Pokemon: Friends to the End
Chapter 44: Mass Hip-Po-Sis!
Ash, Dawn, Denise and Brock were returning their Pokémon after they have finished eating their lunch.
"What do you say, we hit the road?"Ash asked.
Pikachu then pats his trainer on the leg and does a Turtwig face.
"What was that about Turtwig?"Ash asked.
"I think both me and Pikachu saw Turtwig heading to the woods after a little dinner stroll."Brock explained.
"Well, then let's go look for him."Denise suggested.
The four heroes then head to the woods to look for Turtwig.
"Hey, Turtwig!"Ash called out.
"Turtwig, it's time to go!"Dawn reminded.
"Turtwig, where are you?"Brock asked.
Then Turtwig came out from the bushes.
"Turtwig!"
"Oh there you are."Denise said kindly.
"What are you doing out here?"Ash asked.
Turtwig then gestures the Pallet Town Trainer to follow him.
"Something is wrong."Dawn commented.
Turtwig points them to a cliff where a Hippopotas was trapped.
"Up there."Ash said.
"Isn't that a pokemon?"Denise asked.
"I think."Brock agreed.
"Pika."Pikachu said quietly.
"Oh no, if it falls off, it would be terrible."Dawn admitted worriedly.
"Good thing, you found it, Turtwig."Ash remarked.
Turtwig nodded. "Turtwig."
"Don't move, we'll get you out of there, don't worry!"Ash assured.
The Hippopotas closed its eyes in fright.
Ash climbs down the cliff with the help of a rope onto the platform where Hippopotas is.
"Ash, please be careful."Denise warned worriedly.
"Hey, no problem."Ash assured with a smile.
He accidentally slipped, but Brock quickly held the rope tighter.
"Thanks Brock, just give me some more rope."Ash suggested.
The two sisters, Brock, Pikachu and Turtwig sighed in relief.
"Don't move, everything will be okay."Ash assured.
Hippopotas bites his hand in fright.
"Whoa, that hurts!"Ash said. "Come on, what did you do that for?"
"It scared the poor thing."Dawn commented. "You need to try and calm it down first."
"Yeah, your right."Ash agreed. "Pikachu, come and give me a hand!"
Pikachu slides down the rope and comforts Hippopotas with success.
"You see?"Ash asked. "Pikachu's right, I'm only here to help you."
He hoists Hippopotas onto his arms.
"All set Brock."Ash admitted. "Now pull us up."
The Pallet Town is then lifted onto the cliff by Brock, Dawn and Denise.
"And there you go."Ash said and looked at Hippopotas. "Man, you were brave, my name is Ash from Pallet Town, nice to meet ya."
"It's a Hippopotas."Brock remarked.
Dawn checked the Pokemon in her Pokedex.
"Hippopotas, the Hippo Pokémon."Dawn's Pokedex said. "It lives in dry places and covers itself in sand to protect against germs, it does not enjoy getting wet."
Hippopotas had a sad look on its face.
"Oh, so it's a Ground Type."Denise commented.
"Wow."Ash said.
"Poor dear, your still scared?"Dawn asked.
"I be surprise, if it's not."Brock replied. "Maybe a snack will help."
He took out a small can of pokemon food.
"Here, try some of this."Brock instructed.
Hippopotas sniffed and then opened his mouth so that the Breeder can feed it.
But then the Ground Type winced at the taste.
"Hey, you don't need to get so worked up you know."Ash joked.
Brock, Dawn, Denise, Pikachu and Turtwig laughed at his compliment.
Then Hippopotas walked away from the group and went to a tree that had fruits on them.
"You want Hippopotas some fruit?"Ash asked.
"I bet it wanted to try some."Denise suggested.
"Yeah."Ash agreed as he stood up and walked up to the tree to pick up a fruit. "Here you go."
Hippopotas opened its mouth and ate the fruit.
"Awsome and in one bite."Ash remarked. "Good, huh?"
