For the love of all that is good and holy, I do not own Pokemon.
Episode 27
Viridian
Xxxxxxxxx
"Again." King swung his glowing hammer across his chest, sending shards of stone flying from the rock, then he stabbed it with a Metal Claw. The crab narrowed his eyes slightly. "Don't worry so much about the depth, it still pierced it," Ash said crossing his arms over his chest. "Your hammer is great as usual," he added smirking.
The Kingler hefted his dominant claw overhead and clicked. Hammer and Sword… I wonder what other fighting styles we can make. King's claws were now large enough to be considered mature, even though he still had another couple years of growing to do at least. The things he could do now seemed limitless. Pinching, cutting, smashing, shielding and a conduit for the crab Pokemon's elemental manipulation. Grandpa was right. The possibilities for each species are nearly endless. You just have to be willing to look.
There were some negatives to his growth though. They'd decided to call his dominant claw hammer for a few reasons. King couldn't sharpen it to the degree he could his smaller claw. It seemed to curve further inward with every day, making cutting a difficult task. Mrs. Mitchell said it was natural though, so they'd just have to make do with his left claw being his sword.
"Oi Willow! You ready to train?" The Bulbasaur grumbled something before climbing higher up her boulder. "Fine," Ash sighed while rolling his eyes. She's been doing nothing but sunbathing all day. He shrugged, he'd trust her judgement. Viridian forest had been rough on all of them. The Bulbasaur knew they had a Gym battle in this city. She knew they had a little over a year left. She probably had a good reason for sitting out. If she didn't Gore would have said something. Ash glanced at Hellfire.
The dog Pokemon gnawed on his prized mammoth bone contently. After his win yesterday he definitely deserves it. It was good for their jaws as well apparently. Grace glared at him. Ash smirked, "You win a match like that and you'll get one too." She hissed before turning back to her baby mammoth bone. "It was rather lucky, though," he murmured. Gore came to a stop next to him and grunted tiredly. Ash knelt next to his partner. The Macho Brace was another item they'd been able to purchase thanks to Hellfire.
The brace was an expensive item, but the results would be worth it. As the Pokemon grew stronger the brace would add enough resistance to make wearing it difficult again. Ash snorted. The advertisement for it had included a picture of a young Tiny and Master Bruno. He remembered staring at the picture for some time before investigating the item. It was still odd to think of the legendary Primeape as a feisty little Mankey. I guess even she had to start somewhere. Ash frowned.
"We won't be able to count on adults underestimating us for much longer." The swine gave him a blank look. "What I mean is, we can't expect someone to be dumb enough to wager that much money because they think Hellfire, or Willow, or Vul- Grace is a wimp anymore," Ash explained. "We've nearly died a few times… things are only going to get even harder from here on out." The brace came off with a snap.
The Piloswine promptly flopped onto his side, making Ash flinch. The trainer blinked when the boar activated Fury Attack. Gore huffed, his eyes becoming lidded and the Fury Attack's hue fading slightly. Then the boar growled and the move strengthened. Keep going until the bitter end right? That's just like you. Ash grinned. I'm your trainer, so I can't back down either.
"Mr. Ketchum?" a hoarse, feminine voice called with a cough.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, turning to look at the graying nurse. Her white apron had a small splotch on it that resembled blood, he noticed. There was a small scab that looked to have been healed with a potion on the back of her hand as well.
"I would like to have a word with you," Mrs. Mitchell told him. She turned and strode to the nearby bench without waiting for his answer. Ya know, it wouldn't kill you to ask every once in a while you, old witch. Gore chuffed, amused. Ash gave the boar a dirty look as he strode to sit with her.
You think me being bossed around by an old woman is funny? Ash smiled slyly. When we get home, I'm going to tell everyone about your little fight with that Golbat from the Pewter Gym. The swine froze when he saw his trainer's expression. Ash's smile widened. "You're a rather cruel boy still, little Ash," the nurse told him once he'd settled himself.
"Am not," the trainer muttered. Really that was my comeback?
"One wonders what you do to that poor creature when no one is watching," she hummed.
"Nothing weird!" Ash snapped scowling and crossing his arms over his chest. Seriously, why the hell does everyone think I'm abusive?
"Really? I find that hard to believe. I seemed to recall you once made him move a couch up a flight of stairs by himself," Mrs. Mitchell said tapping her chin thoughtfully. "And he couldn't eat until he finished correct?"
