Omarnosian10: How long has it been since my last update?
Georgia: A little over a week.
Omarnosian10: Nice!
Darwin: It probably helps that this chapter is shorter than the others and no 'otherworldy guests' are making a cameo here.
Omarnosian10: True. Don't worry people, they will make an appearance again next chapter, albeit in a flashback format.
Ash: Spoiler alert.
Omarnosian10: I never said who the flashback belongs to.
Ash: Touché.
Omarnosian10: To answer the unspoken question of why I brought Georgia into this story, it's partly because of Pogona104's "Gible Involvement" stories, both the original and the rewrite.
Georgia: Really?
Omarnosian10: Yeah, and another is because I don't want Ash's Unova girl to be that grape-headed eyesore.
Ash: HA! Because her name is part of an eye! Nice one!
Omarnosian10: Thank you!
Georgia: While I'm happy that you share the same hatred of her as me, why do I have the feeling that the jab was also directed to someone else?
Omarnosian10: MHA fans would know.
Ash: Also, I know you said it last chapter, but why didn't you want to make my traveling companion Hilda or Rosa, or one of the other female Gym Leaders?
Omarnosian10: It's part of my plan, and I find Georgia intriguing.
Georgia: *blushes* Really?
Omarnosian10: Not like that; I'm not a creep or pedophile.
Darwin: What's a pedophile?
Georgia: YOU'LL KNOW WHEN YOU'RE OLDER!
Omarnosian10: Agreed. And what I mean is the mystery behind your character. Everyone knows Burgundy wants to become a Pokémon Connaisseuse to spite Cilan, but no one knows why you wanna be a Dragon Buster.
Darwin: So you made me be the Paul to her Reggie?
Omarnosian10: I wouldn't go that far, and the motivations will be explained in a future chapter. ON WITH THE SHOW!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. If I did, it would've gone the Yu-Gi-Oh route and had Ash succeeded by someone, given Ash a sensible harem, done Unova better (like anyone would), or a lot of other stuff. All descriptions of Pokémon and most of their moves belong to Bulbapedia. A majority of this chapter before being edited by me belonged to 19jchoi's Unova Journeys.
"Normal"
'Thought'
"Communicating through a medium"
"Possessed"
"Telepathy"
Flashback or Dream
"[Poké-Speech]"
Chapter 3: A Sandile Gusher of Change
(Route 1)
"[Can't… go on like this.]" droned Tepig, weakly walking forth.
"[Me… either.]" grunted Purrloin, doing the same. At once, they dropped like sacks.
"[Tell… my mother… I love her.]" begged Tepig.
"[Only if you do the same for me.]" gasped Purrloin. At once, the two held paws/hooves, closing their eyes, off to a better place…
"…Aren't they being dramatic?" blinked Darwin. His sister facepalmed, agreeing while the humans stopped walking.
"[Please tell me I wasn't like this years ago.]" pleaded Pikachu to his Trainer. Guessing what his partner said, Ash made a 'so-so' motion.
"Not that I would blame ya. Iron Tail's difficult to learn for most Pokémon." True to Ash's words, the two of Darwin's Pokémon are unharmed. The only thing new about them is the frozen tails weighing them down; courtesy of Georgia's Beartic via Ice Beam per Ash's instructions for learning Iron Tail.
"Seriously?" blinked Darwin.
"Yeah… From what Roark told me, only the Onix and Aron lines can learn it naturally; others have to be taught," answered Ash.
"What about Steel Wing?" added Darwin, looking up at his mentor's Pidove flapping her frozen wings tiredly, yet remaining in midair.
"Same, but only with Skarmory by nature," noted Ash. Sighing, Darwin turned to his Pokémon.
"Return, you two. We'll continue later," said Darwin. His Pokémon only had time to gulp before returning.
"Wanna take a break, Pidove?" called Ash, continuing the walk.
"[No way! I'm not gonna slack off!]" shook Pidove, picking up speed. Darwin pitied the Normal/Flying-Type; when Ash looked to see if Pidove can learn Steel Wing, Darwin had to tell him how they can only have it as an Egg Move. Challenged, Ash became determined to teach her the Move, with the Tiny Pigeon Pokémon sharing it. Shrugging, Ash let her continue on, following.
"Out of curiosity, why isn't Gible learning Iron Tail?" asked Darwin.
"Have you seen his tail?" reminded Georgia. Darwin blinked, recalling the size.