Hippopotas responded with a smile.
"Look there's a smile."Dawn said sweetly.
"How cute."Denise chuckled.
"Hippo!"Hippopotas answered happily.
The four heroes then picked up their bags.
"Well, we better get going now."Ash admitted with a smile. "You just be careful now."
"Bye Hippopotas."Dawn said kindly.
The four heroes then walked away.
"Geez, I hope Hippopotas doesn't fell down another hill again."Denise remarked.
"For a Hippopotas, I'm sure it wouldn't that much of a problem."Brock answered.
"Pika pika."Pikachu said patting his trainer's shoulder.
"What is it, Pikachu?"Ash asked.
The four heroes turned around and saw Hippopotas following them.
"Hold on, you wanna come along with us?"Ash asked in surprise.
"Ash, I think Hippopotas wants to be yours."Dawn suggested.
"Yeah, after all your the one who rescued him."Brock commented.
"Well that is true."Denise agreed sweetly.
At the same time Rhonda and her Sinnoh Now Staff show up who are making a film about a herd of Hippopotas.
"Aha, so the missing Hippopotas has finally been discovered surviving alone in the wilderness only to be rescued by a group of kids!"Rhonda remarked and got hit by the microphone. "If you don't watch that mic, you'll be the one in the wilderness!"
"Sorry about that."Jack answered.
"Hey, it's Rhonda from Sinnoh Now."Denise said in surprise.
"Oh, I know you."Rhonda admitted with a smile. "Your Ash, Dawn, Denise and your Brock, hi!"
"Hi, what did you say?"Ash asked.
"About a missing Hippopotas?"Dawn asked.
"Good hearing."Rhonda remarked with a wink. "We're right in the middle of building a documentary about Hippoptas you see."
"A documentary?"Brock asked.
"Good hearing."Rhonda replied. "Hippopotas likes living in dry places and they love covering themselves in sand too, they usually travel together as a herd in the change of season searching for the dry places they love, we were filming that event when this happened, when we found this one got separated from the herd, we thought this would be a much better story."
Denise bend down and stroke Hippopotas head.
"And now everything is okay, right?"She asked.
"Hippo hippo."Hippopotas answered sadly.
"So do you know where the Hippopotas herd is right now?"Brock asked.
"Hmm, if they're going in the same way."Rhonda said and showed a map that pointed a location. "Right here."
"I think we should take this guy back to its buddies, what do you say?"Ash asked.
"Great."Dawn agreed.
"That's perfect."Denise said.
"Sure."Brock replied. "We can't leave it here."
"So wanna come with us to find your friends?"Ash asked.
Hippopotas responded with a smile.
"This way."Dawn suggested.
The four heroes and Hippopotas ran off.
"Come on, boys."Rhonda encouraged. "Let's go!"
They all set off in searching for the herd with Hippopotas, but they all get into a pitfall trap set up.
"Ouch."Denise muttered.
"Why is this hole here?"Ash groaned.
Then Hippopotas got grabbed by a rope that was from Team Rocket's balloon.
"Team Rocket!"Ash said angrily.
"Thanks a lot for your energy."Jessie joked.
"It's a Hippopotas, you half wit."Meowth corrected with a frown.
"A hyper hippo."James mumbled.
"Hippopotas, hang in there!"Ash called out.
Being scared,Hippopotas responds with a Yawn, which hits Meowth.
"Grotle, come on out!"Denise stated.
Her pokeball opened and the evolved grass type came out.
"Grotle!"
"Use Razor Leaf!"Denise ordered.
Grotle uses Razor Leaf to release Hippopotas.
The Ground Type falls and gets caught by Ash releasing another Yawn which hits Brock and Jack.
"Come on, I don't have time to waste on Team Rocket!"Ash stated firmly.
Then the four heroes and the TV Crew rushed off into the forest.
Pikachu was on Dawn's shoulder since Hippopotas was on Ash's head.
"Come on, how is your head?"Dawn asked.