"It was a wicker couch," Ash offered averting his gaze.
"...He was two months old."
"Get to the point!"
"Fine, fine," the nurse chuckled, her lips quirking upwards, "Your temper hasn't changed much either." She turned to watch his Pokemon train. "Samuel was right. You take after his mother rather strongly." Ash winced when Willow lost her grip on her boulder with a squeak. Gore squealed in alarm as she crashed into his back. The boar sprung to his feet, glaring at everyone and everything suspiciously. "He hasn't changed either I see!" Mrs. Mitchell laughed.
God damn pig... "You aren't the type to reminisce during work hours," Ash glanced at the small burn on the nurse's neck, "What's going on?"
"Her," she responded, nodding at Willow. The saurian hopped into Ash's lap.
"Her," the trainer uttered, blinking as the grass-type position herself so that her bulb faced the sun. "What's wrong with her?" Ash inquired when the nurse nodded.
"There's nothing wrong!" Mrs. Mitchell cried glancing at his team again. Ash raised a brow. What's with her? Ash and Willow cried out in surprise when they saw Gore and Grace standing a couple yards away from them. Hellfire trotted up to them with his bone hanging out of his maw. King was subtly scooting toward them while smashing his target.
"Guys… she's fine," Ash said, holding a hand to his chest in an effort to slow his racing heart. How the hell can a Piloswine do that? He scowled when he noticed the mischievous gleam in Grace's golden eyes. Shoulda known. "Go back to your training," Hellfire whined, "Fine, five more minutes." The Houndoom panted happily before giving Ash a sloppy lick and loping away.
"What's going on then?" he asked when the other two trotted away as well. Ash winced as Gore was swiped across his snout. The Piloswine squealed before racing back to his section of the training ground. Will he ever learn? Grace hissed at his back, then created a Fire Spin around herself. She moved to her bone while eyeing the boar carefully.
"Quite the characters you have here," the nurse murmured. Mrs. Mitchell cleared her throat, "Like all females of her line she has Chlorophyll-"
"I already know that," Ash cut in. She glared at him. "Please continue," he sighed.
"Chlorophyll is a bit different from most of the other abilities," she began smoothing her red dress. Willow's ears perked up. "It is different because it fades away over time." Ash and Willow flinched. It fades? But our strategies revolve around her speed! "Hmm… perhaps it would be more apt to say it becomes a part of them and does so swiftly," she said after a moment of consideration. The trainer furrowed his brow. They become a part of them? "Many abilities can be mastered to a point they can be activated at will. Blaze, Anger Point, and Guts, are examples of this."
"Chlorophyll will, over time, adjust the user's body to store solar energy at all times without the Pokemon ordering it. With enough training they require no more Vitamin D than any other Pokemon," Mrs. Mitchell told them reaching out to pet Willow. The Bulbasaur sniffed her hand for a moment, then let the nurse rub her. "Usually Chlorophyll boosts a Pokemon's speed to three times its speed at night. Cow Bulbasaur are about twice as fast as they are at night."
"They absorb less sunlight?" Ash inquired his eyes narrowing. Their bulbs shouldn't be that small.
"Nothing like that. They use the stored sunlight in a different way," she explained, reaching into one of her many pouches slowly, "Rather than Synthesis or even greater speed, their solar energy is put into the offensive." She pulled out a small candy. Ash stiffened, his eyes widening. Solar energy into attacking power? "Yes… they've evolved to use Solarbeam masterfully," Mrs. Mitchell said, extending the candy to the Bulbasaur. The nurse smiled once she took the candy. Ash leaned back in his chair, overwhelmed. Does this mean her talent is in her Chlorophyll? Either way, this changes everything! I'll have to scrap a few strategies. Or maybe I should just start over?
Mrs. Mitchell grunted as she forced herself to stand. "As I thought Samuel wouldn't tell you such a thing, no, he's always thought his students should be entirely independent," the nurse shook her head. "I've known that man since I started here, some thirty years ago, he hasn't changed much. Still so determined to do things on his own…"
"I don't think that's a bad thing," Ash responded immediately. The nurse gave him a searching look.