"Yeah…" Suddenly, a bush rustles. Wary, the group stopped, Pidove even lowering to the ground.
"What's that?" frowned Georgia, preparing to grab a Poké Ball, yesterday's Watchog fiasco in mind. Her worries became unfounded when a familiar Water-Type Pokémon walks out.
"An Oshawott?" asked Darwin.
"[That's right; The Amazing, The Spectacular, Oshaw~ott!]" exclaimed Oshawott like a gameshow host, walking over to Ash. Ash blinked in surprise, remembering the Pokémon.
"It's you!" recalled Ash, taking out his Pokédex to scan Oshawott.
Oshawott, the Sea Otter Pokémon. Oshawott attacks and defends, using its scalchop that can be removed from its stomach.
"That soft Water Gun on my head… you were the one who showed me where Pikachu was! (Oshawott nods) Thanks for that!" thanked Ash.
"[No problem!]" accepted Oshawott happily.
"What brings you here?" asked Darwin. Oshawott responded by tugging Ash's jeans before going up Ash's shoulder, preparing to shove Pikachu off until the Electric-Type coated himself in his type.
"[Don't even think about it.]" growled Pikachu, getting Chikorita vibes. Oshawott leaped off of Ash's shoulder and explained his reasons for following them.
"Are you saying you like Ash?" asked Georgia.
"[Who freaking wouldn't?!]" exclaimed Oshawott happily, sparkly-eyed.
"Hey, Ash. I'm starting to get the feeling this Oshawott would like to be caught by you!" explained Georgia.
"Yeah?" asked Ash. Oshawott responded with many nods.
"That can happen?" gawked Darwin.
"Yeah, it's happened to me plenty of times, but just to be sure. Since you helped me out, do you want to come along with us?" asked Ash.
"[YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!]" screamed Oshawott. At his excitement, Ash chuckled before taking out an empty Poké Ball, squatting and holding it out. Paw-pumping, the Water-Type slapped the button… only for nothing to happen.
"Is the Poké Ball broken or something?" asked Darwin.
"It shouldn't be; I mean, this is from Professor Juniper's stash, so it should be recently made." denied Ash.
"[The lady with Vanillite hair?]" described Oshawott, tilting his head. At this, Georgia hummed.
"Hey Darwin, what Pokémon did you say that was left behind from the choices?" asked Georgia.
"Easy, it was an Osh… aw… ott…" trailed Darwin, the males widening their eyes.
"You're the same one from Professor Juniper's lab, aren't you?" asked Ash. Oshawott nodded, feeling happy for the realization.
"No wonder that Poké Ball didn't work; Oshawott isn't wild and his Poké Ball is at the lab! (turns back) Which is… miles away… and could set us back…" groaned Darwin.
"Don't worry little brother, we just need to find a Center or a place with a Transport System and the Poké Ball can be delivered to us," advised Georgia. Darwin snorted.
"OK, the Pokémon Center last night was a stroke of luck, but a random place with a Storage System? What are the odds of that?"
(Poké Mart)
"Greater than I thought." groaned Darwin at his sister's smug face while the two watch Ash talk on a video phone.
"That's where Oshawott went! I was so worried since Oshawott left without letting me know!" sighed Juniper, relieved.
"Yeah! Looks like Oshawott has been following us!" stated Ash.
"Since he was looking for Ash, that is," added Darwin.
"Well, Ash! If it wouldn't be too much of a bother, maybe you can take care of Oshawott, from now on!" chuckled Juniper.
"Wow! You don't mind?" asked Ash.
"Now, of course not! I'll send you his Poké Ball, right away!" chuckledJuniper. With that, the machine next to them brought a Poké Ball, which Ash took.
"Got it!"
"And, Ash! Since Oshawott has a tendency to disappear, keep an eye out!" reminded Juniper before hanging up.
"…Y'know, if we hadn't prepared beforehand, I'd bet we'd have to go through some hijinks or something to find him," said Ash dryly, leading the humans out the Mart to see the Sea Otter Pokémon… punching Beartic's paws with Gible besides him, flickers of Fighting-Type energy coating Oshawott's arms.
"Gotta admit, he's not doing so bad with learning Rock Smash." awed Georgia.
"It helps that he has two teachers instead of one." nodded Ash, re-scanning Oshawott.
