again, seemingly more incensed than before. Scraggy stomped down in front of them before turning his head up at them. He looked back to them and stuck his tongue out as they continued dancing. The Pokémon jumped up into the air, startling Scraggy and getting the attention of Iris and the other Pokémon.
Among them were Emolga and Snivy. They glared at each other a moment more as they butted heads.
"This isn't over." Emolga said with a glint to her eye.
Snivy smirked. "It never is, is it?"
The two then went to the source of the commotion with Emolga flying and Snivy running.
"What's with them?" Iris wondered aloud as the Pokémon - except for Pikachu and Excadrill - ran to the noise. Soon enough, the Mouse Pokémon joined them as he ran after them.
"Where's everybody going?" Iris called after them, becoming increasingly befuddled.
"It's lunchtime!" Cilan sang as he twirled around behind Iris. The green-haired male was holding a silver platter as crustless sandwiches rested on them. However, as he glanced around, he sweat-dropped as he noticed there was almost no one to enjoy the meal he prepared. He shook his head before posing his question. "Where is everyone?"
"Something must have happened!" Iris answered as she pointed off in the general direction that the Pokémon absconded off to.
"Huh?" Cilan asked for clarification, lowering the platter.
Iris shook her head vigorously. "Oh, we've got to follow them." Searching around her waist, she grabbed Excadrill's Poké Ball and aimed it at him. "Excadrill return!"
The red beam sent the Subterrene Pokémon back into his Poké Ball. But not before Iris saw him roll his eyes at her. Iris sighed as she gripped the Poké Ball. "Honestly Excadrill…" She trailed off, not quite sure what more to say about her disobedient Pokémon.
She turned her attention back to Cilan who was looking at her with a mixture of curiosity and sympathy in his emerald eyes. "Iris, I have every certainty as a Pokémon Connoisseur that Excadrill will listen to you eventually."
Iris stared into his eyes with her maroon set. While she did, she could almost believe him. However, with the staring increasing, she turned her head to the side. The reason being her losing her nerve as a slight crimson hue danced across her cheekbones. "Sure Cilan, whatever you say." She looked off in the direction that the other Pokémon went. "We should probably go find the Pokémon, there's no telling what might happen to them."
"Right." Cilan agreed with a nod of his head.
With that said, the two quickly picked up the pace as they followed the path their Pokémon had taken.
The scene that the two had come across wasn't a pleasant one. Each and every Pokémon was rendered incapacitated.
"I've got to let Ash and Misty know about this." Cilan decided. Before he could move though, Iris fixed a stare on him.
"No, I'll do it." Iris said. "You need to watch the Pokémon."
Cilan nodded his head as Iris took off. "Okay."
"Try it again." Ash said as he held Oshawott's flippers as he had his head underwater. "Keep your eyes open."
Oshawott rose from the water and shook his head of it.
"One more time." Ash said.
However, before they could, they were interrupted by the sound of Iris' voice.
"Ash!" She called. "Misty!"
"What's up?" Ash inquired as he turned around. Misty was swimming towards them, Gyarados not far behind as her other Pokémon lingered close.
"It's Pikachu and the others!" Iris answered.
"Oshawott, let's go!" Ash said.
"Osha!" ("Okay!") The Sea Otter Pokémon said with a nod of his head.
"Gyarados return!" Misty exclaimed as she recalled her Ferocious Pokémon. She did the same with the rest as she picked up her Marill.
"Hey, Cilan, Iris!" Ash called as Oshawott, Misty, and Marill were close behind. "I'm coming!"
As he arrived, he gave a cursory glance to the ailing Pokémon. "What happened here?" He sighed. "This looks bad…" His eyes wandered over Pikachu. "Pikachu!"
Misty crouched in front of the Pokémon as Ash kneeled down next to his Mouse Pokémon.
"Pikachu, are you okay?" He asked. He stood up and looked at the other Pokémon again. "Everybody?"
