I own nothing here, please support the official release!

Episode 10: A Nightly Stroll

xxxxx

Most people go on their journey, and the worst thing that happens is they run into a Magmar or something, but we get a criminal organization with dreams of conquering our region. Ash rubbed his forehead with his index finger, and patted his partner with his other hand. Gore snorted and nudged him. "I'll go to sleep in a bit buddy," he told the boar while staring at the cloudy night sky. The Piloswine narrowed his eyes at him, as though he was trying to see through him before lying back down on his side.

Tomorrow morning they would discuss the situation in Lavender. Ash has wanted to talk the moment they were able but Gary and his team had been too exhausted to stay awake after dinner. He glanced at his brother. There were small rips in his pant legs and a gaping hole in his shirt, but other than that the boy hadn't changed much. The familiarity was a bit comforting, though he didn't fully understand why.

Perhaps it was because he hadn't seen his mother or sister in over three months, and had only seen his grandfather on the video phone. He felt his chest tighten at the thought. Ash missed home cooked meals, swimming with Wave in the bay, he even missed Acaya's over affection and his mother making him clean. Being a trainer was everything he had ever wanted, but he still missed Pallet.

Regardless of whatever happens tomorrow, I'm going home for a while. We can train with Gramps for a bit too, so we don't fall behind schedule. He nodded and rubbed his eyes. Gore snorted and poked him with a hoof again. Ash sighed and moved to lean against the boar. He smiled when the Piloswine relaxed immediately. It was still so hard to believe that this was the tiny piglet that he had woken up to more than five years ago.

His partner stiffened and growled quietly. Ash's eyes snapped open. "Quiet, you'll wake the others," he told the boar stroking his side soothingly. Gore grunted urgently and nudged him. "There's something out there," the trainer whispered as he rose slowly. The boar moved Bulbasaur off his side with a hoof gently and rose as well. "Lead me to it," Ash instructed as he glanced around the camp.

Crowie, Saur, and Hopper were curled up together next to Janine's pink tent fast asleep. Aria and Vulpix were resting on the other side of the camp with their tails in the fire. Gary and the Cubone that was with him, but apparently didn't belong to him, were resting a few yards away from them in Gary's tent. Ash sighed quietly. Didn't wake any of them.

Gore snorted and shuffled. "Let's go," he told the impatient boar as the Piloswine scurried out of their camp. Ash tiptoed after him with a final glance at his team.

"Have you locked onto it," he asked after they had been walking for a few minutes. He glanced around at the trees around them suspiciously. Ash had spent more time than was responsible exploring the corral at night, but walking at night in the woods near a town known for ghosts was something else entirely. The boy half-expected a Gengar to jump out of every other shadow. He shuddered and tugged on the bill of his hat. Gore grunted a denial and lowered his nose to the ground again.

"If you don't find it soon we're going back," Ash muttered tugging on the bill of his hat. The swine chuffed low to the ground, dislodging dirt, and hopefully allowing the boar to find what he was looking for.

The trainer stiffened when he heard his friend growl. He nearly jumped when a bush a few yards in front of them rustled. Gore's growl deepened as a black form with an orange muzzle and white bone like rings around the bottom of its legs pushed through the bush. The layer of bone on its head, and the two lines of bone running along the dog's back made it easy to identify. The beast was a Houndour that was closer to the size of a young Houndoom. "Gore, calm down," Ash murmured as he fell to a knee. The sun glared at his partner, but stopped growling.

"C'mere," the trainer whispered extending a hand. The dog sniffed the air and glanced around the area carefully before trotting to the boy slowly. It froze and crouched when the Piloswine pawed at the ground. "He's not going to hurt you," Ash said quietly as he stroked Gore's side gently. The boar gave the dog a look that said the opposite, then glanced away when Ash turned to him. Houndour eyed the giant pig suspiciously as it crept toward the boy.

"You're the guy from earlier aren't you?" the raven-haired child asked as the dog came within arm's reach. He smiled slightly when Houndour nuzzled his hand. Why is he alone? No matter what a dog's nature is, they're still social creatures, they need to be with others to be happy. "Where are the Nidos you were with?" Ash asked as he rubbed the fire-type behind his ear.