This Oshawott is Male and has the Ability, Torrent. It has the Moves Tackle, Water Gun, Razor Shell, and Focus Energy.
"Basic, but nothing we can't improve on." smiled Ash.
"If you like, I can ask Beartic and Vanillite to teach him Ice Beam." smiled Georgia.
"Maybe later…" shook Ash before looking at his newest teammate. "Alright Oshawott, we got your Poké Ball! You can stop now!"
"[Finally!]" groaned Oshawott, falling onto his butt. Chucking, Ash returned him and Gible while Georgia did the same to Beartic.
"Alright, with that done, race ya!" shouted Darwin, running ahead and ignoring the empty feeling in him.
"Darwin, wait!" shouted Georgia, running after him.
"Not again!" groaned Ash, doing the same.
"C'mon slowpokes, at least try to—" taunted Darwin, turning his head… and gasping at the absence of the ground. "OH—"
"DARWIN!" shouted the teens, catching up to see a pit trap in place of the rookie.
"Ugh… My face…" groaned Darwin.
"You alright, man?" called Ash into it.
"No~ so help me outta here!" yelled Darwin. Taking out a rope, Ash brought it down with Georgia's help. A few tugs later, Darwin hugs the ledge.
"OK, who's stinking idea is it to make a hole almost twice my height in the middle of nowhere and cover it up?!" shouted Darwin, climbing out completely.
'Team Rocket.' thought Ash automatically, remembering all the pitfalls they made. He opened his mouth to voice it—
"Sandile." The group looked to the other side to see a light brunette green-eyed boy slightly shorter than the rookie.
"Sandile?" repeated Ash, searching in his Pokédex. The image that comes up is a short, quadrupedal Pokémon with a long snout and tail. Its body is mostly light brown with the exception of black stripes crossing over and under its legs and its pink underbelly. It has a black stripe on its snout in front of its eyes, and black covering the tip of its tail. Its eyes resemble shaded binoculars and are shrouded in black all around their front. Its long snout is tipped by two protruding nostrils, and its mouth comprises the bottom half. Its feet are flat and contain three sharp, black claws. They are attached to stubby legs on its sides.
Sandile, the Desert Croc Pokémon. Its dark membranes can protect its eyes from the sun, and it buries itself in the sand, with its eyes and nose sticking out.
"Wow…" replied Ash, feeling amazed with the new Pokémon.
"Aren't they supposed to be on Route 4?" asked Darwin, taking a wet towel the kid offered and wiping his face and glasses.
"Some must have congregated here." shrugged Georgia. Accepting it, Darwin gave back the towel.
"Thanks for that. The name's Darwin, by the way. The girl's my sister Georgia and the guy's Ash." introduced Darwin.
"Hi, my name is Dan! And my family and I operate a resort spa hotel that's not far from here!" explained Dan.
"Neat, my Pokémon can use one after the Iron Tail training," noted Darwin, the veterans nodding.
"Well, it makes me feel a lot happy about hearing that, but… It makes me really sad to say that we're closed right now. Because of Sandile." explained Dan sadly, confusing the group as he starts leading them.
"Don't tell me they're starting a revolution and using it as a base!" gasped Darwin.
"Darwin, I told you not to watch too many of those disaster movies." scolded Georgia, facepalming.
"Sad to say… I wished that was what they did. (finishes leading to the hotel with 'Lewis' branding) Our hot sand spas are our hotel's biggest attraction!" started Dan, opening a gate, and showing the contents. Suffice to say…
'Oh geez.' There were holes in many sand parts, trees have fallen, smooth rocks were heavily scratched, and a few other rocks were scattered around.
"Unfortunately, now it looks like this." sighed Dan.
"Whoa, that's too bad." pitied Ash.
"It just happened a short time ago…"
Flashback
At the hot sand spas, Dan and his father, a man in his early 30s with the same green eyes and darker brown hair named Theodore Lewis, were helping out the guests enjoy themselves in the hot sand.
"Okay, Dad. Is this about right?" asked Dan.
"Yes, it is, son! (Dan walks over) How is it? Looks like it feels great!" chuckled Theodore.
"Yes sir!"
"Now, you two have a relaxing time, okay?" asked Theodore. Just as the guests were about to relax, something came from the sands; a certain Ground/Dark-Type Pokémon with red-rimmed sunglasses.
"What's that?" asked a girl.