"Those Foongus shot poison spores at everyone," Iris explained as she held her Tusk Pokémon. She turned to face Ash and Misty. "And now I'm afraid they're all in really bad shape."
"Foongus, huh?" Ash said as he got out his Pokédex.
"Foongus, the Mushroom Pokémon. Foongus release poisonous spores to repel anyone who tries to catch them. For unknown reasons, they resemble Pokéballs." The machine uttered.
The ten Foongus, built up as some sort of pyramid, gave a cry of their name before rolling away.
"I'm afraid I'm out of the Antidote that cures the poison." Cilan said as he got out his Town Map and clicked away on it. "We could go to a Pokémon Center, but…" He sighed and lowered the device. "I'm afraid there isn't a Center within miles of here."
"I feel like I've seen this before." Misty murmured before it hit her. She remembered a different time; a time of stun spores, poliwag, and a sketch book. Retrieving her Town Map, she began to click away at it.
"Pikachu…" Ash regarded his friend with concern as he elevated his head.
"I'm wondering if there's any Remeyo Weed growing in the lake." Iris pondered.
"Remeyo Weed?" Ash repeated as he glanced at Iris.
"Right!" Iris nodded her head. "If it's used to make tea, it'll neutralize the poison."
"I'll do a search on it." Cilan said.
"That won't be necessary Cilan." Misty said as she showed him her Town Map. "Already done."
She brought it away to analyze it. "It says that there are several multitudes of it in the nearby lake.
"Great!" Ash said as he lowered Pikachu gently and looked over Misty's shoulder. "Good work Mist!"
Misty shook her head as Ash turned his gaze to Oshawott. "Let's go find some, Oshawott."
Said Pokémon ran over to him as he waved his arms.
"I'll come with you." Cilan said, the sight of Remeyo Weed on his Town Map.
"I'll stay here and keep an eye on everyone." Iris added.
"Me too." Misty said with a wink. "Wouldn't be the first time that I had to care for a patient afflicted by a Pokémon."
"Thanks." Ash said as he scratched his neck at Misty's comment. "Let's go!"
The raven-haired Pokémon Trainer and Pokémon Connoisseur made their way to the lake as Cilan striked up a conversation.
"What did Misty mean when she said this wasn't the first time that she had to care for someone?" He inquired, his eyes never drifting from the device in his hands. The two were surrounded by tall, green plants on either side.
"It's a long story." Ash said as he held Oshawott. A hue of rose smattered his cheeks. "A long time ago when I was travelling, one of my friends, Tracey, was analyzing a Vileplume when I came up behind him, tripped on a rock, and made us both stumble into the Pokémon."
"Interesting." Cilan said before glancing at the trainer. He had an amused smile on his face. "Sounds like you have quite the array of adventures to recount."
The color on his face faded as Ash smirked faintly. "That's nothing compared to what else happened."
Before he could elaborate, the two appeared on the edge of the lake.
"Looks like we're here." Cilan stated as the three looked around. "It says Remeyo Weed grows in crevices between rocks on the bottom of the lake."
"Then I'll just swim down and get some." Ash declared.
"It's not that easy." Cilan said.
"How come?" Ash inquired as he turned his gaze to him.
"The crevices that Remeyo Weed grow in are very small." Cilan answered. "There's no way you'll be able to fit."
"Hm." Ash sighed.
"In the old days, people used Water-type Pokémon specially trained to gather it." Cilan continued.
"We can handle that!" Ash said as he looked at the Pokémon in his arms. "Right, Oshawott? You can do it!"
"Oshawott…" ("I'm not sure…") Oshawott murmured as he looked uncomfortable.
"But those narrow crevices make it difficult to see." Cilan interjected. "Since Oshawott won't open his eyes underwater, how will that work?"
"Hmm." Ash hummed thoughtfully as he set Oshawott on the ground. "I guess you're right." He looked in his Pokémon's eyes as he turned around. "What do you think Oshawott?"
The aforementioned Sea Otter Pokémon glanced between his trainer and the waters before determination shined in his eyes.