"It isn't, but taking anything to an extreme is dangerous in my experience," Mrs. Mitchell murmured, her eyes glazing over. A quiet coo made her snap from her thoughts. A pink oval shaped Pokemon with rabbit like ears, a creamy white belly and large green eyes. The Wigglytuff blinked at him. She waved a short arm and smiled.
"Hello there, Giggles," Ash smiled at the ancient Wigglytuff. If she's here, then that means some Pokemon are getting carried away or something? Giggles was more than just another healing fairy. The old fairy was easily the strongest Pokemon in the center, and now that Giovanni was gone, likely in the city. Gore bellowed a greeting that the fairy returned happily. "Wait!" he called when they turned to stride away.
"Ash, it's been lovely to see you, but I have-"
"Thanks," Ash murmured before turning to watch his Pokemon's train.
"You're welcome," she responded, looking at him as though he'd said something odd. Mrs. Mitchell smiled, "Have a good day Ash."
"Yeah, you too."
Xxxxxx
Viridian city hadn't changed much in the two years or so since he'd been here. It almost reminded him of a larger version of Pallet in the less populated suburban areas. Or maybe a more lukewarm Pewter? Ash was greatly reminded of cities like Cerulean and Celadon when in the busier parts of the city. The gray sidewalks bustled with life as people and their small Pokemon navigated the city. The honking of passing cars and the occasional curse from drivers was enough to make Willow grimace at times.
It was considerably less populated than Celadon, which meant he could walk with the girls and Hellfire but it was less welcoming in some ways too. In Celadon it seemed there was a tree in front on every street, flowers in every apartment window, and Pidgey singing as they fed from bird feeders. Not to mention that gigantic greenhouse Erika adores.
Ash felt Pewter and Celadon were centuries apart. The City of Rainbows, as Celadon was sometimes called, was famous for the renewable energy it developed. In the busier parts of Pewter, that he had largely avoided, people either walked where they needed to go, or they biked, or rode a Pokemon. I guess that would make Viridian the midway point?
Ash waved at an old woman who passed him on the back of a cheerful Ponyta. There weren't many buildings that reached the sky yet, and a few of the shop owners greeted him when he walked by, but - "Guh!" the trainer covered his nose when a putrid trailer with bellowing cattle drove past them. Ash waited several seconds before uncovering himself. The trainer glanced at his Pokemon.
"Well, at least you know what grass and all that other green stuff does to the bellies of cattle," Ash said with a chuckle. Hellfire whined while Willow extended her vines to cover her nose. The trainer laughed. "Did you think it made their Razor Leaves come in faster?" Ash inquired with a teasing grin. "That eating a flower would help their Sweet Scent?"
Grace swatted his leg lightly. "Always ruining my fun… the place I wanted to show you is right up here," he uttered pointing at the restaurant, "Mrs. Smith's! Mom said it was great when she came here, and it's been getting famous." Willow scrunched up her face in thought. "You realize she hasn't always been in Hoenn, right?"
"You did think that, didn't you?" Ash snickered. The Bulbasaur puffed out her full cheeks. Hellfire panted happily. "Dunno what you're laughing about. You're the only Pokemon I've ever heard of who's gotten his head stuck in a toilet bowl before!" Hellfire whined and kicked a small rock. "Don't be a brat or you won't get any seconds," Ash warned, smirking darkly. The dog whimpered. Grace hissed quietly in a manner similar to snickering. "Ah, here we go!" Looks like we got here before the lunch rush. Mrs. Smith's was a large restaurant built from black bricks. The giant sign on the right side of the restaurant's roof displayed its name in bold red letters.
"Just the four of us," the trainer said once they reached the restaurant. The doorman glanced at his Pokemon before looking at him expectantly. "Ah, right!" Ash muttered, reaching for Dexter. He flashed the Pokedex and the man opened the door.
The Graveler next to the man glared at them suspiciously as they passed it. He tightened his hold on Hellfire's leash when red eyes appeared in the man's shadow. Ghastly? No, a Misdreavus. And there's a Pidgeotto on the streetlight half a block away too. Clever. A year ago, I wouldn't have even noticed her. He stepped through the door.
Ash shut his eyes. The moment the door shut, pleasant scents assaulted the team, beef, pork, and Oran berries were the ones he could distinguish, but he knew there were countless others. Hellfire drooled and Willow shuffled in place. Even Grace was looking as though she were straining to keep her composure as the aromas washed over her like a gentle wave.