"It's a wild Sandile! They sure work a lot, since they enjoy a hot sand bath as well!" answered Theodore. As he talked, other wild Sandile appeared from the ground, near where the guests were. They seemed to be enjoying the hot springs too.
"[In position?!]" asked the leader.
"[Sir, yes sir!]"
"But don't worry. They won't hurt you!" chuckled Theodore.
"I guess it's fine." replied a man uneasily. Just then, the lead Sandile dug underground, kicking sand at the guests. At first, they ignored him until…
"[Begin procedure!]"
"[Sir, yes sir!]" The bask nodded before burrowing, following their leader. As they dug, trees fell over, rocks began to sink while pebbles rained onto the guests. Panicked, they screamed as they ran off, trying to avoid the wild Sandile. Dan and Theodore grew bewildered at what had happened right now.
"What in the world is going on with them?"
End Flashback
"So, for now, I'm afraid we're going to have to stay closed." finished Dan.
"It'd not like a Pokémon to be like this. How could some wild Sandile act violently when they were peaceful before?" asked Ash.
"Yeah. We don't have any idea, though." sighed Dan.
"Well, in case we'll have to battle them, it's not good to have our Pokémon stressed." pointed Darwin, taking out his Poké Balls.
"Good idea, they could use a break while we look." nodded Ash, doing the same along with Georgia.
"Everyone out!" In 9 flashes of blue, the group's Pokémon stood before them.
"Listen up, Darwin, Georgia, and I will be looking around the place for some Sandile! Until we have to battle, you can use the spa to relax!" ordered Ash.
"[Woohoo!/Alright!/Yeah!]" Various sounds of relief were heard before most of the Pokémon went in the sand in different depths.
"[No more frozen tail!]" cheered Purrloin, stirring her tail into the sand to melt off the ice. Tepig did the same.
"[My talons never felt softer.]" sighed Pidove, flexing them while rubbing her wings onto the sand.
"[Haven't felt this in a l~ong time.]" nodded Gible, relaxing.
"Alright." Satisfied, Darwin turns away. "With them occupied, for now, let's—"
"[Hello!]"
"Wha—GAH!" yelped Darwin, a small black/brown blur crashing into his upper body and tackling him into the sand.
"What is it with Pokémon tackling him?" asked Ash. Indeed, the one responsible is a light brown, canine Pokémon. He has oval, brown eyes, a red nose, and his face is covered by an abundance of cream fur. He has large pointed ears with a tuft of fur near the base of each. His fur puffs out above his paws, and his back has a spiky dark blue blaze. Each paw has three toes and a blue paw pad. He has a short, tufty tail. Quickly, Ash scanned him.
Lillipup, the Puppy Pokémon. The long hair covering Lillipup's face is an excellent radar, which senses conditions in the surrounding area.
"[My name is Lillipup. I have just met you and I love you.]" barked the Normal-Type, nuzzling onto Darwin's face.
"Haha, stop! That tickles!" laughed Darwin. Georgia smiled softly at her brother.
"Is this Lillipup one of yours?" asked Ash.
"No, he's just a regular that's been coming here the last few weeks," answered Dan.
"Like the Sandile?" worried Georgia.
"No, he's way more sociable, and besides, from what I've seen, he doesn't know Dig." waved Dan.
"That sounds nice." nodded Ash.
"The only problem though…" As if answering, a yellow spray bottle dropped out of Lillipup's fur.
"Is that an Antidote?!" noted Ash.
"Yeah… he has a tendency to find and sometimes steal stuff before dropping it off at the front gate." sighed Dan, picking it up.
"I know someone like that," muttered Ash, thinking of Tokin.
"He's done it so often that my family had an entire room for the stuff he found," added Dan.
"I'm surprised the place didn't get any complaints." blinked Georgia.
"We did at first, but after some clearing up, Lillipup's 'fetching' is dismissed as playing and most of the things he found were returned." corrected Dan.
"Man, his Pickup Ability must be neat," noted Darwin, picking up Lillipup and petting him.
"[Thank you!]" nodded Lillipup with a smile… before dropping it, hopping out of Darwin's arms, and growling at the spa.
"I thought you said he was friendly?" asked Ash, brow raised. The growling doesn't look focused on the Pokémon.
"He is. He only does that when…" Suddenly, the sand bursts, revealing a familiar Pokémon and completing Dan's statement.
"[Get out!]"