Ash nodded his head. "Okay Oshawott." He turned to Cilan as he pulled out a water-breathing device. "We're ready to go!"
"Really?" Cilan asked, unconvinced.
Ash nodded his head. "Leave it to us!"
And with that, he picked up Oshawott after putting on the water-breathing device and ran into the awaiting waters. After being submerged for a few moments, Ash resurfaced as he and his Pokémon went further into the waters.
Cilan sighed. "I hope they know what they're doing."
The Pokémon moaned in discontent as all but Dwebble and Swadloon had a leaf on them and they all had white cloths on their foreheads. Iris was busy crafting something medicinal to aid them as Misty helped make something as well.. She finished squirting the liquid into a clear container in the shape of a small tea kettle before wiping at her forehead with her forearm.
"It's all ready." Iris proclaimed. The aspiring Dragon-Type master walked over to her Tusk Pokémon as she elevated his head while Misty knelt next to Pikachu; Marill never far from her side.
"Fresh-squeezed Oran Berry juice." Iris explained. "It won't heal the poison," She continued as she feed the fluid to her ailing friend. "but the energy you'll get from drinking it will make you feel better."
"Ash, Oshawott, and Cilan will be back soon with the Remeyo Weed." Iris said after a moment. "So hang in there!"
"Pikapi…" Pikachu murmured.
Misty regarded the Mouse Pokémon with a tender smile as Marill looked with worry at him. The temperamental Water-Type trainer might have difficulty understanding some of Ash's Pokémon, no matter what she'll always be able to understand Pikachu perfectly. (And those of Ash's original team, but that is a story for another time).
"If I had some Pecha Berries," Misty started as she held another pitcher of Oran Berry juice. "I could try to decrease the effect the poison has on you." She shrugged. "For the moment, Oran Berry juice will have to do."
After she said that, she offered the spout to the sick Pokémon who accepted it gratefully. When he was finished for the moment, Pikachu had a weak smile on his face as he thanked her.
"You're welcome Pika-pal." Misty replied.
The aforementioned Pokémon trainer and his Pokémon were currently under the depths of the lake as they searched for Remeyo Weed. Unbeknownst to the two, a Palpitoad was glaring at them as the Pokémon growled menacingly. Palpitoad turned to the Tympole behind him before the Pokémon gleefully swam away. Palpitoad gave them a glance as he watched them go.
A few minutes of swimming later and Ash saw something that looked of interest. "Hmm? Over there!"
Swimming to where he saw it in the underwater rock wall, he knelt down in front of it.
"That's it!" Ash exclaimed, recognizing the plant from the picture he beheld earlier. "Okay, grab it now!"
However, before anything of the sort could occur, his focus was diverted by the swarm of Pokémon heading his way.
"That's not good!" Ash mumbled as he evaded them.
"Osha?" ("What?") The Sea Otter Pokémon questioned, his eyes still shut. "Oshawott Osha!" ("Ash, where'd you go?")
"Oshawott, get out of there!" Ash shouted as the Tympole came back around. "Quick!"
"Osha?" ("Huh?")
"C'mon!" Ash exclaimed as he gestured his right arm over himself.
Realizing that his Pokémon was aimless underwater and most likely was unaware of what was going on, Ash exclaimed: "Oh no! Oshawott, open your eyes!" He gave a slight shake of his head. "Dodge them!"
"Osha?" ("Them?")
The Tympole shortly took turns headbutting Oshawott as he was helpless. The Tympole then released a synchronized blast of Supersonic that collided with the Sea Otter Pokémon, resulting in an explosion of brown dust.
"Oshawott, are you okay?" Ash asked.
His answer came in the form of a confused Oshawott as mini Oshawott swam around his head.
The Tympole resumed their attack by blasting him with Water Guns that Oshawott managed to narrowly avoid.
This barrage of water didn't go unnoticed though as Cilan saw the spurts of water above the surface.
"Look at that!" He exclaimed. "What's going on?" The barrage of water continued. "Ash! Oshawott!"