Houndour blinked at him and tilted his head to the side. "The ones that you fought with," he explained. The canine blinked again before snorting and licking his hand. I wonder if they just happened to be near each other when the Rockets attacked them? "Do you sense anything else?" Ash inquired, glancing at Gore. The boar grunted without taking his eyes off of the dog. As I thought he's really alone. There's only one reason he would be alone. He felt his chest ache at the thought.

Dog Pokemon had been known to fall into depressions that they never recovered from after losing their pack. Ash bit his lip and gave the canine a considering look. I don't really need another fire-type. But, Vulpix will never be able to keep up with the power the boy's possess, not to mention the power Bulbasaur will have as a Venasaur. With great effort he suppressed the urge to grin at the thought of having a Piloswine, Kingler, Ninetales, and a Venusaur on his team. Given his size he won't have an issue with frailty either. After a moment he nodded.

"Would you like to have a pack?" Ash asked, licking his lips. Houndour's light brown eyes lit up and he panted excitedly. "Then why don't you come with me?" the trainer offered, reaching into one of his many pockets. The black dog stiffened and eyed him carefully as he drew a Pokeball and his Pokedex. Ash held the items up for the dog to sniff. "One of these will help me make you stronger, and the other will be where you stay until I can let you out," he explained when Houndour examined Dexter and the capsule. "This is my Pokedex, it calls itself Dexter apparently, and it'll tell me what kind of things to teach you and what you already know," he elaborated further after a heartbeat.

Houndour yipped and sat on his haunches. "This won't hurt a bit," the trainer told the dog as he patted the Pokemon lightly. "Houndour the Dark Pokemon. Houndour travel in packs and communicate through barks to surround their prey. This Houndour is male and is two years old. He knows the moves, Ember, Bite, Odor Sleuth, and Flame Burst." "Odor Sleuth and Flame Burst," the boy muttered narrowing his eyes.

Odor Sleuth was a technique that could not only locate Ghosts, it also allowed the user to hit them without the power of an element. The ability to hit 'em is going to be a bit unneeded in the future though. Powerful dark Pokemon's bodies had such immense dark energy flowing through them that they didn't need to use elements to hurt ghosts. Of course, Houndour wasn't that powerful, so the move's second application was still very useful. But he will be someday if I have anything to say about it.

Flame Burst wasn't an incredible technique by any means. It was just a ball of fire that exploded on contact, but the level of fire manipulation involved was beyond most Houndour. Either he's brilliant, or something taught it to him. After a moment he shrugged. Doesn't matter, I guess. He has it.

"That's a good boy," Ash told the dog with a smile - again careful to avoid showing his teeth - as he patted the dog. Gore whined and nudged him hard enough to nearly knock the boy over. "You're good too, Gore," the trainer said with a laugh as he nudged the boar back. He grimaced when the Piloswine gave him a sloppy lick. That's never gonna change, is it? "This, will be your Pokeball," he explained as he primed the orb. The dog flinched and eyed the expanding capsule warily.

"It's just getting ready for you," Ash explained with a smirk. The dog Pokemon relaxed but continued to stare at the Pokeball as though he were expecting it to attack him at any moment. "I'll let you out when it's time to eat," the trainer promised as he pressed the ball to the dog's nose. Houndour disappeared in a scarlet light before being sucked into the capsule. The ball shook several times, before the dog realized it wasn't hurting him and relaxed. "Number five," Ash said as he patted his partner's side. Gore snorted and licked the orb.

"Let's get on back to camp. We need to get to sleep, we'll have a busy day tomorrow," Ash told his friend as he rose. Gore grunted an agreement before lowering his nose to the ground. "You forgot where camp is didn't ya?" The Piloswine ignored his grin and trotted away with his nose glued to the ground.

xxxx

"The League really needs to make having a Gym mandatory thing for every town," Ash muttered as he rubbed his temples. The regular gyms paled in comparison to the Eight, but they still would have several adult Pokemon under their control. The Rockets were dangerous, but surely even they would think twice about messing with a town protected by a few Ursaring.