"You see!? That's the leader of the Sandile!" called Dan. Before anyone could react, Sandile swiftly grabbed, by his mouth—
"No! Pikachu!" gasped Ash. His Starter grunted in pain, feeling the jaws dig deep into his skin.
"Why that little…" Darwin didn't finish his potential swear when a familiar energy coats Pikachu's free arm before he chops himself free with it. "Since when does Pikachu know Rock Smash?"
"That wasn't Rock Smash; that was Brick Break!" realized Ash, his partner running to him while Sandile shakes his head.
"But how?" questioned Darwin.
"One of my rivals and a friend of mine have Pokémon that used the Move plenty of times. My best guess is that Pikachu put what he remembered and combined it with the Rock Smash training," noted Ash. Any more inquiries were cut off by a high-pitched scream unfamiliar to the Kantonian but not to the Langleys.
"Vanillite!" gasped Georgia, seeing the stubborn Sandile keeping the Ice-Type in his jaws.
"[Help me, Master!]" pleaded Vanillite. At her cries, the Trainer ran over, grabbing Sandile.
"Now, let go of my Vanillite or else!" demanded Georgia. Sandile resisted the pull as he held onto Axew tightly in his jaws. Darwin and his Pokémon ran over to help out.
"Open your mouth! Come on!" called Darwin. Everyone then began to pull, with Vanillite shrieking in pain. Ash and his Pokémon watched as they tried to think of something. Suddenly, an idea came to Ash's mind.
"Gible, use Dig!" called Ash. Gible nodded as he burrowed, preparing for the surprise Attack. Sandile didn't notice, since he was being pulled by the two humans and the two Pokémon. Suddenly, the sand under him bursts, exposing—
"[Take this!]" screamed Gible, striking at Sandile's belly, making the Ground/Dark-type release Vanillite… and all the others fall on their bottom.
"Are you alright, Vanillite? (she nods) Thank you, Ash!" smiled Georgia, hugging her Ice-Type.
"[Why you—]" Angered, he lunged, grabbing Pikachu by his left paw, Oshawott by his left foot, and Purrloin by his tail. All three Pokémon gasped as they were dragged by the Desert Croc Pokémon. The three trainers turned in surprise.
"Pikachu! Oshawott!"
"Purrloin!"
"[I don't wanna die!]" cried Oshawott.
"Gible, use—"
"[AH, MY TAIL!]" The scream cut off the potential order. Looking back, they see more Sandile grabbing their Pokémon; Pidove, Tepig, Vanillite, Pawniard, and in mouths (with the latter two having teeth coated in flames via weak Fire Fang), Beartic lying on a bunch with pupils swirling via Swagger, Deerling even being dragged with Fire Fang, and finally, Gible being dragged by his tail, making him scream.
"How many Sandile are in this place?!" gawked Darwin.
"I don't know! I tried counting them a lot but I never got it right!" answered Dan. Worried, the group chased them. It wasn't until a minute or so later that the bask stopped at a fair distance before releasing or letting down the Pokémon.
"Is everyone alright?!" yelled Ash. At once, all the group's Pokémon huddled around their Trainers, relieved. The only exception is Beartic, who's stumbling in place.
"[Alright, which one of you used Swagger on the big guy?]" asked the leader, glaring at his bask.
"[My bad…]" gulped a random Sandile. Seeing Beartic's condition, Georgia returned him.
"Return, everyone," ordered Darwin, doing the same, followed by Ash.
"[Listen up!]" called the leader. The group turned to the leader, who jerked his head to his right.
"What is he doing?" asked Darwin, wary of an attack.
"I think he wants to show us something." guessed Ash. The humans looked, seeing a group of—
"Those Pokémon… Patrat, Pidove, and Deerling? What are they doing here?" asked Georgia. Wordlessly, Ash called the two out. The leader Sandile walked up to the top of the rock, making an announcement.
"[Don't worry, everyone! Me and my bask will take you all to a safe place, far from the geysers!]" called Sandile.
"[Geysers?!]" shouted the Pokémon before tumbling around.
"Man, it's too bad no one here speaks Pokémon." winced Darwin.
"Pikachu, what is Sandile saying?" asked Ash. Forming and maintaining Iron Tail, Pikachu began using his tail to draw onto the ground.
"Since when can a Pokémon draw?" asked Darwin.
"Pikachu's been taking classes from a friend of mine back in Kanto for stuff like this," answered Ash.