Iris, Misty, and Marill sat around the other Pokémon as the two trainers managed to make all of the Pokémon present drink some Oran Berry juice to try and revitalize them. The scene was quiet except for a faint breeze which rustled some nearby plants.
The former looked away from the Pokémon and in the direction of the lake where they relocated the Pokémon. She had a feeling something wasn't going according to plan… "I hope they're okay."
"I'm sure they'll be fine." Misty said reassuringly.
Iris glanced at Axew. "I hope so."
Things were decidedly not fine as the Tympole surrounding Oshawott as he stood on a rock.
"Come on, Oshawott, Razor Shell!" Ash commanded. Even though he couldn't see, the raven-haired male hoped his Pokémon could defend himself.
Putting a flipper on his chest, Oshawott took his shell as the object elongated into a his ability, he tried to attack the Tympole, but ended up being a wasteful effort.
"It won't work if you can't see!" Ash remarked. "You've gotta open your eyes, you can do it!"
"Osha?" ("I can?") Oshawott, while unsure, stopped attacking as he tried to open his eyes.
So far, it proved to be effective as the Sea Otter Pokémon opened his eyes a sliver.
"Just a little wider!" Ash encouraged.
Oshawott's attempt was derailed as the Tympole unleashed another barrage of water unto the Pokémon.
"What;s going on down there?" Cilan wondered as he saw more water come up from below.
Oshawott panted as the Tympole's assault was wearing him down.
"One more time!" Ash proclaimed. "Try to open your eyes again!"
Oshawott drew his Razor Shell back as he tried to open his eyes. While he was, the Tympole were powering up their Bubblebeam attacks.
"Hurry, Oshawott!" Ash yelled as Oshawott managed to open his eyes a sliver and the Tympole fired their attacks.
With the last bit of encouragement from his trainer, Oshawott opened his eyes before making quick work of the Bubblebeams; the attack exploding in a fog of blue sparkling essence.
Seeing their opponent fighting back, the Tympole quickly became horrified as they were unsure what to do now.
"Way to go!" Ash congratulated. "Razor Shell, again!"
With his eyes wide open and a confident smirk upon his features, Oshawott drew back his attack as he was ready to defeat the attacking Tympole.
It seemed though he wouldn't have to as the Tympole quickly scattered in all directions.
"You did it, Oshawott!" Ash congratulated again as he swam in front of his Pokémon.
"Oshawott!" ("You bet!") The Sea Otter Pokémon declared proudly as he put his Scalchop back on his chest.
"Those Tympole might be coming back," Ash assumed, knowing their name from whjat he had overheard. "so let's get out of here!" He looked from his right back to his Pokémon.
"Oshawott!" ("Yeah!")
What they weren't aware of, is that the same Palpitoad was growling at them as he was discontent with the fact that people were invading on his territory. The Palpitoad turned to his left as he spoke with the Stunfisk that lurked there. As the latter rose from the dirt, they spoke of what to do with the Stunfisk hurrying away to deal with the trespassers.
As Stunfisk got closer, he smiled as he charged up his Thunder Shock attack. As he was covered in electrical energy, he released it on an unsuspecting Ash and Oshawott as he lifted his tail into the air.
"What's that?" Cilan pondered as he saw a glow of golden light as Ash and Oshawott were being shocked. After the attack was over, Ash and Oshawott came hurtling out of the water as they landed in front of Cilan.
"Are you all right?" Cilan asked as he extended a hand to help Ash up.
"Yeah." Ash answered as he stood up with the Pokémon Connoisseur's assistance. "If it wasn't for Oshawott, I would've been in big trouble." A humorless smile spread across his face in a fleeting motion. "I still got zapped, though."
"Oshawott." ("Me too.")
The three turned to the lake as they saw something emerge from its waters. The Stunfisk jumped into the air, landed, and had his face above water as he was chuckling at them.
"That Stunfisk must be the reason you got shocked down there!" Cilan stated, ever the observant one.
"Hmm." Ash hummed as he brought out his Pokédex.