"Yeah, Daddy and my Uncles say the same thing all the time," Janine said with a nod.

"Daddy," Ash repeated with a snicker.

"I-I meant Dad!" the girl snapped hiding her face in her scarf.

"Su~re," Ash sang patting Gore's side.

"Guys, I think we should focus on the situation at hand," Gary said giving them dry looks. The boy cleared his throat when they turned back to him. "As I was saying, Mr. Fuji was the only one who could fight so when he realized he couldn't win, he gave me a few of his Pokemon and sent me to go get help while he stalled them," the boy explained as he drew a two worn Pokeballs and one new one.

"So why didn't you use them?" Janine asked furrowing her brow.

"These are Marowak," Gary explained, holding up the two worn Pokeballs.

"Well, that explains that then," Ash muttered rolling his eyes. Gore snorted an agreement before returning to his staring contest with Houndour. I still can't believe those two get along so well. He glanced at Vulpix, who was curled up with Aria next to the fire. The vixen was looking at Houndour with a baleful gleam in her golden eyes. His life may be in danger. At least she likes Aria. Bulbasaur snorted from her place in his lap and looked up at him confusedly. "They're a small race in an area ruled by guys bigger than our Gore. In order to survive the harsh world they live in they became vicious…. Even to things that couldn't possibly hurt them," he explained glancing into her now horrified pink eyes.

"Still, we're gonna need them," Janine mumbled leaning back onto Saur's side. "We need to get into Lavender, and the only way we're gonna be able to do that is by going under the city's walls," she continued when Ash and Gary gave her confused looks.

"There are over a hundred Rockets," Gary said, staring at the girl as though she were insane. Ash smirked when he saw Aria's eyes light up.

"Yeah, but it's like two-hundred miles ta Saffron-

"Two-hundred and twenty-six," Ash corrected.

"And Hopper's max is like, uh, thirty miles per hour with me on her back, and I don't know any other towns near here," Janine continued as though Ash hadn't interrupted her.

"She has a point," Ash conceded rubbing his chin. "But there's no way a couple of Marowak'll be willing to work with people they doesn't know," he continued glancing at Gore. If only he or King had Ancient Power.

"S~o," Janine intoned turning to Gary.

"I don't ha-," Aria hooted and shook her head emphatically. "I have a Diglett, and an Eevee with Dig, and the Cubone might be willing to help," the brown-haired boy admitted looking pained.

"It's settled!" Janine chirped as she patted Saur's head.

"Gary, was there a blue-haired guy with a Growlithe there? Or a redhead with an Arbok?" Ash asked, tugging on the bill of his hat. Gore and Bulbasaur stiffened and turned to give Gary their full attention. For the first time since breakfast, King crawled out of the puddle he had created. The crab gave Ash a click then turned to Gary with a glare. Houndour blinked, confused by the change in his playmate

"Yeah, actually, there was, they had Meowth and a Lickitung too," Gary answered averting his eyes from the team's suddenly intense gazes.

"Then count us in," Ash muttered with a snarl reminiscent of Gore's and a vengeful gleam in his brown eyes.

"Wait a minute!" Gary cried, drawing another Pokeball. "My Abra can teleport me to the nearest settlement!" he continued with a relieved smile.

"Wait, you have an Abra? Why the hell didn't you use Teleport to get away from the Rockets?" Ash demanded with narrowed eyes.

"She got hit by a Murkrow, and I couldn't exactly grab my potions while they were attacking us!" Gary snapped back. Aria puffed her chest out and glared at Ash, a threat Gore and King were all too happy to return.

"Stop it!" Janine snapped. "We need to work together to get through this!" Saur hissed quietly, making Bulbasaur hide her face in Ash's chest and King and Aria stiffen. Vulpix and Houndour shifted awkwardly when Gore turned to glare at the impressive Ivysaur. Janine patted Saur's neck and Ash grabbed Gore by his ear.

"Let it go," the boy said quietly.

"Teleporting won't work here anyway," Janine added with a sigh.

"Why not?" Gary asked, his tone nearly challenging.

"Cuz nothing can Teleport anywhere around Lavender," Janine answered, her tone making it seem as though it should have been obvious.