If Gore was here my wrist would be broken. The trainer grimaced when Hellfire took a step forward, a wild gleam in his eyes and panting like he'd sprinted across the city. Ash returned the dog Pokemon immediately. "You can come out once I have the food," he told the shaking Pokeball. The red and white capsule shook twice, then calmed. It's a good thing Gore's mostly blind anyway. Pokemon could see and hear to a degree, but smell was non-existent while in their Pokeball.
Ash shuddered at the thought of the boar being able to smell Mrs. Smith's kitchen. The doorman and his Graveler would die horrific deaths if they got between Gore and food. A hungry Piloswine made a bloodthirsty Houndoom look as gentle as Giggles. He checked his partner's orb. The trainer sighed once he saw the boar was sleeping. He could probably sleep through a hurricane right now. Willow poked his belly urgently. "Right, right, we should find a seat," Ash muttered tugging on the bill of his hat. Grace poked his leg.
The trainer regarded her with a grunt. The Vulpix pointed past the black booths of other customers. A small hand darted above the head of an unusually tall dark-skinned fellow. Ash blinked. A familiar pink scarf flapped above the man's shoulder. "That's-" Grace tugged him hard enough to make him stumble. Willow nudged him too. "Fine! Fine!" he cried as he led them toward the hopping girl. "Oh, yeah! You should go in too," Ash said. Willow glanced at the line nervously before nodding.
"How've ya been?" Janine chirped, "We've been great! Gary's got seven badges now and Crowie evolved!" she told him as she bent down to greet his Grace.
Well, I was attacked by an Onix who's descended from this "Prehnite" guy that a weirdly strong Clefable is friends with. The same Clefable thinks the League could be destroyed, and I don't know what to do with that. Then I got lost in that cursed forest for so long that Gore overheated and couldn't use his ice, then there's this Pinsir using lunatic who tried to rob a little kid. And a swarm of Beedrill decided to murder Hellfire and Grace, for no real reason other than their typing. Which means we all had to fight them off of course. "I've been good," Ash decided with a shrug. "King's been a Kingler for a little over a year now," he added running his fingers over the crab's capsule.
"Oh?" she blinked. "That's great!" the kunoichi beamed. Ash raised a brow. Girls think differently after all. Ah well, I can still goad Gary later. "Hey Ash! Hold this for me!" Janine told him while extending a small piece of paper. He blinked. "Wait extra bloody Tauros steak? What the hell is this?" Ash muttered. Vulpix's ears shot up faster than her Quick Attack. "We don't eat Pokemon." Her ears fell. Willow cooed, relieved. Ash rolled his eyes before turning back to Janine.
"What's this supposed to be?" Ash demanded, looking up from the sheet. In the kunoichi's place was an Ivysaur plushy. On it was another note. Need to go to the bathroom. Thanks for getting the food! "Well, we're getting the food then," Ash sighed and took the kunoichi's place in line. The brown-haired woman who had been behind Janine glared at him.
The trainer held up Hellfire's Pokeball when she drew breath. The woman's small Meowth hissed at them. "I'll tell my Piloswine your Meowth is his dinner," the boy added as he reached for his trainer's belt. Meowth squeaked before burrowing its face in the woman's shoulder. The woman glared, but took a step back. Ash turned around with a huff. "You could have helped." Grace glanced at him disinterestedly, then went back to preening her paws.
After far too much time standing in a line that stretched far too long, Ash was able to place their orders. "Did she mention where they were sitting?" he asked, turning to Grace. The Vulpix's eyes narrowed. She yapped. "Didn't think so," Ash muttered. He scowled as he scoured the restaurant for his brother. No Pokemon? Ash's eyes widened when he saw the sign above the door on the restaurant's side. Trainer's Court. Has it really been that long since I ate out? "C'mere." The Vulpix hissed annoyed as he tugged her to the door.
Grace glared at him until she saw the door. She huffed, but increased her pace. The trainer did a double take. Did… did she just read the sign? Ash's eyes darted between the vixen and the glowing red sign. No, she might be smart enough, but with her personality, her a year isn't enough time.
Ash flinched and Grace hissed as the blaring sun assaulted their vision. He blinked rapidly in an effort to remove the yellow spots from his eyes. A dog Pokemon barked furiously and his eyes snapped open. A little orange and black dog to his right bared its teeth. Grace hissed back, but to his shock, could barely open one of her eyes.