"Stunfisk, the Trap Pokémon. Stunfisk hides itself in the mud, and then delivers an electric jolt when its prey touches it, smiling all the while." The machine uttered.
"That's one dangerous Pokémon!" Cilan commented.
"And a bit creepy if you ask me." Ash added with an unnerved smile. "Why did you have to do that?" He demanded.
"Oshawott, Osha!" ("Yeah, why?")
Stunfisk's response was to delve deep under the waters.
"Man!" Ash exclaimed in exasperation. "Now how are we gonna get any of that Remeyo Weed? That Stunfisk'll make sure we don't get anywhere near it!"
"Oshawott." ("Yeah.")
"You just leave that Stunfisk to me and do what you need to do!" Cilan exclaimed. "Because…" He paused a moment. "It's now fishing time!" He finished he statement with a purple device in his hand that bore resemblance to a pen.
The other two's reaction is mere befuddlement.
"Sparkling water…" Cilan continued. "The perfect stage," He began to uncap his fishing pole. "for a battle between Stunfisk and me!"
His fishing pole shone with the elegance of its polish as Cilan's lure was a shrunken down form of himself. "Demonstrating the triumph of spirit!"
"Wow, all that stuff sounds pretty impressive!" Ash exclaimed. "But get moving!"
"With pleasure!" Cilan proclaimed as he thrust his fishing lure into the water. "Go! Backhand cast!"
His fishing lure spun in the air, bounced a few times on the surface of the cerulean waters before finally delving below it.
"Hm." Cilan was contemplative. "There's something wrong here…" He put his other hand to his chin. "Like an out-of-place ingredient in a tried and true recipe." He began to pull the lever on his fishing pole. "But soon, that out-of-place ingredient will be history and we will savor the feast of joyous conquest!"
The green-haired male saw his fishing pole waver as if tugged upon. "I got it!" He began to reel it in. "A bite! That's it! Success!"
"Wow!" Ash said in awe.
"Now you're all mine!" Cilan declared after a few moments of Stunfisk pulling the lure around the water.
"Mission accomplished!" Cilan said as the Stunfisk was now on dry land.
"Wow, that's great!" Ash commented.
However, the amazement faded when their attention was shifted to a burst of air that came from the middle of the lake.
"Okay, now what?" Ash questioned as fog began to encapsulate them in its indistinct grip.
They saw a flash as the fog dissipated, revealing a very irate Palpitoad.
Never taking a moment to pause, Ash retrieved his Pokédex.
"Palpitoad, the Vibration Pokémon. Palpitoad's long, sticky tongue is used to capture prey. It lives both on land and in the water. In some cases, Palpitoad can be extremely territorial." The machine uttered.
"Extremely territorial?" Ash echoed.
"That must be why you couldn't get the Remeyo Weed!" Cilan said in realization. "This lake is the Pokémon's home and must've not have appreciated us encroaching here."
Palpitoad reared back before he unleash five globules of mud, effectively using Mud Shot. The attack exploded at the base of the three there as it served as a distraction for Stunfisk to refocus himself as he jumped into the air and prepared to blast a Mud Bomb at the Pokémon Connoisseur.
Cilan managed to avoid most of the attack, but couldn't evade being scathed by the blow.
"Cilan!" Ash cried out in concern for his friend.
"I can see that you two are friends." Cilan commented as he wielded his fishing pole in one hand like some sort of sword. He turned to the aspiring Pokémon Master. "Okay, Ash, you handle Palpitoad!"
"Okay, leave it to me!" Ash said.
"Meanwhile, I'll take care of that Stunfisk!" Cilan exclaimed, turning back to the Trap Pokémon. Utilizing his fishing pole, Cilan hoisted the Trap Pokémon above him as he spun him around, no doubt in an effort to incapacitate him.
"Okay, now it's our turn!" Ash said. "Oshawott, wanna battle Palpitoad?"
"Oshawott! Osha, Oshawott!" ("I'm ready for anything!") He proclaimed as he struck a confident pose.