"Aria can," Gary countered with a scowl. Ash gave the small Magmar a considering look. She had used Teleport at least twice by his count, but she'd also tired, so quickly that she couldn't avoid an Icy Wind.

"She's a Magmar," Janine responded with a shrug. She blinked when they still looked confused. "Magmar, can learn Dark and Ghost-type moves, so the incredibly strong ghostly energy doesn't bother them as much when they Teleport," she explained in a didactic tone. "A member of the Abra line might die if they tried." Gary paled and clutched the Abra's Pokeball tighter.

"What do we do after we get into Lavender? I doubt the Rockets are just gonna let us into the Pokemon center," Ash said leaning onto Gore again.

"Your Houndour is really big, he's the one from yesterday right?" Janine began giving the black dog a considering look.

"Yeah," Ash responded slowly.

"He's really big," she continued narrowing her eyes.

"Are you going somewhere with this?" Gary cut in rolling his eyes. The boy flinched when Saur glared at him.

"Maybe he's special or maybe…."

"Maybe what?" Ash demanded, ignoring Saur's glare. In the short time he had been a trainer he had had seen far worse than a bull Ivysaur.

"He might be a part of Hellfang's pack," Janine said with a nod. "When my sis died, her Houndoom was released around here and took charge over the Houndour around here," she added when she saw they didn't understand.

"Why would that affect Houndour?" Ash inquired furrowing his brow. "I wasn't calling you buddy," he said when the dog turned to him.

"Pokemon that live with really amazing Pokemon tend to become strong themselves," Janine explained. "Like the giant Onix of Mt. Hideaway are so big because the Onix King himself used ta live there and affected those Onix's ancestors," she finished rubbing her chin.

"And what makes you think your sister's Houndoom is that strong?" Gary asked with a snort.

"Cuz she was the champion," Janine answered with her chin high.

"By the Sky God, your "sister" is Karen," Ash muttered his eyes wide. "Then that means Hellfang is the Houndoom that wiped the floor with Elite Four Ace's Pokemon?" he continued with a dazed look in his eyes. Usually, when a new Champion was selected they had to prove themselves by fighting with a member of the Elite Four or their predecessor. A six on six full battle with no time limit in front of a hundred thousand people and televised to the entirety of the United League. Then Champion Bruno had opted to forego the near millennia old tradition and gave the title to his daughter at the United Conference.

Many had been furious with his dismissal of the tradition, but none angrier than Ace Blackthorn. The patriarch of the Blackthorn clan had flown to the Indigo Plateau and demanded a battle of the young Champion. Ash didn't exactly know what else happened, all he knew was that Karen had accepted the challenge. The Dragon Master had won three of the five rounds, he seemed to have been on his way to a decisive victory. Then Karen released her partner.

It had been over six years ago, but Ash remembered the beast as though it was yesterday. The Houndoom stood taller than any Arcanine and was twice as wide. Where most Houndoom had horns that curved back, it's horns shot up and ended in two points that looked as though they could pierce anything. Shielding the great dog was an armor of bone that began near his throat and seemed to spike out in every direction. He was utterly magnificent. Ash respected Master Ace for refusing to back down even in front of such a beast.

Still, the battles that followed were little more than a slaughter.

"Please don't tell Master Bruno about what I did earlier," Gary pleaded covering his face with his hands.

"You mean chickening out?" Janine asked, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Now, Ash could see how Gaari had accepted the girl as her trainer.

"Yes that!" Gary snapped. "Please?" he pleaded again with a weak smile.

"I think we should focus on the whole Hellfang thing," Ash interrupted raising a hand. As much fun as it was to see his brother humiliated like this they had more important things to deal with at the moment. Like the incredibly powerful criminal organization less than three miles away from us with virtually every advantage one could want. "Where do you figure he is?" he inquired, turning to face Janine.

"He's been captured," She responded with a shrug. She snickered as Ash and Gary gaped at her. "Sis is buried in Lavender, Hellfang wouldn't let anything happen to her grave," the girl finished in a mumble as she averted her eyes.