The Growlithe's trainer barked a command at it, but the dog ignored it. King materialized in a flash of scarlet. Growlithe yelped, slamming his three nailed paws into the ground. The Kingler eyed the dog disinterestedly. Growlithe, who Ash now realized stood at about a fourth the height a mature Growlithe should be, whimpered. The trainer patted King's shell. "Sorry for making a shield outta you."
King glanced at him irritably. Counting Samurai this was the second time in three days the crab had been called out in such a situation. "Sorry," Ash offered his eye twitching. The Kingler hissed. Growlithe began to whine again when Grace glared at him balefully.
"I'm so sorry!" the Growlithe's owner, a balding man of considerable height, said, "This is his first time out and his first time meeting another fire-type," the man explained lifting the pup by his nape onto one of his broad shoulders. "He didn't hurt them at all, right?"
"They're fine, and don't worry about it. Everyone has a rough first step," Ash responded shrugging. "What? Don't give me that look. No one got hurt, so drop it." Grace growled, the fur on the back of her neck raising before continuing to glare at the pup. He waved off the Silver-level Gym Trainer and his Slowbro. This must be a pretty popular place to need two Silver-Levels here. Even more impressive since they're from Viridian's Gym. The doorman was likely a Yellow-Level trainer from the Gym as well.
"My partner's a Swinub, so I understand," Ash continued. He received a look of sympathy from the balding man. Grace yipped, her anger forgotten in favor of Gore possibly being teased. After a final apology from the older trainer, and a half-hearted whine from what was likely his child's first Pokemon, the Slowbro and its trainer returned to their seats.
"Do. Not. Provoke. It," Ash hissed. King gurgled and gave him an innocent look. The trainer recalled him. He was not going to prison because King wanted to fight a well-trained Slowbro. Although… It would be a great fight. Silver level was the highest of the ranks a trainer could achieve within cities other than the 1st trainer, the chief of police, and the Gym Leader, so the man had to have been fairly experienced. "Do you think we could take one of them," the trainer inquired.
The Vulpix narrowed her eyes, considering the Slowbro and Butterfree carefully before snorting. Maybe? At his raised brow, she lifted her paw to Gore and King's capsules. Ash hummed. They could for sure, but she doesn't know if she, Willow and Hellfire can? The gap in strength between the team had shrunk drastically, though Gore and King were still far more powerful than the others. Gore and King's work ethic and love of fighting meant that getting the group to stand shoulder to shoulder would probably take another year at the least.
What does it say about me that there's still this gap? I've raised Gore his whole life and King is talented but shouldn't a great trainer have a closer gap between team members? He blinked. Karen and Hellfang excluded. Ash shook his head. He could worry about that later. He needed to find a seat first.
The trainer's court of the restaurant was rather simple. The trainers themselves, sat underneath large, white umbrellas while their Pokemon lounged around them on the grass. There was a sizeable pool on each side of the about thirty-yard court for Pokemon that needed to be in water, and a few bag dispensers for any droppings. Having so many Pokemon out at once was excellent for business, but it could be risky.
There were always going to be trainers who brought their Pokemon out to eat before they were ready. In some instances, a predatory Pokemon could be eating peacefully and they would be attacked by herbivores whose instincts had overcome their reason. Because of these factors Gym Trainers were a necessity for any Pokemon friendly restaurant.
His mother had often been frustrated that the mayor of Pallet still felt it had no need of a Gym. Without a Gym, Delia would have to turn to trainers who were much less experienced to make her Gym open to Pokemon. That step would be necessary if she wanted to reach the upper echelon of her industry. Ash wasn't always fond of the mayor.
Grace tapped his thigh. "It's just like you to cause a commotion the moment you come in," Gary said crossing his arms over his chest.
"Hmph, it's just like you to stand and watch your only brother get charged by a Pokemon without backing him up," Ash retorted with a snort.
"I knew it'd be fine. Besides, I have a nicer sister," he shrugged.
"Asshole."
"Pig handler," Gary responded before turning around and gesturing for Ash to follow.