"Think you can recommend him to Darwin? He's horrible at art," smirked Georgia.
"No I'm not!" denied Darwin.
"Darwin, your last kindergarten drawing was supposed to be a beach, not…" paused Georgia, taking out a scrapbook, embarrassing her brother while surfing through it before stopping at a page. Once she's shown it to Ash…
"That… looks nothing like a beach!" gasped Ash.
"[The horror!]" choked Pidove, covering her eyes with her wing.
"[My eyes! They burn!]" screamed Deerling, shaking his head with his eyes shut. At their reactions, Darwin quietly hissed before looking at Pikachu's drawing, hoping to change the subject.
"OK, let's forget about that and worry about… an upside-down mountain?" guessed Darwin. Following his sight, the veterans had one thought cross their minds.
'That looks nothing like a mountain, even upside down!'
"No, that looks more like… a geyser?!" gawked Ash.
"Geysers?… Of course! That must be why Sandile brought everyone here!" exclaimed Georgia. As if proving the Electric-Type right, a burst of hot water came, bursting from the ground and causing further panic.
"That's a geyser all right," mumbled Ash. Steam began to surround everyone as the geysers burst even closer.
"[We need to move now!]" called the leader. With that, all the other Pokémon began to follow him, with the humans doing the same.
"This makes no sense! My family's been working at this spa for generations and not once did anything about geysers happened!" panicked Dan.
"And there shouldn't be any volcanoes in Route 1! The only place to have them is Reversal Mountain! And that's on the other side of Unova!" added Darwin.
"Maybe a digging Pokémon went too far down?" guessed Ash. Before his theory could be questioned, more rumbling occurred.
"That sounds huge!" called Dan. Suddenly, one side of the ground burst. Everyone turned to see a geyser bursting up, shooting boiling water into the air, the steam forcing the humans to shield their eyes. Once it died down, they unshielded them… only to widen them at the sight of boiling water surrounding all the Pidove, Patrat, and Deerling in a makeshift moat. All of them began to shiver and panic, wondering what was going to happen to them. Some parts of the land began to break apart, making trouble for the wild Pokémon.
"They're surrounded by boiling water! Now, what do we do?" asked Darwin.
"It's gonna be trouble if another big one blows!" reminded Dan. As Dan finished, there was another rumble.
"Seriously Dan?!" blamed Darwin.
"Calm down, you two. (takes out Poké Balls) We need to cool down the water! Vanillite, Beartic, use Ice Beam on the water!" ordered Georgia, throwing the Balls up.
"[Yes Master.]" Appearing side-by-side, the two Ice-Types opened their mouths, identical orbs of energy forming in them. Being exhaled on, they fired multiple icy blue beams of energy onto the water, creating two pathways of ice.
"Nice work Gia!" praised Ash, using Darwin's nickname.
"All they need to do is slide across it and they'll be free!" smiled Darwin… only to drop it at the rapidly melting paths and steam fogging his glasses. "OH COME ON!"
"The water's too hot and cooling it down could make too much steam!" frowned Ash.
"That explains why the Pidove flock isn't flying over; the steam's too thick up there to see anything!" noted Georgia, looking up. Growling, the lead Sandile watches the path dissipate, an idea forming.
"[A bridge… that could work! Bask, perform Formation—Beta!]" ordered the leader.
"[Sir, yes sir!]" The bask nodded before lining up with their leader, who bit into a rock. With that, other Sandile began to bite onto each other's tails.
"What are they trying to do?" asked Georgia.
"I know! The Sandile are making the bridge!" exclaimed Ash, grinning with the idea. Darwin, Georgia, and Dan witness the bridge completing.
"Good luck, Sandile!" called Dan.
"You can do it!" cheered Georgia. The Sandile bridge fell down, making a bridge for the Pokémon to cross on.
"Yeah! Awesome! Everyone! Cross over the bridge!" called Ash. But, to their surprise, the Pokémon grew hesitant, not crossing the bridge.
"What's the matter?" asked Darwin, wiping his glasses.
"They're frightened, because of the boiling water," answered Georgia.
"Well, you saw what happened when we tried cooling it down! The steam can make the situation worse!" groaned Darwin.
"Hey! You've got to hurry and cross!" called Dan. But, yet again, the Pokémon were still hesitant. None of them seemed sure of this idea. Determined Ash's Pidove and Deerling nod to each other before crossing, the former even by talons.