The aforementioned confidence ebbed out of him when he saw Palpitoad growl at him.
"Remember, Pikachu and the others are counting on us…" Ash said. He knelt down next to his Pokémon as he figured that any encouragement will be a boon. "Besides, don't you want to impress Misty by coming back with some of that Remeyo Weed?"
Oshawott gained some confidence by the idea as determination began to shine in his eyes as he stared down the Vibration Pokémon.
"I know you can do it Oshawott!" Ash declared as the Sea Otter Pokémon's gaze hardened.
"'Kay, Oshawott, Water Gun!" Ash said as his right arm was extended forward.
The Sea Otter Pokémon reared back before unleashing the spray of water.
Palpitoad was ready for it though as he jumped backwards slightly on one foot before unleashing an even bigger spray of water to negate the attack.
"Oh no, that's Hydro Pump!" Ash said as the attack made quick work of Oshawott's before blasting the Sea Otter Pokémon. The effect was an explosion of smoke as Oshawott was tossed backwards.
"Oshawott, you okay?" Ash asked as his Pokémon fell in front of him.
Oshawott shook the mud from his face as he was even more ready to battle than he was before.
"Okay, Razor Shell!" Ash said.
Removing his Scalchop, Oshawott readied the attack as a blue-and-white light shone from his shell. Before he could move it to attack, Palpitoad puffed out his cheeks before unleashing several waves of sound in the form of a Supersonic.
"Oshawott, fight it!" Ash said as Oshawott covered his ears.
"It's confused from the Supersonic!" Cilan stated as he continued his spinning of the Stunfisk.
The attack persisted before Palpitoad reared back to use another attack. An attack that Cilan recognized before he even used it.
"That's Mud Shot!" Cilan said. "It's changing attacks fast!"
The attack collided with Oshawott, exploding in a cloud of dust that almost knocked him over. The Sea Otter Pokémon was able to right himself.
"Whoa, Palpitoad's really strong." Ash remarked. "Yeah, I think I'm gonna catch it!" An idea took root in his mind, inspired by the fact that Oshawott can now open his eyes underwater. And that means… "It's all-or-nothing! Oshawott, Aqua Jet!"
Oshawott quickly encapsulated himself in water as he propelled himself towards his opponent. Unfortunately for Ash, he didn't know Oshawott still had his eyes closed.
"You're doing great!" Ash commented as Oshawott came within a few inches of Palpitoad. It wasn't enough as Oshawott swerved the left of the Vibration Pokémon.
"Oshawott!" Ash called.
As Oshawott remained aimless, Palpitoad chose to attack again as his tongue glowed yellow before he unleashed another Mud Shot.
"Oshawott, look out!" Ash shouted.
Said Pokémon could only look around blindly.
"Quick, open your eyes!" Ash said. "Like when you used Razor Shell." He nodded his head briefly. "Before, back in the lake! Remember what you did, Oshawott! I know you can do it!"
Oshawott thought back to when he opened his eyes and made quick work of the Tympole's Bubblebeam.
"Oshawott, now!" Ash yelled.
In that moment, the Sea Otter Pokémon opened his eyes as he easily dodged the barrage of Mud Shot. Emboldened, Oshawott continued until he ran straight into an unnerved Palpitoad. The conclusion ended with Oshawott as the victor and Palpitoad defeated.
"You did it, Oshawott!" Ash exclaimed as Oshawott joined him in his jubilance.
"Well, then, I think it's fishing wrap-it-up time!" Cilan said before releasing the Stunfisk from his fishing pole. The Trap Pokémon swirled a little in the air before falling to the ground, fainted.
"All right, go Pokéball!" Ash said as he tossed the red and white ball to capture the Pokémon.
"It's Pokéball time for me, too!" Cilan said as he threw one into the air as well to capture his Pokémon.
Simultaneously, the two Pokéballs clicked! showing that the catch was successful. Picking up the Pokéball in his flippers, Oshawott ran it to his trainer.