"Flattered, but I'm just fine."Ash responded. "Well since Team Rocket is round, we've got to do this right?"
"Right, then Hippopotas will be back with his friends in no time at all."Denise agreed.
"Ash, I'll give you a break when you need it."Brock yawned.
Then the Pokemon Breeder collapsed on the floor.
"Looks like Brock is sleepy."Dawn said.
"Brock, now is not the time for a nap so move it."Ash reminded.
"Ash, I guess there is nothing we can do since he got hit by Hippopotas yawn back there."Denise reminded.
"Yeah, your right with Brock like this we can't go anywhere."Ash agreed.
"Man, what a mess."Dawn admitted.
"Pika."Pikachu said.
"Man, I give up."Ash commented in shame. "Let's take a break."
The twins then spotted Team Rocket's balloon in the sky.
"Team Rocket is back!"Denise stated.
"Man, come on girls, let's hide in the bushes."Ash suggested.
"Right!"Dawn and Denise answered in unison.
The three trainers hid in the bushes.
"Can't believe we left Brock!"Ash said in realisation.
"How awful."Dawn commented.
"Umm, I wouldn't be so sure."Denise stated.
Ash, Dawn and Pikachu followed her gaze and they saw Croagunk dragging Brock behind the same bush.
"Croagunk!"Ash, Dawn and Denise said in unison.
"Man that was quick."Ash replied.
"That was so smart!"Dawn remarked.
Croagunk frowned in response.
A Moment After...
Brock woke up and they continued their journey.
"It's so embarrassing."Brock said. "But thanks guys for getting me out of there."
"Hey don't thank us, it was Croagunk that saved you."Denise admitted with a smile.
"Croagunk?"Brock said in confusion.
The heroes come across a bridge which was under construction.
"Oh no, it's under construction."Dawn said.
"Man, wonder what else can go wrong?"Ash asked.
Hippopotas then got lured into Team Rocket's balloon with the help of a fishing rod and a apple that was bait.
The four heroes gasped in shock.
"Told you we only needed the right bait!"Meowth laughed.
"Got a happy potas!"Jessie commented.
"Jess, it's Hippopotas."Meowth corrected.
"You don't read much do you?"James asked with a shrug.
"Team Rocket, give us back Hippopotas!"Ash demanded.
"Yeah, we need to bring it back to its herd now!"Denise reminded.
"Sorry, no can do, twerpette!"Jessie giggled.
Then Hippopotas uses Sand Tomb and causing the balloon to go down.
"This is no type for the beach!"Jessie complained.
"It's Hippopotas, Sand Tomb!"James replied.
"Hey that's the least of our worries!"Meowth stated.
Then the balloon crushed to the ground and Hippopotas walked back to the four heroes.
"Hippopotas, those were awsome moves!"Ash remarked.
"And very clever too."Denise added kindly.
"Stay away from out Hippo dear or you twerps will get it!"Jessie complained.
"Aipom, I choose you!"Ash stated.
His pokeball opened and Aipom came out.
"Aipom!"
"Quick use Focus Punch!"Ash ordered.
Aipom uses Focus Punch to send Team Rocket blasting off.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF ONCE AGAIN!"Team Rocket screamed as they disappeared in the sky.
"All right, let's go!"Ash commented as he placed Hippopotas in his head.
Hippopotas then releases another Yawn, this time on Dawn, making her yawn and eventually fall asleep.
"Oh my gosh, Dawn!"Denise said in shock.
The heroes continue their road with Dawn being carried on Brock's back.
"Hey mum, I won it."Dawn mumbled.
"Looks like my sister is dreaming about the contest."Denise teased.
"Really?"Ash chuckled.
"She must be eating and sleeping for contests."Brock joked.
"Hey, I would."Denise remarked.
The heroes come across another bridge, which they proceed to cross it.
"Okay, almost there."Ash said.
"Hey Ash, please be careful."Dawn yawned.