"Pidove, Deerling, be careful!" warned Ash, resisting the urge to follow. Nodding, his Pokémon reached the other side.
"[Look, I know my Trainer and his friends are strangers to you all, but if you can't trust them, trust us!]" spoke Pidove.
"[She's right! Us Normal-Types and fellow Deerling and Pidove need to stick together!]" declared Deerling. Slowly, but surely, the frightened Pokémon nod, their fear lessened. Satisfied, the two began leading in a single-file line.
"They did it!" smiled Ash, proud.
"Nice work!" nodded Georgia.
"Pick up the pace!" called Darwin. At his words, the line did so. Unfortunately, one wild Deerling was so much in haste that her back hooves became covered in Fighting-Type energy and she sprung over the trained Pokémon, striking against the last Sandile's eyes.
"[AGH!]" The Super-Effective Move on the most vital external organs made the Sandile loosen his grip, lowering the side of the bridge.
"OH NO!" screamed the humans, watching the nearest Sandile fall towards the water…
"[Have no fear! Lillipup is here!]" The Puppy Pokémon sprinted from behind the humans and forms a familiar Move over her mouth, catching the Sandile and straightening the bridge.
"Whew!" sighed Darwin, wiping sweat.
"That was close." nodded Ash.
"Yeah… (kneels and pets Lillipup) Thanks for the save, Lillipup!" praised Darwin. The only sign of acknowledgment is his tail wagging. After a few minutes, all the wild Pokémon had crossed. Once they did…
"[THIS IS FOR ALMOST KILLING US ALL, YOU IDIOT/MORON!]" screamed the herd and flock towards the Deerling that used Double Kick earlier. At their murderous expressions, she can only gulp.
"[Uh-oh.]" That was all she said before being pelted by dozens of Moves, the Pidove flock's hurting the most.
"…Should we help?" winced Dan.
"Considering that the Double Kick was on that Sandile's eyes, I don't think so." scowled Darwin. Before Dan could counter, a few more geysers came up before the boiling water began to fall towards the group.
"Are you serious?" groaned Georgia.
"Pidove, use Gust! Oshawott, Water Gun!" ordered Ash, bringing out the latter.
"Beartic, Vanillite, Ice Beam!" added Georgia, following Ash's lead.
"Tepig, Ember!" finished Darwin, bringing out his Starter.
"[Yes!/Right!/Understood!]" The Pokémon nod at their Trainers ordered before firing their attacks; the Gust redirecting the water away, the Ice Beam cooling it down to harmless raindrops, and the Ember evaporating the water. Once they were out of danger, the group relaxed, with the Sandile bridge coming back and deforming.
"That was pretty crazy, you guys and girl." smiled Ash, petting his Pokémon.
"Thanks for the help, you two." smiled Georgia, hugging her Ice-Types.
"Nice work, Tepig." praised Darwin, petting his Starter. All their Pokémon took in their gratitude with pride.
"[Thank you, thank you very much!]" bowed Oshawott with an accent.
"Are you sure the geysers are gone?" asked Dan nervously. The group tensed, waiting. After a minute or two, they felt relieved.
"I guess so." nodded Darwin.
(Later… Hotel)
"Man, this is relaxing…" Darwin, Tepig, and all the group's Pokémon are all relaxing in the hot springs, the former wearing orange/teal swimwear covering his legs and torso.
"Well, son? What do you think of our new hot spring?" asked Theodore. Dan and his family reopened the hotel, due to the hot spring replacing the hot sand.
"I'm sorry the geysers caused us to lose the sand spa, but this is incredible!" exclaimed Dan.
"Speaking of 'us', where are the other two?" asked Theodore.
"They're still changing into their swimsuits. They should be back right about—"
"Man, this brings back memories!" True to Dan's prediction, Ash walked out of the changing area, wearing blue trunks before sliding into the water, sighing.
"You've enjoyed hot springs before?" quirked Darwin.
"Last year, back in Sinnoh." nodded Ash. Pikachu did the same, remembering Leona.
"Well, this is a first for me; Iccirus City doesn't have any springs," explained Darwin.
"This is a first for me, too," announced Georgia, walking out of her changing area in a two-piece teal bikini. At the sight of each other, she and Ash entered a daze, their cheeks flushed at the sight of their bodies.