"Why not just kill him then?" Ash asked quietly as he rubbed Bulbasaur's side. The saurian wrapped her front legs around one of his making him smile.

"I dunno," Janine responded with a furrowed brow.

"Because he's Karen's partner," Gary muttered stroking his chin. He continued, when they turned to him with looks of confusion. "Master Bruno wouldn't be able to go all out on his beloved daughter's partner, and I'm guessing his team will feel the same way. If they control Hellfang they can beat Master Bruno."

"And with Lady Lorelei in the Sevii Islands there's no one in the League who can stand up to Hellfang," Ash added, his eyes wide in horror. Master Ace was strong, but the man was nearly sixty and his team wasn't much younger. Master Koga's poison would be worthless against a dark-type. There's no way Koga, the idiot, or the Eight could defeat Hellfang in a fair fight. Something cold settled in his belly when another realization settled. The only one not associated with the League that could beat that demon would be Gramps, so they'll try and get rid of him too! Judging by his pale face Gary had come to the same conclusion.

"My Dad could," Janine argued with a pout. Saur gave her a long suffering look.

"I'm sure he could, but I don't think even Master Bruno could win against a legendary Pokemon without his head in the game," Ash muttered holding Bulbasaur a bit tighter.

"You think-" the girl's question was cut off by her laughter. "My Dad isn't Uncle Bruno, my Dad's Master Koga!" Janine explained between laughs.

"I'm so confused," Gary confessed wide-eyed. Ash just shrugged. He had heard that many of the leaders of the Eight were close from Daisy. It wasn't much of stretch that she'd be close enough for her to call Karen her sister.

"How did they catch him anyway?" he asked furrowing his brow. The Rockets he had fought had been weak at best. Discounting the Nidoking they had apparently been given, even Jessie and James didn't have anything as strong as Gore on their teams. And that was over a month and a half ago.

"Even a Dragonite can be defeated by an Ekans if they're caught off guard," Gary lectured with a nod.

"Quit quoting the old man!" Ash snapped, glaring at his brother.

"He has a point, though," Janine admitted, rubbing her chin. "Houndoom really like deer, so they probably lured him in by killing one," she added with a nod. The girl rose quickly. "We can plan while we walk."

"Sounds about right," Ash muttered pinching the bridge of his nose. Many species were just as intelligent as humans. Dog Pokemon were not among them when food was concerned. He groaned. That actually kinda sounds like something that Gore would fall for. The boy shook his head vigorously. He would have to deal with that at some point.

"I'll let you out when I need you," Ash muttered as he recalled Houndour, Vulpix, and King. He received a happy whuff from Houndour and an understanding click from King. Vulpix merely huffed and stretched a final time before being consumed by the scarlet light. "You're never not gonna have an attitude are you," he muttered as he attached her capsule to his belt. "You'll be with me," Ash told Bulbasaur. She crooned and climbed onto his shoulder as he rose.

"Gore," he mumbled as he turned to face his partner. The boar snorted with a stubborn gleam in his brown eyes. "You know you're too big," Ash said, crossing his hands over his chest. The Piloswine grunted and turned away from him. The trainer sighed and rubbed his temples. Five Pokemon and only two aren't difficult! "Tell ya what, when we find those two, I'll let you fight the Nidoking," he offered as he fell to a knee next to the swine.

He smirked when his partner twitched. "I promise I'll be fine, so just this once, make my job easier?" he requested as he held up the boar's Pokeball. Gore turned to him with an unusually serious look and his jaw set. "We'll be fine," Ash repeated patting the boar's side. The Piloswine stared at him for a moment before licking him and Bulbasaur. "Ya just can't help yourself," Ash said with a twitching brow. The boar butted him playfully as he was recalled.

"Ready?" Janine asked with a grin.

"Yeah," Gary answered with clenched fists.

"Of course!" Ash responded with a smirk.

xxxxx

A.N.

I think I'll call them episodes now.

Sorta surprised by the Houndour love. I had always planned on adding him anyway though, so it works out. The whole point in that Dexter section on the dark-types actually.

Also surprised Vs Erika is my most popular chapter. I thought people hated her. Maybe I made her more likable?