"You enjoy this don't you?" Grace gave him an innocent look. Too bad there's a demon behind that cute face. Actually, that might be true for most girls. "Yo!" Ash greeted. Aria and Saur waved back while Eevee, and Crowie squeaked. Hopper's too big to be out now? Makes sense, King's at least twenty times heavier than when he was a Krabby. The trainer and his Vulpix froze when Tunnels raised a large paw in greeting. "He's the size of a young capybara! What the hell have you been feeding him?" Ash demanded as the other boy took his seat. The mole had to be at least a couple feet tall and was as wide as a small man.
"He finds his own food," Gary shrugged. Tunnels padded up to him, prompting Grace to shift into a defensive stance. The giant mole Pokemon regarded him for a moment with large brown eyes. Then two heads popped out of his sides. Ash cried backpedaling and Grace leaped several feet into the air. Tunnels chortled and Aria hooted, clapping her hands together. Gary snorted. "Running from a mole?" he asked, smirking.
"S-shut up!" Ash snapped panting lightly. Saur gave the mole a dark look that Ash had thinking he'd been on the receiving end of the joke too. Grace's golden eyes became slits. "No!" Ash knelt quickly and pinned her by the nape. The vixen hissed. "If you don't calm down, you'll have to wait to get your food like Gore and King!" Ash snapped wincing. Her body temperature is raising too much. Grace stiffened before narrowing her eyes. "It was a joke," he said rising.
Tunnels eyed the fuming vixen with suspicion. Aria hooted and the mole trotted back to her side. The Magmar glared at the Vulpix receiving one in return. Saur growled quietly, forcing the fire-types to lower their temperature. "We're awfully proud aren't we," Gary murmured watching Grace carefully.
"You have no idea," Ash sighed in relief when he sat. "Never tell her she'll get fat if she doesn't stop eating," the trainer warned shuddering. And never compare her eating habits to Gore's. "You do not want to test her."
"I believe you," Gary said, glancing at him. "Ash… there's something we need to talk about," he began glancing at him nervously. The trainer's brow rose. Gary nervous? After the incident with the Scyther he'd become far less arrogant, and even shy for a brief time. Ash hadn't seen him nervous since he'd moved past the attack. "Where to start, well, here," he shoved a newspaper and a large book he'd grabbed from beneath the table into Ash's hands.
"Ya know, I get that I didn't exactly study as much as I explored, but I don't think this is worth being dramatic over," Ash pointed out while unfurling the newspaper.
"Wha- no! Just look at the paper!" Gary snapped facepalming.
"Fine, fine," the trainer shrugged. "I still think you're turning into Daisy though." His brother huffed and rolled his eyes. The headline read: Legendary Fossil Pokemon sited over Grandpa Canyon! The picture depicted a great, gray flying beast with a tail that ended in an arrow like shape and two horns on the back of its head. "Aerodactyl?" Ash breathed. "A wild Aerodactyl in Kanto," he leaned back in his chair a dazed look in his eyes. Aerodactyl was arguably the strongest of the fossil Pokemon, and was easily the most prized of them.
According to legend, the Sinnoh region was on the verge of being destroyed by dragons that ruled, space, time, and the realm of ghosts. Wherever the Dragon of Time and Steel soared buildings aged to the point they collapsed. The Dragon of Space and Water created portals that could reflect a Pokemon's attack at their allies. The Dragon of Shadows and Chaos would have attacks pass through it one second, then unleash draconic techniques of a strength that equaled the Dragon King, who eventually slew it. They were more than Pokemon; they were virtually gods in the flesh. They were unstoppable.
Until the Grand Tamer and his team; an Aerodactyl, Clefable, and Empoleon challenged them. His mother told him the events of the story happened three-thousand years ago. He'd almost dismissed it as a folk tale long ago. His grandfather often told him that all legends had a grain of truth to them. He hadn't understood the professor's disappointment. A part of Ash had assumed the eccentric old man's sanity was becoming even more questionable. But there's the Blank Century.
The Blank Century was the eighty-eight-year period the people of Sinnoh had very few records on. What was known was that a hero and his team of three stopped a great catastrophe that had nearly destroyed the region. Unless a master-level leader was there, Hellfang and The Fog could easily destroy a city's Gym if they wanted to. It wasn't absurd to think three feuding Pokemon of that level could destroy a region.
"Right and that's not all," Gary said, pointing to the picture beneath it. A horde of Pokemon that had brown shells that strongly resembled a dome, glowing red eyes, and four yellow legs. Kabuto. His eyes widened. Even a few Kabutops! On the top of the right corner of the photo was a white shell that resembled a snail's. That's… an Omanyte? There were a few flocks of Aerodactyl in Sinnoh that many claimed were descended from the partner of their greatest hero. The others were supposed to be completely extinct.