"ACK! STOP IT! THAT TICKLES!" They snap out of their trance at the sight of Lillipup licking the rookie's cheek.
"Lillipup really likes you!" chuckled Dan. Humming at the sight, Theodore rubs his chin before snapping his fingers.
"Why don't you let Lillipup go with you?" At his suggestion, he got various looks.
"Take Lillipup with me?" echoed Darwin, rubbing the Normal-Type's back.
"Yeah, Lillipup's pretty affectionate with you, and from what my son told me, you'd be a good Trainer for him." smiled Theodore.
"Really?" blinked Darwin. Georgia smiled at her brother proudly.
"You don't have to decide right now; you have all night and the morning for that." negotiated Theodore, having booked the group a room for the night.
"[Please! (sits straight) Take me with you, I'll be a good boy!]" barked Lillipup, having puppy-eyes. Almost everyone's heart clenched at the sight, save for…
"You don't need to beg, you know." deadpanned Darwin. At his words, Lillipup pouted until reassessing them.
"[Don't need to? Does that mean… (Darwin takes out an empty Poké Ball) Thank you, future Master!]" cheered Lillipup before pawing the button, letting the sphere absorb him.
*Beep… Beep… Beep… DING!*
"I caught a Lillipup," whispered Darwin, feeling different from when he caught Purrloin. 'Then again, Lillipup's the first Pokémon that wanted to come with me without battling.'
"Congratulations, little brother." praised Georgia, sliding beside Ash and keeping a small distance away.
"Thanks." nodded Darwin before taking out a Pokédex (thankful that it's waterproof) and scanning the Poké Ball.
This Lillipup is Male and has the Ability, Pickup. It has the Moves Leer, Tackle, Odor Sleuth, and Bite.
Learning more about his new capture, Darwin can only smile softly at the Poké Ball.
"Welcome to the team, pal."
Ash's Pokémon Team
Pikachu (M): Ability: Static. Moves: Agility, Thunder, Iron Tail, Quick Attack, Volt Tackle, Thunderbolt, Fusion Bolt, Brick Break
Gible (M): Ability: Sand Veil. Moves: Dig, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Rock Smash, Incinerate
Deerling (M): Ability: Chlorophyll. Moves: Tackle, Camouflage, Growl, Agility
Pidove (F): Ability: Super Luck. Moves: Gust, Quick Attack, Air Cutter, Leer
Oshawott (M): Ability: Torrent. Moves: Tackle, Water Gun, Razor Shell, Rock Smash
Darwin's Pokémon Team
Tepig (F): Ability: Blaze. Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Ember
Purrloin (F): Ability: Limber. Moves: Scratch, Growl, Assist
Lillipup (M): Ability: Pickup. Moves: Leer, Tackle, Odor Sleuth, Bite
Georgia's Pokémon Team
Beartic (M): Ability: Snow Cloak. Moves: Slash, Night Slash, Icicle Crash, Ice Beam, Rock Smash
Pawniard (F): Ability: Defiant. Moves: Metal Claw, Iron Head, Guillotine
Vanillite (F): Ability: Ice Body. Moves: Avalanche, Mist, Icicle Spear, Ice Beam
Omarnosian10: Who doesn't love puppies?
Darwin: No one?
Omarnosian10: RIGHT! Speaking of which, Lillipup here is inspired by Dug from the Pixar movie "Up" and the Disney+ show "Dug Days".
Ash: Nice!
Omarnosian10: On the note of inspiration, Dan's family name is based on the father's English Dub voice actor, Ted Lewis, where I got the name Theodore from.
Ash: Isn't Theodore the name of the guy with a Gliscor in the Ping-Pong Tournament back in Sinnoh?
Omarnosian10: Don't judge me on that. A lot of "characters of the day" share names.
Ash: True.
Omarnosian10: And to explain the list above, underlined equals newly-learned Move or Pokémon, italic means unmastered, and when it does, it'll be bold.
Darwin: Weren't my Tepig and Purrloin trying to learn Iron Tail?
Omarnosian10: They haven't activated the Move, unmastered or otherwise, so it's not listed.
Darwin: Alright. Before anyone asks; no, Pikachu won't be learning a Move every Chapter or so. Brick Break was easy with Brock's Croagunk and Paul's Electivire using it in front of Pikachu dozens of times. Am I forgetting anything?
Georgia: I don't think so.
Omarnosian10: Good. SMOKEBOMB!