"Remember Hippopotas can't stand water."Brock reminded.
"We'll be fine."Ash assured and looked at Hippopotas. "You just hang on tight."
The heroes slowly began to walk on the bridge just before Team Rocket shows up and uses a net to capture Hippopotas.
"Oh no, you don't!"Ash stated.
He jumps on the net which breaks and they both fall into water.
"Ash!"Dawn and Denise shouted.
"Now Croagunk, go!"Brock stated.
His pokeball opened and Croagunk came out.
"Croagunk!"
"All right, Poison Sting!"Brock ordered.
Croagunk uses Poison Sting to send Team Rocket blasting off again.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"Team Rocket screamed as they once again disappeared in the sky.
In the surface, Ash and Hippopotas were struggling on a rock.
"Don't worry, I got ya!"Ash assured.
"Now Buizel go!"Dawn stated.
Her pokeball opened and Buizel came out.
Buizel goes into the water to take Hippopotas and Ash into the shore.
Dawn then dries Hippopotas with a towel with Pikachu's help while Denise handed Ash a towel to dry his head.
"Hippopotas looks sick."Denise said worriedly.
"It must because for getting all wet."Ash admitted. "Though I tried to protect it."
"Ash there's a pokemon center up ahead."Brock explained while holding his book. "Let's get Hippopotas there fast."
In the Pokemon Center...
Nurse Joy checked Hippopotas health.
"So how is Hippopotas doing?"Ash asked.
"Much better."Nurse Joy assured with a smile. "A nice long rest with lots of sand along with the medicine things will be just fine."
The four heroes sighed in relief.
"Oh that's great."Dawn admitted.
"Pika."Pikachu agreed.
The heroes return to the Center and cover Hippopotas in the sand they got, who starts recovering.
"Looks like it is all starting to work."Brock remarked.
"Yeah, Hippopotas loves to be in the sand."Denise added.
"Pika."Pikachu said quietly.
"Good are you feeling better?"Ash asked with a smile. "Just take it easy."
A While Later...
Hippopotas got recovered from its sickness.
"Look at you up on your feet."Ash commented.
"Well, I have to say with the sand you brought back worked perfectly."Nurse Joy stated while holding a bowl of pokemon food.
"So glad."Dawn agreed.
Nurse Joy bends down to give Hippopotas some food.
"Now be sure to take each bite."She reminded.
Hippopotas hungrily started eating its food.
The four heroes set off in searching of the herd again.
"That's the spirit."Denise giggled.
Brock goes up to Nurse Joy.
"Nurse Joy, I wondering if you got something to satisfy my hunger."He flirted. "Nothing will satisfy me until we stood together side by side."
Then Croagunk poison jabs him.
"Forget the standing part."Brock mumbled and collapsed.
Outside...
Ash placed the Ground Type on his head.
"Are you ready to go, Hippopotas?"He asked.
Hippopotas nodded in response.
The four heroes set off in searching of the herd again.
On their way out, they see Team Rocket who are disguised as a pair of sand salespeople.
"We've got the best dry sand on sale!"Jessie announced.
"Is that true?"Dawn asked.
"It's not only the driedest, but it has 100% of your vitamins and minerals."Jessie remarked.
Not recognizing them, Hippopotas releases another Yawn on Jessie.
"Our goal is to keep every Hippopotas happily healthy."James explained. "Our ingredients are guarantee fresh!"
"After a hard day's work with the herd there is nothing more relaxing than our sand!"Jessie commented and opened a bag. "So why don't you come over and try it out."
"If it's that good let's give it a shot."Ash suggested and placed Hippopotas down.
Hippopotas goes on the bag causing Team Rocket to close it revealing their true identity then rush to the balloon.
"We've got what we were after!"James laughed.
"Team Rocket!"Ash said angrily.
Team Rocket recite their motto.
"Listen is that a twerp I hear?"
"Its obviously loud and clear!"
"On the Wind!"
"The Stars!"
"In your ear!"