"Thanks, Oshawott." Ash said before taking the Pokéball. "Wow, I just caught a Palpitoad!"
"And I've got a Stunfisk!" Cilan added. He snapped the fingers of his left hand. "Good catch!"
After the joy of catching a new Pokémon, Ash knelt down in front of Oshawott. "Okay Oshawott, it's time to get that Remeyo Weed."
Oshawott nodded his head.
"I'm sure you can do it yourself too!" Ash added.
Oshawott smiled at that before swimming underwater to retrieve the Remeyo Weed. As he swam to the crevice and fetched some of the Remeyo Weed and was on his way back to the surface, he felt the oddest sensation of being watched. Brushing it off, he swam to the surface to deliver the
Remeyo Weed.
"It's finally ready!" Iris proclaimed after she finished making juice from the Remeyo Weed with Misty's help to feed to the Pokémon. Ash and Misty changed into their regular clothes when the former came back. "Here everyone! It's the medicine made from the Remeyo Weed Oshawott brought!" She knelt down to them as Misty did the same. "Drink it all up!"
Starting with Pansage and Pikachu, Iris and Misty went around their Pokémon until everyone was cured of the poison from the Foongus that attacked them.
After the medicine did its work, the Pokémon (except for Pikachu) ran as they played along the lake.
"The medicine really work." Iris marveled as she sat on a rock, Ash sat neck to her with Pikachu in his arms as Oshawott sat next to them. Cilan leaned against a tree with his arms crossed behind him as Misty sat behind Ash, looking over their shoulders. "Everyone looks great!"
"They sure do-awesome!" Ash added before looking at his Sea Otter Pokémon. "And it's all thanks to you Oshawott!"
Oshawott looked gratified by that sentiment if his grin was any indication.
"Don't forget, it was also thanks to your hard work too Ash." Cilan added.
"Nah," Ash said as he rubbed Oshawott's head. "Oshawott did the work!"
"It was thanks to our teamwork that Iris and I were able to made the medicine." Misty added.
The Pokémon stopped playing along the lake as they came back to give Oshawoot their thanks.
Oshawott, in a rare moment, felt bashful to the attention. He couldn't help but feel incredible proud of his accomplishment.
A few moments passed before Misty breathed in the air around them.
"We still have plenty of daylight left."
Ash, catching on to what his girlfriend was implying, smirked. "It would be fun to just kick back and relax."
Finally, with just a fleeting look between the two, they soon changed into their swimsuits before jumping into the water.
"That does look rather fun." Cilan commented as Iris shook her head while Misty released her Pokémon.
"They look like a duo of little kids if you ask me." She said. Whatever she felt though was pushed to the side as the two soon changed into their swimsuits and enjoyed the relaxing waters of the lake as a beautiful sky was above them and the sun shined bright; a constant reminder of the promise of a new day.
Author's Notes: Okay, this is probably going to be a long author's note so you readers should get comfortable. I am so sorry that it took me this long to update. I mean, the last time was in November and it's June now so...yeah. Anyway, I'm glad that none of you breathed down my neck, demanding for a new chapter that wasn't entirely done yet and for that, you have my sincerest gratitude. I feel bad that I rewarded that with a long wait time. I know this Fanfiction isn't heart-poundingly suspenseful, but that is no excuse. So, I hope you can forgive me for making you wait so long regardless.
Anyway, I decided to try and get this up today because of it's auspicious connotations. Because today (or is it yesterday?) is none other than the day I first published this little Fanfiction. Can you believe it's been a year? I certainly cannot. Anyway, I'll try my best to be more consistent with my updates as I was before when I first began.
But first, I still have a lot of other stories to finish so hopefully this will be able to tide you over until I come back to this. I also decided to commemorate this occasion with the announcement that I will be writing another story in the Pokémon fandom. All I can tell you though is that it involves Ash and Misty (obviously) and another tale of their romance. So, I guess all that is left to say is that I hope you enjoyed this chapter and have a great day!
I might also come back to this chapter to analyze the number of italics I need to fix.