"This isn't the only oddity either. When Janine found out the Great Kangaskhan left Fuschia she-"
"Reminded you of what happened the time you ratted her out to a nurse." Ash stiffened to the point his neck hurt. Aria squawked, flailing wildly and falling onto her back. Tunnels sprang up with his claws glowing. Saur's eyes twitched. Grace snickered until Ash snapped to her while baring his teeth in a snarl. "I always get great reactions!" the kunoichi laughed as she leaned over his brother's chair.
"Handled it with great dignity," Gary murmured a blush coming to his cheeks. Ash stared at the pair wide-eyed. What the hell did she do to him?
"She most certainly did!" Janine agreed, sliding into the chair next to his brother. "We're letting him know 'bout the weird stuff," she said sounding approving. "Neat. If all of us ask, I'm sure we'll get one of them to spill the beans." A pink, quadrupedal Pokemon that stood noticeably taller than Tunnels, but was not nearly as broad and had a long white tipped tail nudged her leg. Ash's brows rose. Damn it, there's a ninja Slowpoke now?
"Get back to what you were going to say a minute ago!" Ash snapped rubbing his temple. Living fossil Pokemon just showed up? So they weren't extinct? Or did they just escape from a restoration center?
"Right, um," Gary began coughing into his fist, "Hellfang, his pack, and every wild fire and dark-type they come across, migrated to the wilds between Kanto and Sinnoh."
"Including that gigantic pack of vixen with a really strong Ninetales!" Janine put in rubbing the Slowpoke's snout. Crowie narrowed her eyes and hurried over to them, using the tips of her wings like front legs. The small Golbat butted her trainer's hand until Janine scratched her behind her ears. The kunoichi hummed, "I think they found them a few miles from Mt. Moon? She's something for sure. She leads a pack that has at least five Ninetales in it! And we heard from Uncle that Tiny had a hard time with her." Ash choked and Grace's ears perked up.
"Master Bruno did say Tiny had a fever just a day before that though," Gary said making Ash choke again and Grace's eyes bulge. That's the strongest Primeape ever for you, I guess. Even Hellfang would have to try to beat her. The brown-haired boy glanced at him with a brow raised. Ash waved him off. "Lately there have been skirmishes between Hellfang's super herd and the giant Onix of Mt. Hideaway," Gary continued
"He's hunting stone snakes?" the trainer's brow furrowed. Onix had no flesh for the carnivorous fire-types to feed upon. Even their digestive system was made of rock. After a moment, it hit him. "The Pokemon the giant Onix are protecting," Ash muttered. The others nodded, their expressions grim. The Onix of the Mt. Hideaway chain that linked Kanto and Sinnoh against Hellfang's army of dark and fire Pokemon? That would mean he has Sneasel and maybe weaker Tyranitar under his protection as well, so there's no telling how things will go down. Ash shuddered.
Hellfang wasn't willing to hunt what he saw as pups and he probably wouldn't hunt adults, if only for Karen's sake, but those titanic Onix wouldn't care. They'd kill as many as they needed to feed the Geodude in their care if it came to it. There wasn't a force on earth that could resolve this catastrophe without civilian casualties. "Why?"
"We don't know, but I think we all know someone who does," Gary uttered. Janine looked up to the sky with wonder. "I meant my grandfather," he explained, rubbing his temples. She blinked. Then she beamed
"Food's coming!" she cried, jumping to her feet and sending the Slowpoke rolling onto its back. "Sorry, Duchess!" Janine told the Pokemon while bending to help her up. Duchess gave her an annoyed look. She's not a young Slowpoke after all. Younger members of the species were about as intelligent as a rock. They even forgot to respond to pain at times.
Even Gore had never been that simple, and he'd tried to eat a rock because it had hot sauce on it. "She, uh, seems a bit more easily distracted than I remember," Ash whispered.
"You haven't a clue," Gary sighed.
Xxxxxxxxx
We're nearing the end of part one! In case you haven't guessed I'm a bit burned out, that's why i've been taking longer to update, so I'll be taking time off to write another story. Because I don't actually do breaks. I'm an addict. Feed the addiction.