"Bringing chaos and a brick neck pace!"
"Dashing all hope putting fear in it's place!"
"A rose by any other name is just as sweet!"
"When everything is worse our work is complete!"
"Jessie! James!"
"Meowth will that's a name!"
"Putting the do gooders in their place!"
"We're Team Rocket!"
"In your face!"
Hippopotas goes out of the bag and rushes to the four heroes.
"Hippopotas is hopping away!"James panicked.
"Nice running, you'll be fine."Ash remarked.
"But what you, Team Rocket did won't be!"Denise vowed.
"Ready for trouble?"Dawn asked.
"Make it double!"Brock agreed.
Pikachu nodded. "Pika!"
"Hey no fair, Cacnea come forth!"James stated.
Cacnea comes out of its pokeball and hugged his trainer.
"Okay Turtwig, come forward!"Ash stated.
His pokeball opened and Turtwig came out.
"Turtwig!"
"Cacnea use Pin Missile!"James ordered.
Cacnea fires Pin Missile at Turtwig.
"Dodge it and use Bite!"Ash ordered.
Turtwig rushes towards Cacnea and uses Bite.
"Turtwig, Razor Leaf, let's go!"Ash ordered.
Turtwig fires Razor Leaf at Cacnea.
"Now use Tackle!"Ash ordered.
Turtwig tackles down Cacnea towards Team Rocket.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"Ash ordered.
Pikachu uses Thunderbolt and sends Team Rocket blasting off again for good.
"How sweet to be gently swept away by the special someone I hold dear."Jessie said quietly and wakes up. "Hey, this is a blast off!"
"Jessie, be careful what you wish for."James reminded.
"And don't be drowsy."Meowth added.
"ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"Team Rocket screamed as they disappeared in the sky.
The heroes heads off to find Hippopotas herd.
"This must be where they are."Brock commented.
"How can you tell?"Dawn asked. "I don't see a thing."
"Look over there!"Denise responded.
The heroes see a desert with Hippopotas footprints on it.
"Those must be Hippopotas footprints."Brock suggested.
"So I guess the Hippopotas came this way."Ash admitted.
"So now we have to do is wait."Denise answered.
Suddenly Hippopotas calls out to them, resulting in plenty of Hippopotas popping out of the soil.
"Look they are all in the sand!"Dawn said happily.
"Whoa, so many!"Denise complemented in surprise.
"Awsome!"Ash remarked.
"After all this, I should have known."Brock stated.
Ash placed Hippopotas on the sand.
"Looks like we brought you back to your buddies."Ash remarked.
Hippopotas then rushed to his herd, who were happy to see him.
"Aw, that's so sweet."Denise chuckled.
"Hippopotas, look!"Ash called out holding a fruit. "Catch!"
He tosses Hippopotas a fruit, which it gobbles down.
"You take care of yourself and don't get lost again, okay?"Ash asked.
Then Hippopotas releases another Yawn resulting in both Ash and Pikachu falling asleep.
Later that Evening...
The heroes once again proceed on their journey with a sleeping Ash being carried on Brock's back and a sleeping Pikachu in Dawn's arms.
"Well, I guess what goes around comes around."Brock said.
"I think it's Hippopotas way of saying thanks."Dawn suggested. "Ash worked so hard, he deserves a nice long rest."
"Seems kind of adorable, if you ask me."Denise joked looking at a sleeping Ash.
Brock and Dawn laugh at her complement a little bit as they continued their journey in the sunset.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter
Feel free to review what you think so far:)
Denise's Team:
Grotle (Male): Solar Beam, Heavy Slam, Razor Leaf and Bite
Eevee (Female): Water Gun, Shadow Ball, Attract and Thunder
Luxio (Male): Spark, Night Slash, Wild Charge and Ice Fang
Ralts (Female): Psychic, Double Team, Magical Leaf and Confusion
Hoot Hoot (Male): Peck, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Hypnosis
Drifloon (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish